Use the Following to Answer Questions

question 87

Multiple Choice

Use the following to answer questions :
Scenario I
The scenario is based on and presents fabricated data consistent with the following study:
Merikle,P.M. ,& Skanes,H.E.(1992) .Subliminal self-help audiotapes: A search for placebo effects.Journal of Applied Psychology,77(5) ,772-776.doi:10.1037/0021-9010.77.5.772
Merikle and Skanes (1992) investigated the effectiveness of subliminal self-help audiotapes to promote weight loss in overweight females seeking to lose weight.Participants were randomly assigned to groups.Participants in two groups were instructed to listen to audiotapes containing subliminal messages associated with weight loss daily.Group 1 (the subliminal group) actually received these tapes.Group 2 (the placebo group) received tapes containing subliminal messages associated with relieving dental anxiety.Finally,a third group of participants was not given audiotapes and was told that they were on a waiting list to participate in the study.All participants-including the participants on the waiting list-were weighed weekly for 5 weeks.The average total weight loss (and standard deviations) for the three groups after the fifth week is presented in Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1
-(Scenario I) Suppose that a company markets a subliminal audiotape designed for people wanting to lose weight.As evidence that the product is effective,it cites a study based on 500 randomly selected overweight participants demonstrating that people who listened to the tapes for 10 weeks lost-on average-6 pounds.Which statement is NOT a reason to be sceptical of these claims?

• A)The weight loss could have been due to a placebo effect.
• B)The weight loss probably is not representative of how much weight a typical overweight person would lose.
• C)The weight loss could be due simply to the fact that the participants were motivated to lose weight.
• D)It is impossible to determine if the weight loss was caused by the subliminal messages based on the information provided.

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Definitions:

Analytic Intelligence

One aspect of human intelligence that involves the ability to analyze, evaluate, judge, compare, and contrast information.

Intuitive

Referring to understanding or knowing something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.

Strategic

refers to the careful planning and management of resources to achieve a specific goal or to gain an advantage.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to reason quickly and think abstractly, enabling problem solving and learning in novel situations.