PSY 520 Topic 1 Exercises

SAMUEL MORGAN TOPIC 1 EXERCISES Complete the following exercises from "Review Questions" located at the end of each chapter and put them into a Word document to be submitted as directed by the instructor. 1. Chapter 1, numbers 1.8 and 1.9 2. Chapter 2, numbers 2.14, 2.17, and 2.18 3. Chapter 3, numbers 3.13, 3.14, 3.18, and 3.19 4. Chapter 4, numbers 4.9, 4.14, 4.17, and 4.19 Show all relevant work; use the equation editor in Microsoft Word when necessary. 1.8 Indicate whether each of the following studies is an experiment or an observational study. If it is an experiment, identify the independent variable and note any possible confounding variables. (a) A psychologist uses chimpanzees to test the notion that more crowded living conditions trigger aggressive behavior. Chimps are placed, according to an impartial assignment rule, in cages with either one, several, or many other chimps. Subsequently, during a standard observation period, each chimp is assigned a score based on its aggressive behavior toward a chimp-like stuffed doll. Response: This is an experiment because the investigator has manipulated the number of chimps in the cage. The independent variable is the number of chimps in the cage and the dependent variable is the aggressive response. The confounding variables could include the chimps natural tendency towards aggression, the age of the chimps and any possible differences in the chimps environment such as the condition of the cages, the behavior of the handlers, the weather or the diet of the chimpanzees. (b) An investigator wishes to test whether, when compared with recognized, professional scientists; recognized, professional artists tend to be born under different astrological signs. Response: This is an observational study because no variable is being manipulated by the investigator. (c) To determine whether there is a relationship between the sexual codes of primitive tribes and their behavior toward neighboring tribes, an anthropologist consults available records, classifying each tribe on the basis of its sexual codes (permissive or repressive) and its behavior toward neighboring tribes (friendly or hostile). Response: This is an observational study because no variable is being manipulated by the investigator. SAMUEL MORGAN TOPIC 1 EXERCISES (d) In a study of group problem solving, an investigator assigns college students to groups of two, three, or four students and measures the amount of time required by each group to solve a complex puzzle. Response: This is an experimental study because the investigator manipulates the number of students in each group. The independent variable is the number of students