An Instructor Wishes to Find Out Whether a New Teaching

question 16

Multiple Choice

An instructor wishes to find out whether a new teaching method is superior to his usual procedures,so he conducts an experiment.Everyone in his classes is quite excited about the prospect of learning under the new procedure but of course he cannot administer the new teaching method to everyone.A random half of the students receive the new method and the remaining half receive the old.What is the most obvious flaw in this experiment?

• A) Subjects should have been systematically assigned to groups.
• B) The sample is not representative of the population.
• C) Placebo effects or experimenter bias are likely to affect results.
• D) Distortions in self-report will affect results.

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Definitions:

Positive Reinforcement

A method in behaviorism that involves the addition of a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior, with the aim of increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Aversive Condition

A situation or stimulus that is unpleasant or uncomfortable and which an individual seeks to avoid or escape.

Negative Reinforcement

A behavioral psychology concept where the removal of an undesirable or negative stimulus strengthens a behavior.

Aspirin

A medication used to reduce pain, fever, inflammation, and in low doses, to prevent blood clots.