Which investigative approach is most commonly utilized in psychology to examine causal connections between variables:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. Experimental method
Explanation
The experimental method is uniquely designed to isolate variables and demonstrate direct causal relationships. Manipulating an independent variable while holding other factors constant rules out alternative explanations. Researchers rely on controlled experimentation because correlation alone cannot prove that one factor causes another. Experiments utilize random assignment to distribute individual differences evenly across different study conditions. Standardized procedures ensure that every participant experiences identical conditions except for the manipulated variable. Statistical hypothesis testing confirms whether the observed changes are statistically meaningful and reliable.
Clinical trials use experimental methods to verify that a medical treatment is effective before public release. Psychologists run controlled experiments to test whether new behavioral interventions successfully reduce anxiety symptoms. Researchers in various scientific fields depend on experiments to build reliable and actionable theoretical frameworks. The correlational method identifies statistical relationships between variables but cannot establish directional causation. Naturalistic observation records real world behaviors without manipulating conditions, which prevents causal conclusions. Participant observation gathers descriptive qualitative data without providing the strict variable control required for causation.
- Subject
- Psychology
- Category
- Psychology
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
Related questions
Q1. Which segment of a nerve cell is specialized for signal transmission: ___________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. axon
The axon is structurally elongated to facilitate the rapid transmission of electrical signals across long biological distances. It projects away from the neuronal cell body to deliver messages to downstream target cells...
Q2. What serves as the primary neural bridge connecting the brain with hormonal glands: ____________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. hypothalamus
The hypothalamus serves as the primary neural bridge to the endocrine glands. It integrates nervous system signals and controls hormone release via the pituitary. This brain structure coordinates autonomic responses with...
Q3. Which emotional response dimension is primarily evaluated by polygraph equipment?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. physiological arousal
Polygraph devices measure physiological arousal like heart rate, skin conductance, and respiration. Changes in autonomic nervous system activity reflect emotional stress rather than direct dishonesty. The underlying assu...
Q4. With which scientific discipline is the academic study of psychology most closely aligned?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. The science to philosophy
Psychology originated as an offshoot of philosophical inquiry before adopting empirical scientific research methods. Early thinkers pondered questions about the mind and consciousness under the umbrella of natural philos...
Q5. The analgesic properties derived from acupuncture could potentially connect to:___________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. release of endorphins
Acupuncture-induced pain relief is largely mediated by endorphin release. Endorphins are natural neural painkillers that block pain signals in the brain. Blocking pain pathways creates the analgesic effects observed duri...
Q6. According to the psychodynamic perspective, development is heavily driven by _______.
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. internal impulses, desires and conflicts
The psychodynamic perspective stresses that human actions stem from hidden internal drives and conflicts. Unconscious desires originating in childhood heavily influence adult personality development and behavior. Resolvi...