All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Interpreting Results
What is an illusory correlation?
A perfect correlation between two variables
The perception of a relationship where none exists
When one variable negatively predicts a second variable
A type of Pearson product moment correlation commonly used in the field of social psychology
An illusion of a correlation (often called sans-stats)
The perception of a relationship where none exists
An illusory correlation occurs when someone thinks that two variables are related, but they are actually not (they have a correlation of 0).
Example Question #1621 : Ap Psychology
Which of these represents the strongest correlation coefficient?
Correlation coefficients range from -1 to 1, with the strongest correlations being closer to -1 or 1. A correlation of 0 indicates no relationship between two variables. Negative correlations can be as strong or stronger than positive correlations; the most important factor is the magnitude of the correlation.
Example Question #111 : Research And Testing
Which term refers to the middle term in a distribution of data?
The standard deviation
The median
The mean
The range
The mode
The median
The median is the middle number in a data set. For example, the median of {3, 7, 4, 5, 8} is 5. The terms must first be placed in increasing order: {3, 4, 5, 7, 8}. From here, it becomes evident that 5 is the middle term, or median.
Example Question #2 : Interpreting Results
Which of the following is an appropriate definition for statistics?
Numerical data that shows the cause of a certain phenomenon
None of these
The negative or positive correlational relationship between different percentages
A subjective interpretation of numerical data
An analysis of numerical data
An analysis of numerical data
Statistics play a big role in much of the research in the field of psychology. In studying groups of people and individuals, their behaviors, reactions, etc. a researcher will have lots of numerical data on their hands. Statistics is the analysis of this numerical data.
Example Question #3 : Interpreting Results
Carol did a study examining the link between male students' test scores and their alcohol consumption. Other researchers replicated her study in a similar setting and got back similar results, but argued that her study answers a different question than it was designed to answer.
Carol's study is __________.
Reliable and valid
Neither valid nor reliable
None of the other answers is correct
Reliable, but not valid
Valid, but not reliable
Reliable, but not valid
A study's validity is its ability to scientifically measure the concepts it was designed to measure. A study's reliability is its ability to yield similar results when replicated in a similar setting.
Because Carol's study could be replicated but does not answer the question it was designed to answer her study is reliable, but not valid.
Example Question #4 : Interpreting Results
In a correlation experiment which number shows the weakest correlation?
The number describing two variables relationship is the correlation coefficient. This could show a positive correlation (+ number) or a negative correlation (- number). The further from 0 the coefficent is the stronger the correlation.
Example Question #1621 : Ap Psychology
When measuring central tendency, which of the following choices is known to be biased depending on the data set?
Mean
Percent error
Standard deviation of the mode
Standard deviation
Median
Mean
The mean is the average of a data set. On the other hand, the median is considered to be the 50th percentile—that is cutting the entire data set in half and representing the exact middle of the data set. The mean may be skewed depending on the data set. For instance, the median may be 50 but because of a few higher numbers, the mean could be 56. Using the mean as a measure of central tendency may cause the distribution to be a bit lopsided. Percent error is a statistical measure of the marginal error of actual results compared to expected results; therefore, percent error would not be the correct answer. Additionally, standard deviation is the measurement of the deviation from a group as a whole. This calculation is often conducted using averages (means); thus, the options standard deviation and standard deviation of the mode would also be incorrect.
Example Question #5 : Interpreting Results
A researcher has determined through an experiment that moderate doses of ginseng have no effect on verbal memory; thus, he fails to reject the null hypothesis. In reality, the researcher missed a critical data point in his analysis that should have pointed towards a positive effect of ginseng on memory. This is an example of which of the following types of research error?
Confounding variables
Lurking variables
Type II error
Experimental drift
Type I error
Type II error
Type II error—also called a false negative—occurs when a researcher incorrectly fails to reject a false null hypothesis. In other words, the researcher should have rejected the null hypothesis in favor of the experimental hypothesis. In this case, the researcher should have found evidence in favor of the experimental hypothesis that ginseng consumption has a significant effect on memory; however, the researcher failed to do so because of some experimental error (i.e. random or systematic, the problem does not specify).
Example Question #1621 : Ap Psychology
IQ data is collected for one thousand individuals. If the data are normally distributed, how many of these individuals are likely to fall within two standard deviations above the mean?
2.3 percent of individuals fall two standard deviations above the mean in a normal distribution. 2.3% of 1000 individuals is 23 individuals that fall above this cutoff.
Convert the percentage into a ratio.
Create a ratio using the total number of the sample size. Use the variable as a representation of the number of individuals that fall two standard deviations above the mean.
Create a proportion using the two ratios.
Cross multiply and solve for .
Simplify.
Divide both sides of the equation by .
Solve.
Example Question #1621 : Ap Psychology
Researchers discover a .62 correlation between self-esteem and academic achievement in a group of high school students. This would be described as a __________ in strength relationship.
moderate
weak
strong
medium
moderate
Any correlation between .30 and .69 is considered moderate in strength. Anything above .60 is considered strong. Anything below .30 is considered weak or no correlation.