Solved by verified expert :370) In
Chapter 2 you read about the controversy surrounding the reliability and
validity of some widely used psychological tests. How does the example of using
the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to determine admission to
university for non-native English speakers illustrate the importance of the
critical thinking guideline “Don’t Oversimplify,” discussed in
Chapter 1?
371) Unlike
plays and poems, scientific theories are not judged by how pleasing they are.
Instead, a theory must be backed by empirical evidence if it is to be taken
seriously. Integrate this information from Chapter 2 with the critical thinking
guideline “Avoid Emotional Reasoning,” which you studied in Chapter
1.
372) Which
research method did Curtiss (1977, 1982) rely upon when describing the development
of Genie? Analyze what you know about the theory of critical periods of
language development methods. What are the strengths and limitations of his
approach?
373) When
the authors refer to psychologists as scientists, they do not mean that
psychologists work with complicated gadgets and machines or wear white lab
coats (although some do). The scientific enterprise has more to do with
attitudes and procedures than it does with apparatus and apparel. Describe, in
detail, the five key characteristics of the ideal scientist.
374) Is
there a critical period for language? When the sad story of Genie was broadcast
on television, many people wondered what the future would hold for a
13-year-old girl who had survived on minimal physical care. What did
psychologists learn about language acquisition through their efforts to teach
language to Genie? In what ways does Genie’s story illustrate some drawbacks to
the case study method?
375) The
president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is concerned after reading
that during puberty children have increased needs for sleep. She wants to find
out if other parents of middle-school children would support a later starting
time for school. At one of the Tuesday night meetings, she conducts a survey of
the PTA members in order to address this question. When she asks those parents
in support of the change to raise their hands, she discovers that 85% of the
parents support a later starting time. What information has she gained by
conducting this survey? What shortcomings exist in her survey?
376) A
researcher hypothesizes that adults will respond differently to the same baby
depending on how the child is dressed. Her colleague, on the other hand,
hypothesizes that boys and girls are treated equally and that only
temperamental differences lead to differences in their handling. Design a
research study to test their hypotheses. Provided a detailed explanation of how
this study would be conducted.
377) For
many years, it was thought that a child’s fascination with the genitals of an
anatomically realistic doll indicated sexual abuse of the child. Using this
example, explain why experiments usually require an experimental and a control
condition. If you were designing an experiment to test this topic, what would
be the independent variable? What would be the dependent variable?
