Question 1

Which of the following best describes a limitation of lab research in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Lab research is less natural and may not reflect real-life situations.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the effect of sleep on memory. She assigns participants to two groups: one sleeps 8 hours, the other sleeps 4 hours. She then measures their memory performance. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable (DV)?

Accepted Answer

The memory performance measured after sleep.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key advantage of cross-sectional studies in life-span development research?

Accepted Answer

They compare different age groups at one point in time, making them efficient.

Question 4

A psychologist is interested in how cognitive abilities change as people age. She follows the same group of participants and tests them every five years for 30 years. What type of research design is she using?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates a cohort effect in developmental research?

Accepted Answer

A difference in attitudes between people born in the 1950s and those born in the 1990s, unrelated to their age.

Question 6

In an experiment, the control group is used to:

Accepted Answer

Serve as a comparison for the experimental group.

Question 7

Which of the following is a disadvantage of longitudinal studies?

Accepted Answer

They are subject to participant drop-out and can be very time-consuming.

Question 8

A researcher conducts a study comparing the memory abilities of 20-year-olds, 40-year-olds, and 60-year-olds at the same time. Which research design is being used?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional study

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the purpose of debriefing in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To inform participants about the study's purpose and methods after participation.

Question 10

A study generalizes findings from male participants to females without sufficient evidence. This is an example of which type of bias?

Accepted Answer

Gender bias

Question 11

Which of the following is required for informed consent in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Participants must agree to participate after being informed about the study.

Question 12

A researcher wants to determine if a new teaching method causes better test scores. Which research method should she use to best establish causality?

Accepted Answer

Controlled lab experiment

Question 13

Which of the following statements about naturalistic observation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It is conducted in real-life settings and has less control over variables.

Question 14

In an experiment, the independent variable (IV) is:

Accepted Answer

The variable that is manipulated to create different experiences for groups.

Question 15

A researcher is interested in whether birth order affects intelligence. She compares first-born and later-born children at age 10. Which potential confound should she be most concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Generation or birth period effects

Question 16

Which of the following best describes a cross-sectional study?

Accepted Answer

It compares different age groups at a single point in time.

Question 17

A psychologist wants to study the effect of a new therapy on anxiety. She randomly assigns participants to either the new therapy or a standard therapy, then measures anxiety levels. Which group is the experimental group?

Accepted Answer

The group receiving the new therapy.

Question 18

Which of the following is a common disadvantage of cross-sectional studies in developmental research?

Accepted Answer

They are subject to cohort effects, making it hard to separate age from generational influences.

Question 19

A researcher finds that older adults in her study have lower memory scores than younger adults. She wonders if this is due to age or to differences in education between the groups. This concern is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A cohort effect

Question 20

Which of the following best summarizes the difference between the control group and the experimental group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The experimental group receives the independent variable manipulation, while the control group does not.

Research Methods and Ethics in Developmental Psychology

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