Suppose You Want to Study the Effects of Study Abroad

question 68

Multiple Choice

Suppose you want to study the effects of study abroad on students' attitudes toward immigration. You contact the Study Abroad Office and identify all students selected for study broad. You measure the attitudes of members of this group before they go abroad and then measure their attitudes again after they return home. If you found more tolerance after they return home, this could be due to the study abroad experience or to other factors. Which of the following threats to validity is not an alternative interpretation?

• A) selection
• B) maturation
• C) history
• D) testing

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Definitions:

Absolutely Refractory Period

A phase immediately following the firing of a nerve in which the neuron is unable to fire again, ensuring the unidirectional flow of nerve impulses.

Resting Membrane Potential

The electrical potential difference across the membrane of a neuron at rest, typically around -70mV.

Refractory Periods

The period immediately following an action potential during which a neuron is incapable of firing another action potential, ensuring the unidirectional flow of nerve impulses.

Firing Rate

Firing rate refers to the frequency at which a neuron sends electrical impulses, an important factor in the neural encoding of information.