Research Methods and Design · with figure
A researcher wants to test whether watching a peer calmly handle a difficult puzzle affects children's willingness to try the puzzle. Children are randomly assigned to watch either the calm peer video or a neutral video. What should be measured as the dependent variable?
- AWhich video condition the child was assigned to watch.
- BWhether the researcher believes modeling matters.
- CHow long each child works on the difficult puzzle.correct
- DThe number of puzzles available in the room before the study begins.
Why C is correct
The dependent variable should capture the behavior expected to change after observing the model.
observational learning is the mechanism that makes "A researcher wants to test whether watching a peer calmly handle a difficult puzzle affects..." coherent. The credited option, "How long each child works on the difficult puzzle", is supported because Persistence on the puzzle is the measured outcome after the video. "Whether the researcher believes modeling matters" is a real-looking alternative, but A belief is not the measured child behavior; "The number of puzzles available in the room before the study begins" also fails because Room materials are not the outcome of interest. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.
Concept Application · with figure
A child sees an older cousin calmly ask for a turn, then later uses the same phrase with a classmate. Which learning process is shown?
- AUnconditioned response
- BNegative punishment
- CModelingcorrect
- DCrystallized intelligence
Why C is correct
The behavior is acquired by watching another person.
modeling explains the evidence in "A child sees an older cousin calmly ask for a turn, then later uses the same phrase with a classmate.". The credited option, "Modeling", is supported because Observational learning can occur when a child acquires a behavior by watching a model. "Negative punishment" is a real-looking alternative, but No valued item is removed to reduce behavior; "Crystallized intelligence" also fails because No accumulated knowledge test is described. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.
Concept Application · with figure
A child watches a video model sort recycling correctly and later copies the sorting routine at school. Which factor most directly enabled the behavior?
- AModelingcorrect
- BUnconditioned stimulus
- CFixed interval
- DRetroactive interference
Why A is correct
The behavior is acquired by watching a model.
modeling explains the evidence in "A child watches a video model sort recycling correctly and later copies the sorting routine at school.". The credited option, "Modeling", is supported because The child copies behavior demonstrated by another person. "Retroactive interference" is a real-looking alternative, but No later information disrupts older recall; "Unconditioned stimulus" also fails because No automatic reflex is elicited. The aim is to connect the concrete evidence to the psychological mechanism, then reject choices that shift the process, time frame, or research logic away from the scenario pattern.