History, Approaches, and Research Methods 2009-2010

01. Design an experiment to study how the consumption of garlic affects the ability to kiss someone on a date. Explain in detail how you will conduct the experiment and why you will conduct it with this procedure. Be sure to include each of the following in your explanation: hypothesis, operational definitions, independent variable, dependent variable, experimental group, control group.

02. A New York Times writer reported a massive survey showing that “adolescents whose parents smoked were 50% more likely than children of nonsmokers to report having sex.” He concluded that the survey indicated a causal effect – that “to reduce the chances that their children will become sexually active at an early age” parents might “quit smoking.” What is the difference between causation and correlation? Explain the mistake the New York Times writer made.

03. Billy, a straight “A” high school student and football star, takes his position on the line of scrimmage. The game is tied 14–14, with only 10 seconds left. It’s fourth down, and the ball is on the 12 yard line. Tomorrow morning Billy has to take his SATs. Having spent the night studying for the all-important exam, Billy is working on 4 hours of sleep. As the play begins, Billy runs his passing route, but instead of running a post corner route, he runs out of the back of the end zone, and into the traffic filled street. His injuries end his football career and postpone his dream of college. List and briefly explain 6 different perspectives of psychology. Then explain which one best explains why Billy freaked out.