Use the Following to Answer Questions

question 1

Multiple Choice

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I 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 listening to the tapes for 10 weeks lost-on average-6 pounds.Which statement is NOT a reason to be skeptical 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:

Sensory Overload

A condition where one or more of the body's senses experiences overstimulation from the environment.

Yielding

The act of giving in or surrendering to a force, argument, or influence.

Inoculation

A psychological technique used to make individuals resistant to attempts to change their attitudes or beliefs by exposing them to small doses of arguments against their position.

Psychological Reactance

The emotional response in opposition to a restriction on personal freedoms or choices, leading to an urge to regain them.