Describe and explain the descriptive statistics that we use to describe a distribution of scores.
What will be an ideal response?
• We calculate descriptive statistics to summarize a distribution of test scores using numbers.
• Descriptive statistics allow us to determine the main points of a group of scores.
• The descriptive statistics we typically rely on in psychological testing are measures of central tendency, measures of variation, and measures of relationship.
• Measures of central tendency help us identify the middle of a distribution.
o Mean – the average score
o Mode – the most common score in a distribution
o Median – the middle score in a group of scores
• Measures of variability help us understand how spread out a group of scores is, providing us more information about individual differences in scores.
o Range – the highest score in a distribution minor the lowest score in a distribution
o Variance - tell us whether individual scores tend to be similar or substantially different from the mean
o Standard deviation – the most commonly used measure of variability, and also tells us whether individual scores tend to be similar or substantially different fro the mean
• Measures of relationship
o Correlation coefficient – describes the relationship between two or more distributions of test scores.
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The so-called illusory correlation can most directly help explain ____
a. why people tend to think that they are "better than average" on most traits and abilities b. why people tend to overestimate the degree to which members of minority groups engage in criminal behaviors c. why people tend to continue to gamble even when they have hit an "unlucky streak" d. why people tend to assume that it is more common for people to die from plane crashes than from lung cancer
What is an important elaboration of Piaget’s concept of egocentrism?
a. ?naïve theories b. ?the information processing model c. ?attachment theory d. ?theory of mind
Barbara Rothbaum and colleagues used virtual reality exposure therapy to treat a fear of __________
a. snakes b. dogs c. spiders d. flying
Richard, a Harvard graduate and stockbroker, wants to resolve his marital problems and anxiety about his future. The best therapeutic approach for Richard would be
a. psychodynamic. c. either a or b. b. client-centered. d. neither a nor b.