Psych 2300 - Final Exam questions
well answered to pass 2025/2026
Seeing Red Experiment - correct answer ✔✔- *color red would be associated with danger or
failure,* and that it would elicit an avoidance orientation (at least when it was presented in an
achievement context).
- Researchers expected that seeing the color red before a task would result in *impaired
performance.*
- If you activate danger or failure, you will put them into an avoidance mindset (the concept)
- The avoidance mindset would take away performance ability
Seeing Red Experiment (Experiment 1) - correct answer ✔✔- 71 undergraduates were recruited
for a study that involved solving anagrams (e.g., NIDRK = DRINK). They were randomly assigned
to one of three color conditions
- For each condition, the participant's number was printed in black, green, or red ink in the top
corner of each page of the anagram packet.
- After a practice trial, all participants were asked to solve as many anagrams (out of 15) as they
could in 5 minutes.
^^ (This is if you have an association between red & green)
- There was a performance inhibition when participants saw red
- *Potential Flaw in the study:* Red doesn't make you worse, black and green are making you
better/increasing performance; red is the baseline for performance
Eating Pasta Study - correct answer ✔✔- 68 college students were provided with pasta for lunch
- Participants were *randomly assigned* to a *"large bowl"* or a *"medium bowl"* condition
- Participants *served themselves* as much pasta as they wanted from either a large or medium
bowl.
- *DV:* Plates were weighed
,1. After *participants served themselves* the pasta
2. *Again* after they had *finished eating*
- Results: People who were randomly assigned a large bowl ate more than people who got a
medium bowl
- Medium bowl issue: part of the reason people w/ medium bowls didn't eat as much because
they were "too lazy" to go back and get more (even though they could have as much as they
wanted)
What is the main reason that researchers conduct experiments? - correct answer ✔✔To make
causal claims (You want to say that A causes B and put a period at the end.)
What are the two central components of an experiment? - correct answer ✔✔- Want at least
one variable that is *manipulated*
- *Independent variable:* its variation is *independent* of, not influenced by, the other
variables.
- *Researcher controls* the value (levels) of the *independent variable(s)* (IV)
- Want at least one variable that is *measured*
- *Dependent variable:* it is left free to vary on its own, *dependent* only on any changes in
the manipulated variable.
- *Researcher measures* the effect of differing levels of the independent variable on the
*dependent variable(s)* (DV)
Random Selection v Random Assignment - correct answer ✔✔- *Random Selection* =
generalizability (external validity)
- *Random Assignment* = ensures *differences are due to independent variable* (internal
validity)
What's a control variable? - correct answer ✔✔- Aspects that are held constant for the study
, Why do experimenters use control variables? - correct answer ✔✔1. Prevent variation rules
control variables out as *third variables*
2. Helps improve *internal validity.*
3. Random assignment deals with *most variables....*
What are the *3 Rules for Causation?* - correct answer ✔✔*1. Covariance*
- The *2 variables* must be *associated*
*2. Temporal Precedence*
- The *cause* must come *before* the *effect*
*3. Internal Validity* (3rd variable rule)
- Alternative explanations are ruled out
Internal Validity for Rules of Causation - correct answer ✔✔- *Concerned w/ systematic
variance* when thinking about internal validity
- Want to *rule out* every imaginable *3rd variable*
What is Covariance? - correct answer ✔✔- the *probability theory between 2 variables*; its
*measurable*
- Example: The colder it is, the more people wear hats.
- The warmer it is, the more water people drink
What are 3 types of Intergroup Comparisons? - correct answer ✔✔1. Control Group
2. Placebo Control Group
3. Comparison Group
Control Group - correct answer ✔✔- Level of the IV that represents *"no treatment"* or neutral
condition
well answered to pass 2025/2026
Seeing Red Experiment - correct answer ✔✔- *color red would be associated with danger or
failure,* and that it would elicit an avoidance orientation (at least when it was presented in an
achievement context).
- Researchers expected that seeing the color red before a task would result in *impaired
performance.*
- If you activate danger or failure, you will put them into an avoidance mindset (the concept)
- The avoidance mindset would take away performance ability
Seeing Red Experiment (Experiment 1) - correct answer ✔✔- 71 undergraduates were recruited
for a study that involved solving anagrams (e.g., NIDRK = DRINK). They were randomly assigned
to one of three color conditions
- For each condition, the participant's number was printed in black, green, or red ink in the top
corner of each page of the anagram packet.
- After a practice trial, all participants were asked to solve as many anagrams (out of 15) as they
could in 5 minutes.
^^ (This is if you have an association between red & green)
- There was a performance inhibition when participants saw red
- *Potential Flaw in the study:* Red doesn't make you worse, black and green are making you
better/increasing performance; red is the baseline for performance
Eating Pasta Study - correct answer ✔✔- 68 college students were provided with pasta for lunch
- Participants were *randomly assigned* to a *"large bowl"* or a *"medium bowl"* condition
- Participants *served themselves* as much pasta as they wanted from either a large or medium
bowl.
- *DV:* Plates were weighed
,1. After *participants served themselves* the pasta
2. *Again* after they had *finished eating*
- Results: People who were randomly assigned a large bowl ate more than people who got a
medium bowl
- Medium bowl issue: part of the reason people w/ medium bowls didn't eat as much because
they were "too lazy" to go back and get more (even though they could have as much as they
wanted)
What is the main reason that researchers conduct experiments? - correct answer ✔✔To make
causal claims (You want to say that A causes B and put a period at the end.)
What are the two central components of an experiment? - correct answer ✔✔- Want at least
one variable that is *manipulated*
- *Independent variable:* its variation is *independent* of, not influenced by, the other
variables.
- *Researcher controls* the value (levels) of the *independent variable(s)* (IV)
- Want at least one variable that is *measured*
- *Dependent variable:* it is left free to vary on its own, *dependent* only on any changes in
the manipulated variable.
- *Researcher measures* the effect of differing levels of the independent variable on the
*dependent variable(s)* (DV)
Random Selection v Random Assignment - correct answer ✔✔- *Random Selection* =
generalizability (external validity)
- *Random Assignment* = ensures *differences are due to independent variable* (internal
validity)
What's a control variable? - correct answer ✔✔- Aspects that are held constant for the study
, Why do experimenters use control variables? - correct answer ✔✔1. Prevent variation rules
control variables out as *third variables*
2. Helps improve *internal validity.*
3. Random assignment deals with *most variables....*
What are the *3 Rules for Causation?* - correct answer ✔✔*1. Covariance*
- The *2 variables* must be *associated*
*2. Temporal Precedence*
- The *cause* must come *before* the *effect*
*3. Internal Validity* (3rd variable rule)
- Alternative explanations are ruled out
Internal Validity for Rules of Causation - correct answer ✔✔- *Concerned w/ systematic
variance* when thinking about internal validity
- Want to *rule out* every imaginable *3rd variable*
What is Covariance? - correct answer ✔✔- the *probability theory between 2 variables*; its
*measurable*
- Example: The colder it is, the more people wear hats.
- The warmer it is, the more water people drink
What are 3 types of Intergroup Comparisons? - correct answer ✔✔1. Control Group
2. Placebo Control Group
3. Comparison Group
Control Group - correct answer ✔✔- Level of the IV that represents *"no treatment"* or neutral
condition
