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Shortcut used: Name the tested psychological concept, connect it to passage evidence, separate correlation from causation, and reject options that overstate or reverse the principle.
Solve in 3 steps:
- Mark the given values and the exact target.
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- Check the final value against the options.
Common mistake: Do not choose an option before confirming the exact demand of the question.
Question 9
Multiple Choice Question
Question
PASSAGE 3 — STRESS, APPRAISAL, AND PERFORMANCE
Volunteers prepared a short speech. Half were told that evaluators would judge their competence; the others were told that the recording equipment was being tested and their performance would not be scored. The judged group reported greater perceived stress, showed a larger rise in salivary cortisol, and performed worse on a demanding working-memory task immediately afterward. Within that group, participants who rated their social support as high showed a smaller cortisol rise, although the groups did not differ in baseline cortisol.
QUESTION 9: Which design change would best test whether perceived social support causally reduces the cortisol response?
Explanation
Correct Answer: C
ANSWER
Correct Answer: C
Method / Topic: Psychology
The correct answer is C: Randomly assign a standardized supportive interaction before the speech. Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support.
Why this answer is correct
The correct option matches the required rule and the given information.
Short Explanation
The correct answer is C: Randomly assign a standardized supportive interaction before the speech. Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support.
Detailed Explanation
Question
PASSAGE 3 — STRESS, APPRAISAL, AND PERFORMANCE
Volunteers prepared a short speech. Half were told that evaluators would judge their competence; the others were told that the recording equipment was being tested and their performance would not be scored. The judged group reported greater perceived stress, showed a larger rise in salivary cortisol, and performed worse on a demanding working-memory task immediately afterward. Within that group, participants who rated their social support as high showed a smaller cortisol rise, although the groups did not differ in baseline cortisol.
QUESTION 9: Which design change would best test whether perceived social support causally reduces the cortisol response?
ANSWER
Correct Answer: C
Method / Topic: Psychology
Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support. First identify whether the
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Question 9
Learn + Solve: Shortcut, Trap & Fast Route Click to view shortcut, steps, and common mistake
Learn + solve
Shortcut used, common trap, and the fastest solving route
Shortcut used: Name the tested psychological concept, connect it to passage evidence, separate correlation from causation, and reject options that overstate or reverse the principle.
Solve in 3 steps:
- Mark the given values and the exact target.
- Apply the relevant formula, rule, or concept.
- Check the final value against the options.
Common mistake: Do not choose an option before confirming the exact demand of the question.
Question
PASSAGE 3 — STRESS, APPRAISAL, AND PERFORMANCE Volunteers prepared a short speech. Half were told that evaluators would judge their competence; the others were told that the recording equipment was being tested and their performance would not be scored. The judged group reported greater perceived stress, showed a larger rise in salivary cortisol, and performed worse on a demanding working-memory task immediately afterward. Within that group, participants who rated their social support as high showed a smaller cortisol rise, although the groups did not differ in baseline cortisol. QUESTION 9: Which design change would best test whether perceived social support causally reduces the cortisol response?
Explanation
Correct Answer: C
ANSWER
Correct Answer: C
Method / Topic: Psychology
The correct answer is C: Randomly assign a standardized supportive interaction before the speech. Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support.
Why this answer is correct
The correct option matches the required rule and the given information.
Short Explanation
The correct answer is C: Randomly assign a standardized supportive interaction before the speech. Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support.
Detailed Explanation
Question
PASSAGE 3 — STRESS, APPRAISAL, AND PERFORMANCE
Volunteers prepared a short speech. Half were told that evaluators would judge their competence; the others were told that the recording equipment was being tested and their performance would not be scored. The judged group reported greater perceived stress, showed a larger rise in salivary cortisol, and performed worse on a demanding working-memory task immediately afterward. Within that group, participants who rated their social support as high showed a smaller cortisol rise, although the groups did not differ in baseline cortisol.
QUESTION 9: Which design change would best test whether perceived social support causally reduces the cortisol response?
ANSWER
Correct Answer: C
Method / Topic: Psychology
Randomly manipulating a supportive interaction would reduce confounding by stable personality, relationships, and coping style. Comparing cortisol responses after that manipulation would provide stronger causal evidence than merely measuring naturally occurring support. First identify whether the
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