UVA PSYCHOLOGY SELECTION MOCK EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS RATED A+
QUESTION:
In a study using 'blind observers' among children at a primary school in Amsterdam, it was
found that those who had been breast-fed had a higher IQ, on average, than those who had not
been breast-fed. On the basis of this outcome, a journalist wrote an article with the heading:
"Breastfeeding leads to higher IQ". What is the main reason that this conclusion stated in the
newspaper headline is not justified by the study described above?
CORRECT ANSWER:
There are other possible explanations for the results of the study.
QUESTION:
In a stress study among a group of test subjects, the researcher finds a correlation between
variable A and variable B that is equal to 0.6. What does this mean?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The test subjects who score higher on variable A also score higher on variable B, on average.
QUESTION:
What is a solution to the effect of observer bias?
CORRECT ANSWER:
A 'blind' study design.
QUESTION:
A researcher evaluates 20 photographs of people with different facial expressions (e.g., angry,
sad, etc.). He puts the photographs into one of two categories: negative facial expressions and
, positive facial expressions. Unconsciously, he puts photos of people he finds attractive more
often in the positive category. What is happening here?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Observer bias.
QUESTION:
A researcher would like to know more about the attitudes of the Amsterdam population aged
between 18 and 50 years with respect to factory farming. To do this, he positions himself during
the morning rush hour at the main entrance of Amsterdam Central Station and asks everyone
who happens to pass by whether they live in Amsterdam and whether they would like to
answer a few questions about factory farming. What type of random sampling is this?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Convenience sampling.
QUESTION:
Observer bias occurs when a researcher…
CORRECT ANSWER:
Incorrectly observes the situation being studied.
QUESTION:
Observer effects occur when the observer…
CORRECT ANSWER:
Affects the situation being studied.
QUESTION:
What is an example of an 'unobtrusive measure'?
CORRECT ANSWER:
A researcher determines the popularity of diet potato chips by looking at how many have been
eaten after the end of a birthday party.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS RATED A+
QUESTION:
In a study using 'blind observers' among children at a primary school in Amsterdam, it was
found that those who had been breast-fed had a higher IQ, on average, than those who had not
been breast-fed. On the basis of this outcome, a journalist wrote an article with the heading:
"Breastfeeding leads to higher IQ". What is the main reason that this conclusion stated in the
newspaper headline is not justified by the study described above?
CORRECT ANSWER:
There are other possible explanations for the results of the study.
QUESTION:
In a stress study among a group of test subjects, the researcher finds a correlation between
variable A and variable B that is equal to 0.6. What does this mean?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The test subjects who score higher on variable A also score higher on variable B, on average.
QUESTION:
What is a solution to the effect of observer bias?
CORRECT ANSWER:
A 'blind' study design.
QUESTION:
A researcher evaluates 20 photographs of people with different facial expressions (e.g., angry,
sad, etc.). He puts the photographs into one of two categories: negative facial expressions and
, positive facial expressions. Unconsciously, he puts photos of people he finds attractive more
often in the positive category. What is happening here?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Observer bias.
QUESTION:
A researcher would like to know more about the attitudes of the Amsterdam population aged
between 18 and 50 years with respect to factory farming. To do this, he positions himself during
the morning rush hour at the main entrance of Amsterdam Central Station and asks everyone
who happens to pass by whether they live in Amsterdam and whether they would like to
answer a few questions about factory farming. What type of random sampling is this?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Convenience sampling.
QUESTION:
Observer bias occurs when a researcher…
CORRECT ANSWER:
Incorrectly observes the situation being studied.
QUESTION:
Observer effects occur when the observer…
CORRECT ANSWER:
Affects the situation being studied.
QUESTION:
What is an example of an 'unobtrusive measure'?
CORRECT ANSWER:
A researcher determines the popularity of diet potato chips by looking at how many have been
eaten after the end of a birthday party.
