M1L2: Sources of Knowledge

Question 1

acquiring knowledge that is based on subjective feelings, interpreting random events as nonrandom events, or believing in magical events

Answer 1

Superstition

Question 2

we have knowledge of something without being consciously aware of where the knowledge came from

Answer 2

Intuition

Question 3

“gut feeling”

Answer 3

Intuition

Question 4

Superstitious beliefs are based on observation or hypothesis testing. They represent a means of gaining knowledge that is reliable and valid.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Sometimes we intuit something based not on a “gut feeling” but on events we have observed.
Thus, events may be misinterpreted and not representative of all events in that category.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

When we accept what a respected or famous person tells us, we are gaining knowledge via _________.

Answer 6

Authority

Question 7

Acquired knowledge from parents and teachers.
*You did not question
*Believed them to be knowledgeable
*At times blindly accepting what they said as truth

Answer 7

Authority

Question 8

Most people tend to accept information imparted by those they view as authority figures.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

involves hearing a piece of information so often that you begin to believe it is true, and then, despite evidence to the contrary, you cling stubbornly to the belief

Answer 9

Tenacity

Question 10

The method used in campaigns and advertisements where a slogan is repeated so often that we begin to believe it.

Answer 10

Tenacity

Question 11

The problem with gaining knowledge through tenacity is that we know their claims are true

Answer 11

False. We do not know whether the claims are true.

Question 12

The accuracy of knowledge via tenacity may not have been evaluated in any valid way

Answer 12

True

Question 13

involves logical reasoning

Answer 13

Rationalism

Question 14

With this approach, ideas are precisely stated, and logical rules are applied to arrive at logically sound conclusion.

Answer 14

Rationalism

Question 15

Rational ideas are often presented in the form of a _________.

Answer 15

syllogism

Question 16

Logic deals with only the form of the syllogism and not its content. Obviously, researchers are interested in both form and content.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

involves gaining knowledge through objective observation and the experiences of your senses

Answer 17

Empiricism

Question 18

A person who gains knowledge by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching.

Answer 18

Empiricist

Question 19

Empiricism alone is enough.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

Empiricism represents a collection of facts.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

For these facts to be useful, we need to organize them, think about them, draw meaning from them, and use them to make predictions.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

involves a merger of rationalism and empiricism

Answer 22

Science

Question 23

Scientists collect data (make empirical observations) and test hypotheses with these data (assess them using rationalism).

Answer 23

True

Question 24

A hypothesis is a prediction regarding the outcome of a study. This prediction concerns the potential relationship between at least two variables (a variable is an event or behavior that has at least two values)

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Hypotheses are stated in such a way that they are not testable.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

By merging rationalism and empiricism, we have the disadvantage of using a logical argument based on observation.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

We may find that our hypothesis is not supported, and thus we must reevaluate our position. On the other hand, our observations may support the hypothesis being tested.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

In science, the goal of testing hypotheses is to arrive at or test a theory—an organized system of assumptions and principles that attempts to explain certain phenomena and how they are related.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Theories do not help us to organize and explain the data gathered in research studies. In other words, theories do not allow us to develop a framework regarding the facts in a certain area.

Answer 29

False