SCSA Psychology Science inquiry
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
Use the following information to answer the question.
Professor Dominique wants to test an intervention for stress management. She plans to recruit participants from the university community and randomly allocate them to groups of four. Participants will be told that they will be locked in an escape room until they either solve the puzzles in there or an hour passes. After reading the participant information sheet about the specific purposes of the study and signing a consent form, the groups will be further randomised to either the experimental condition or the control condition.
The groups in the experimental condition will be given a 30-minute presentation by one of her research assistants on effective coping strategies to help alleviate stress, then put into the escape room. The groups in the control condition will immediately go into the escape room after providing consent.
Immediately after leaving the escape room, the participants will rate their feelings of stress across the study period, then Professor Dominique plans to discuss the findings with the participants and any uncomfortable experiences they had. The groups will be assessed on how long it took them to escape and their self-reported stress. The key outcome will be the difference between the two conditions.
The ethics review panel requested modifications when it first received Professor Dominique's study proposal.
Based on the information provided above, what did Professor Dominique fail to consider?
deception
debriefing
informed consent
withdrawal rights
Reveal Answer
deception
The scenario states that participants are informed about the specific purposes of the study beforehand, meaning deception was not used and therefore not an ethical issue here.
debriefing
The scenario mentions that Professor Dominique plans to discuss the findings and any uncomfortable experiences with participants after the study, which constitutes a proper debriefing.
informed consent
The scenario explicitly states that participants read an information sheet and sign a consent form, showing that informed consent was properly considered and obtained.
withdrawal rights
Participants are told they will be 'locked in an escape room' until they solve the puzzles or an hour passes. This violates their ethical right to withdraw from the experiment at any time without penalty.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Researchers conducted a study to compare the effects of a single night of partial sleep deprivation (less than five hours of sleep) to no sleep deprivation (eight hours of sleep) on participants’ performance in a driving simulator. The results showed that a night of partial sleep deprivation had an impact on behavioural measures of sleepiness.
Researchers want to extend the current study to compare the equivalent effects of one night of full sleep deprivation and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on mood.
Which one of the following research questions would be most suitable?
How do attention levels compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.05 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
How do levels of irritability compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.05 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
How does problem-solving ability compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.10 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
How do levels of emotional regulation compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.10 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
Reveal Answer
How do attention levels compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.05 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
A BAC of 0.05 is equivalent to 17 hours of sleep deprivation, not a full night (24 hours). Additionally, attention is a cognitive measure, not a measure of mood.
How do levels of irritability compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.05 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
Although irritability is related to mood, a BAC of 0.05 is equivalent to 17 hours of sleep deprivation, not a full night (24 hours) of sleep deprivation.
How does problem-solving ability compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.10 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
While a BAC of 0.10 is the correct equivalent for a full night of sleep deprivation, problem-solving ability is a cognitive measure rather than a measure of mood.
How do levels of emotional regulation compare between individuals with a BAC of 0.10 and those experiencing a night of full sleep deprivation?
A BAC of 0.10 is the correct equivalent for a full night (24 hours) of sleep deprivation, and emotional regulation is an appropriate measure of mood.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Professor Dominique wants to test an intervention for stress management. She plans to recruit participants from the university community and randomly allocate them to groups of four. Participants will be told that they will be locked in an escape room until they either solve the puzzles in there or an hour passes. After reading the participant information sheet about the specific purposes of the study and signing a consent form, the groups will be further randomised to either the experimental condition or the control condition.
The groups in the experimental condition will be given a 30-minute presentation by one of her research assistants on effective coping strategies to help alleviate stress, then put into the escape room. The groups in the control condition will immediately go into the escape room after providing consent.
Immediately after leaving the escape room, the participants will rate their feelings of stress across the study period, then Professor Dominique plans to discuss the findings with the participants and any uncomfortable experiences they had. The groups will be assessed on how long it took them to escape and their self-reported stress. The key outcome will be the difference between the two conditions.
Which experimental research design and sampling procedure is Professor Dominique adopting?
repeated measures with random sampling
independent groups with stratified sampling
independent groups with convenience sampling
repeated measures with random stratified sampling
Reveal Answer
repeated measures with random sampling
This is incorrect because participants only experience one condition, making it an independent groups design rather than repeated measures. Additionally, recruiting from the university community is convenience sampling, not random sampling.
independent groups with stratified sampling
While the study does use an independent groups design, it does not use stratified sampling because the researcher did not divide the population into distinct subgroups before selecting participants.
independent groups with convenience sampling
This is correct because participants are assigned to either the experimental or control condition (independent groups design), and they are recruited from the readily available university community (convenience sampling).
repeated measures with random stratified sampling
This is incorrect because participants do not experience both conditions (which would be repeated measures), and the sampling method does not involve randomly selecting from predefined subgroups (random stratified sampling).
Which one of the following is an objective measure that could be used to investigate possible treatments that would reduce sleep disturbances?
electromyograph recording participants' brain wave patterns
video monitor recording the time and duration of participants' awakenings
a questionnaire with a rating scale measuring participants' anxiety about sleep
a sleep diary in which the participants would record how they felt after each night's sleep
Reveal Answer
electromyograph recording participants' brain wave patterns
An electromyograph (EMG) measures muscle activity, not brain wave patterns. An electroencephalograph (EEG) would be the correct instrument for measuring brain waves.
video monitor recording the time and duration of participants' awakenings
A video monitor provides an objective, observable, and quantifiable measure of sleep disturbances by directly recording the exact time and duration of awakenings without relying on participant self-reporting.
a questionnaire with a rating scale measuring participants' anxiety about sleep
A questionnaire relies on self-reporting of personal feelings like anxiety, making it a subjective measure rather than an objective one.
a sleep diary in which the participants would record how they felt after each night's sleep
A sleep diary is a subjective measure because it relies on the participants' personal feelings and self-reported experiences rather than observable, quantifiable data.
A research experiment was conducted on two classes: Class A and Class B. Both classes, with an equal number of participants, completed a multiple-choice test with 10 questions. Both classes had a mean of 5. Class A had a standard deviation of 0.5 compared to 1.5 in Class B.
Based on these results, which one of the following is most likely?
Class B had more varied scores than Class A.
Class B had lower scores overall than Class A.
Class A had lower scores overall than Class B.
Class A had fewer scores clustered around the mean than Class B.
Reveal Answer
Class B had more varied scores than Class A.
Standard deviation measures the spread or variability of a dataset. Since Class B has a higher standard deviation () than Class A (), its scores are more varied.
Class B had lower scores overall than Class A.
Both classes have the exact same mean score of , indicating that their overall average performance was equal, not lower.
Class A had lower scores overall than Class B.
Since both classes share an identical mean score of , neither class performed lower overall than the other.
Class A had fewer scores clustered around the mean than Class B.
A lower standard deviation indicates that scores are more tightly clustered around the mean. Therefore, Class A actually had more scores clustered around the mean than Class B, not fewer.
Use the following information to answer the question.
A research study investigated the changes to blood flow in the face that occur when encountering stress. Forty participants were involved in a study that placed them, one at a time, in a fake jewellery store.
Twenty participants were in the 'deception condition' and were told to enter the store and steal a necklace. Following this, these participants entered an interview room where they were asked eight questions about the scenario. Those in the 'deception condition' had been told to lie in all their answers.
The other 20 participants were in the 'control condition'.
During the interview, all participants were connected to a thermal imaging machine where changes to blood flow in the face could be measured. Higher results of thermal imaging indicated higher blood flow to that specific facial area.
Source: Adapted from A Derakshan et al., 'Network physiology of "fight or flight" response in facial superficial blood vessels', Physiological Measurement, vol 40, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6579/aaf089
Analysis of the thermal imaging of all facial areas found that increased blood flow correctly predicted the participants' deception at a rate of 67.1%. The researchers were then able to improve the deception prediction rate to 87.1% by analysing only a limited number of facial areas.
This improvement in deception prediction rate indicates
the brain diverts blood to specific areas in response to a stressor.
the increase in blood to facial areas is not a reliable indicator of stress.
an increase in blood flow to all facial areas occurs regardless of the stressor type.
the central nervous system processes, but does not coordinate, physiological responses to a stressor.
Reveal Answer
the brain diverts blood to specific areas in response to a stressor.
The fact that analyzing specific facial areas improved the prediction rate suggests that the physiological response to stress involves localized changes in blood flow, which are coordinated by the brain.
the increase in blood to facial areas is not a reliable indicator of stress.
The high prediction rate of 87.1% demonstrates that localized facial blood flow is actually a reliable indicator of stress, contradicting this statement.
an increase in blood flow to all facial areas occurs regardless of the stressor type.
If blood flow increased equally to all facial areas, analyzing a limited number of areas would not have significantly improved the prediction rate.
the central nervous system processes, but does not coordinate, physiological responses to a stressor.
The central nervous system both processes and coordinates physiological responses to stressors, such as directing blood flow to specific areas of the face.
Use the following information to answer the question.
A study was conducted to develop a culturally specific program aimed at strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal communities. The study was led by Aboriginal researchers and involved community consultations when developing the program.
The program developed was then implemented in multiple communities and evaluated. The findings from the evaluation showed a strong correlation between self-determination and improved mental wellbeing outcomes, indicating that culturally specific programs likely enhanced SEWB.
Community consultations improved the program because they
reduced isolation between participants in the program.
ensured positive relationships between all participants.
recognised the unique views of members of multiple communities.
ensured all members of the community agreed on all elements of the SEWB framework.
Reveal Answer
reduced isolation between participants in the program.
While the program itself might aim to reduce isolation, the primary purpose of the community consultations during the development phase was to gather input, not to reduce isolation among future participants.
ensured positive relationships between all participants.
Community consultations are designed to gather feedback and ensure cultural relevance, but they cannot guarantee or ensure positive relationships between all participants.
recognised the unique views of members of multiple communities.
Community consultations are crucial for developing culturally specific programs because they acknowledge and incorporate the unique perspectives, values, and needs of the community members involved.
ensured all members of the community agreed on all elements of the SEWB framework.
It is unrealistic to expect that consultations would result in unanimous agreement among all community members on every element of the framework; rather, they aim to capture a representative range of views.
Cecil is a 25-year-old who has recently completed his apprenticeship and started his first job in a busy workshop. Despite completing his apprenticeship and getting a job in the industry, he finds himself struggling with feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction in various aspects of his life. He often feels overwhelmed by work pressure, has trouble maintaining meaningful relationships with colleagues, and lacks a sense of purpose and direction in his personal life. Cecil also finds it challenging to balance his professional responsibilities with his own needs for personal growth and self-care.
Cecil has been referred to a psychologist for help by his supervisor at work. To collect data on Cecil's wellbeing, the psychologist has conducted both an interview and administered a self-report survey. The interview was open-ended, and the survey was composed of a variety of Likert and rating scales. The information from these measures was applied to a psychological and a subjective model of wellbeing to better help Cecil understand his current situation.
Write an extended answer that demonstrates Science inquiry and Psychological knowledge and understanding in relation to the scenario above.
In your answer you must:
- define wellbeing
- distinguish between subjective and psychological wellbeing
- summarise Diener's (1984) model of subjective wellbeing
- explain how four components of Ryff's (1989) psychological wellbeing model contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing
- explain one specific challenge Cecil is facing related to his wellbeing
- assess the benefit of using both the interview and the survey to collect and interpret data
- use appropriate psychological terminology
- acknowledge sources of information using appropriate referencing.
Reveal Answer
Wellbeing is feeling happy and content or a positive state in one's life.
Subjective wellbeing focuses on an individual's personal evaluation of their life satisfaction and emotional experiences, and emphasises subjective perceptions and feelings. Psychological wellbeing encompasses broader dimensions of psychological functioning and reflects a more comprehensive assessment of mental health and wellbeing.
Diener’s (1984) model of subjective wellbeing includes life satisfaction, which is the overall evaluation of one's life circumstances, including satisfaction with work, relationships, and personal achievements; and affective balance, which is the balance between positive and negative emotions experienced by an individual, indicating the overall emotional wellbeing.
In Ryff’s (1989) psychological wellbeing model, autonomy is the sense of independence and self-determination where individuals feel in control of their actions and decisions, which leads to a greater sense of fulfilment. Environmental mastery is the ability to effectively manage and adapt to the external world, demonstrating competence in navigating challenges. Personal growth is the continuous process of self-improvement and exploration, fostering a sense of progress and expansion of one's capabilities and seizing opportunities for personal development. Positive relations with others highlights the importance of meaningful and supportive connections with family, friends, and community, contributing to emotional wellbeing and social support.
A specific challenge Cecil is facing is that he experiences feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction, indicating low life satisfaction and low affective balance.
The benefit of using both the interview and the survey to collect and interpret data is that this is a mixed method design that collects both quantitative and qualitative data, which allows for statistical analysis and allows for rich data and understanding of meaning.
Define wellbeing
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that wellbeing is feeling happy and content or a positive state | 1 |
States that it is in one's life | 1 |
Distinguish between subjective and psychological wellbeing
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains that subjective wellbeing focuses on an individual's personal evaluation of their life satisfaction and emotional experiences | 1 |
States that subjective wellbeing emphasises subjective perceptions and feelings | 1 |
Explains that psychological wellbeing encompasses broader dimensions of psychological functioning | 1 |
States that psychological wellbeing reflects a more comprehensive assessment of mental health and wellbeing | 1 |
Diener’s model of subjective wellbeing
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies life satisfaction | 1 |
Describes life satisfaction as the overall evaluation of one's life circumstances, including satisfaction with work, relationships, or personal achievements | 1 |
Identifies affective balance | 1 |
Describes affective balance as the balance between positive and negative emotions experienced by an individual (indicating the overall emotional wellbeing) | 1 |
Component 1
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a component (Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relations with others, Purpose in life, or Self-acceptance) | 1 |
Describes the component (e.g., the sense of independence and self-determination, the ability to effectively manage and adapt to the external world, etc.) | 1 |
Explains how it contributes to wellbeing (e.g., leads to a greater sense of fulfilment, demonstrating competence in navigating challenges, etc.) | 1 |
Component 2
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a component (Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relations with others, Purpose in life, or Self-acceptance) | 1 |
Describes the component (e.g., the sense of independence and self-determination, the ability to effectively manage and adapt to the external world, etc.) | 1 |
Explains how it contributes to wellbeing (e.g., leads to a greater sense of fulfilment, demonstrating competence in navigating challenges, etc.) | 1 |
Component 3
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a component (Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relations with others, Purpose in life, or Self-acceptance) | 1 |
Describes the component (e.g., the sense of independence and self-determination, the ability to effectively manage and adapt to the external world, etc.) | 1 |
Explains how it contributes to wellbeing (e.g., leads to a greater sense of fulfilment, demonstrating competence in navigating challenges, etc.) | 1 |
Component 4
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies a component (Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relations with others, Purpose in life, or Self-acceptance) | 1 |
Describes the component (e.g., the sense of independence and self-determination, the ability to effectively manage and adapt to the external world, etc.) | 1 |
Explains how it contributes to wellbeing (e.g., leads to a greater sense of fulfilment, demonstrating competence in navigating challenges, etc.) | 1 |
Specific challenge
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies that he experiences feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction OR struggles with work pressure, maintaining relationships, finding purpose, or balancing his needs | 1 |
Explains that this indicates low life satisfaction OR highlights deficiencies | 1 |
Explains that this indicates low affective balance OR deficiencies in autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, or self-acceptance | 1 |
Benefit of mixed method design
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies that this is a mixed method design | 1 |
States that it collects both quantitative and qualitative data | 1 |
Explains that this allows for statistical analysis | 1 |
Explains that this allows for rich data or understanding of meaning | 1 |
Psychological terminology
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Accurately uses a variety of appropriate psychological terminology relevant to theories, studies, models and concepts fluently and in a clear and logical way. | 3 |
Accurately uses some appropriate psychological terminology relevant to theories, studies, models and concepts in a clear and logical way. | 2 |
Uses everyday language with limited relevance to theories, studies, models and concepts. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Referencing
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Consistently uses the names of the researcher/author and date/s. | 2 |
Uses only the names of the researcher/author or date/s. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Participants involved in research into mental health are informed that a placebo will be used.
Which additional piece of information is most likely to be provided to these participants?
which condition they are in
that they could be in either the control group or the experimental group
that they should continue taking any other medications they have been prescribed
misleading information about the research in order to prevent the participants’ expectations from affecting the results
Reveal Answer
which condition they are in
Telling participants which condition they are in would ruin the blind nature of the study, which is essential when using a placebo to control for participant expectations.
that they could be in either the control group or the experimental group
As part of ethical informed consent, participants must be made aware that they will be randomly assigned to either the active treatment (experimental) or placebo (control) group.
that they should continue taking any other medications they have been prescribed
Whether participants continue taking other medications depends entirely on the specific study's design and safety protocols, as other drugs could act as confounding variables.
misleading information about the research in order to prevent the participants’ expectations from affecting the results
While deception is sometimes used in psychological research, clinical trials involving placebos require informed consent, meaning participants cannot be misled about the fundamental nature of the treatment groups.
A hypothesis
is a question the research study sets out to answer.
predicts how the dependent variable will affect the independent variable.
is generated based on scientific knowledge or experience in order to understand and test ideas.
is a method of research in which an experimenter manipulates the independent variable to observe the effect on the dependent variable.
Reveal Answer
is a question the research study sets out to answer.
This describes a research question. A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction that attempts to answer that research question.
predicts how the dependent variable will affect the independent variable.
This has the relationship backward. A hypothesis typically predicts how the independent variable (the cause) will affect the dependent variable (the effect).
is generated based on scientific knowledge or experience in order to understand and test ideas.
A hypothesis is an educated guess or proposed explanation derived from existing scientific knowledge that can be empirically tested.
is a method of research in which an experimenter manipulates the independent variable to observe the effect on the dependent variable.
This defines an experiment or experimental method, which is the procedure used to test a hypothesis, rather than the hypothesis itself.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Researchers conducted an experiment to investigate the influence of the chemical theophylline on the circadian rhythm of rats in dark conditions. Theophylline is found naturally in brewed tea and acts to stimulate central nervous system activity. The study was conducted on 10 rats, which were administered a single theophylline dose (0.5 mg/kg) one hour before they fell asleep, and were then monitored for two days using an electroencephalograph (EEG) with no access to natural or artificial light. Three major states of consciousness were analysed during the 48 hours of observation: waking, NREM sleep and REM sleep.
The use of a control group in this study would require a group of rats that
receives 0.5 mg/kg of a salt solution.
is exposed to full light conditions for one of the two days.
is sleep-deprived for the two days following administration of theophylline.
is a different species of rats, genetically modified to not digest theophylline.
Reveal Answer
receives 0.5 mg/kg of a salt solution.
A control group must be treated exactly the same as the experimental group, except for the independent variable. Administering a salt solution (placebo) controls for the effects of the injection process itself.
is exposed to full light conditions for one of the two days.
Exposing the rats to light introduces a new independent variable, which would confound the results since the experiment specifically studies circadian rhythms in dark conditions.
is sleep-deprived for the two days following administration of theophylline.
Sleep deprivation introduces a major confounding variable and does not serve as a baseline to measure the effects of theophylline on normal sleep cycles.
is a different species of rats, genetically modified to not digest theophylline.
A control group must be as genetically and biologically similar to the experimental group as possible. Using a different, genetically modified species introduces significant confounding variables.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Researchers conducted an experiment to investigate the influence of the chemical theophylline on the circadian rhythm of rats in dark conditions. Theophylline is found naturally in brewed tea and acts to stimulate central nervous system activity. The study was conducted on 10 rats, which were administered a single theophylline dose (0.5 mg/kg) one hour before they fell asleep, and were then monitored for two days using an electroencephalograph (EEG) with no access to natural or artificial light. Three major states of consciousness were analysed during the 48 hours of observation: waking, NREM sleep and REM sleep.
The study monitored the rats for two days using an EEG.
Which of the following is a likely observation from the study?
Presence of theophylline results in a reduction of awakenings.
Presence of theophylline results in REM sleep brain waves that closely match waking brain waves.
Neural activity during REM sleep would include high-amplitude, low-frequency waves given the inhibition of melatonin release.
In the absence of light, the influence of theophylline will decrease the total time spent with high-amplitude, low-frequency waves.
Reveal Answer
Presence of theophylline results in a reduction of awakenings.
Theophylline is a central nervous system stimulant, so it would likely increase, rather than reduce, the number of awakenings during sleep.
Presence of theophylline results in REM sleep brain waves that closely match waking brain waves.
REM sleep brain waves naturally resemble waking brain waves (low-amplitude, high-frequency) in all healthy subjects, so this is not a result specific to the presence of theophylline.
Neural activity during REM sleep would include high-amplitude, low-frequency waves given the inhibition of melatonin release.
REM sleep is characterized by low-amplitude, high-frequency waves. High-amplitude, low-frequency waves (delta waves) are characteristic of deep NREM sleep.
In the absence of light, the influence of theophylline will decrease the total time spent with high-amplitude, low-frequency waves.
High-amplitude, low-frequency waves (delta waves) occur during deep NREM sleep. Because theophylline acts as a central nervous system stimulant, it would decrease the amount of deep sleep, thereby reducing the total time spent with these waves.
This question refer to an investigation that partially modified the methodology of Bargh, Chen and Burrows (1996) (Experiment 2). The table shows data from the investigation.
| Number of elderly primes | Walking time (s) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 7.30 |
| 1 | 7.45 |
| 2 | 7.62 |
| 3 | 7.89 |
| 4 | 7.91 |
| 5 | 8.05 |
| 6 | 8.28 |
| 7 | 8.28 |
| 8 | 8.28 |
| 9 | 9.12 |
| 10 | 9.12 |
Researchers analysed the results using a Pearson correlation coefficient. The result was .
It could be inferred that this demonstrates a
weak positive correlation.
weak negative correlation.
strong positive correlation.
strong negative correlation.
Reveal Answer
weak positive correlation.
Incorrect. While the correlation is positive, a value of is very close to , indicating a strong relationship rather than a weak one (which would be closer to ).
weak negative correlation.
Incorrect. The value is positive, not negative. Furthermore, the magnitude suggests a strong relationship, whereas a weak negative correlation would be a value like .
strong positive correlation.
Correct. The coefficient is positive () and very close to the maximum value of , which signifies a strong positive linear relationship between the variables.
strong negative correlation.
Incorrect. A negative correlation is indicated by a minus sign (e.g., ). Since the given value is positive, this option is incorrect.
Use the following information to answer the question.
A study was conducted on 24 healthy Year 10 students at a local high school. Half of the participants were administered 30 minutes of bright light therapy (BLT) each morning for four weeks. The other half of the participants did not use any BLT throughout the four weeks. After four weeks, participants were then tested on their amount of high-frequency, low-amplitude (beta) brain-wave presence while awake in the early morning using an EEG and a mathematics test performance.
The results are shown below.
| Group | Mean percentage of high-frequency, low-amplitude (beta) brain waves | Mean mathematics test performance (out of 30) |
|---|---|---|
| BLT group | 86.2% | 22.4 |
| No BLT group | 78.5% | 18.5 |
Which explanation best accounts for the results from this study?
BLT can delay sleep onset and increase total sleep time.
BLT reduces melatonin release, thus enhancing neurotransmission throughout the brain.
Melatonin can activate parts of the amygdala that are used in higher-order mathematics problems.
There is a positive relationship between low-frequency brain-wave patterns and higher levels of awareness.
Reveal Answer
BLT can delay sleep onset and increase total sleep time.
Morning bright light therapy is typically used to advance the sleep-wake cycle, not delay sleep onset. Furthermore, increased total sleep time does not directly explain the specific increase in beta brain waves and cognitive performance.
BLT reduces melatonin release, thus enhancing neurotransmission throughout the brain.
Bright light therapy suppresses the release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. This reduction in melatonin increases morning alertness (indicated by higher beta wave activity) and cognitive function (indicated by better math performance).
Melatonin can activate parts of the amygdala that are used in higher-order mathematics problems.
Melatonin promotes sleepiness rather than cognitive activation. Additionally, the amygdala is primarily involved in emotional processing, whereas higher-order mathematics relies more on the prefrontal cortex.
There is a positive relationship between low-frequency brain-wave patterns and higher levels of awareness.
This statement is factually incorrect. High-frequency brain waves (such as beta waves), rather than low-frequency waves (like delta or theta), are associated with higher levels of awareness and active thinking.
Use the following information to answer the question.
A study was conducted to develop a culturally specific program aimed at strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal communities. The study was led by Aboriginal researchers and involved community consultations when developing the program.
The program developed was then implemented in multiple communities and evaluated. The findings from the evaluation showed a strong correlation between self-determination and improved mental wellbeing outcomes, indicating that culturally specific programs likely enhanced SEWB.
Why did the researchers implement the program in multiple communities?
to increase repeatability as Aboriginal communities share similar needs
to increase external validity by recognising cultural and regional differences between communities
to improve internal validity by identifying consistent wellbeing outcomes that apply to Aboriginal communities
to control for extraneous variables, including cultural uniqueness, so that wellbeing outcomes would be relevant to all communities
Reveal Answer
to increase repeatability as Aboriginal communities share similar needs
Aboriginal communities are highly diverse and do not all share the exact same needs. Implementing the program in multiple communities tests generalizability, not just repeatability.
to increase external validity by recognising cultural and regional differences between communities
External validity refers to how well study results can be generalized to other populations or settings. Testing the program across multiple diverse communities ensures the findings are applicable beyond a single group.
to improve internal validity by identifying consistent wellbeing outcomes that apply to Aboriginal communities
Internal validity refers to the degree of confidence that the causal relationship being tested is trustworthy and not influenced by other factors. Testing in multiple communities improves external validity, not internal validity.
to control for extraneous variables, including cultural uniqueness, so that wellbeing outcomes would be relevant to all communities
Cultural uniqueness is not an extraneous variable to be controlled or eliminated in this context. Instead, the study embraces this diversity to see if the program is effective across various distinct communities.