Instructions: Answer the questions below in a separate word / rich text document. Label each response clearly. Most questions can be answered in approximately 1-sentence for every 2 points.

Questions:
Question 1:
Jack Scrooge is the manager of Acme Widget Company. Jack would like to become the largest widget manufacturer in Texas, so he is looking for ways to boost the productivity of his workers. Specifically, he is interested in the effects of room temperature on productivity. His hypothesis is that decreases in room temperature will lead to increases in total output of widgets. Having once taken a course in research methods, Jack knows that he must run an experiment to test this hypothesis. So, he randomly assigns half his workers to the “cold” condition and he randomly assigns the other half to the “hot” condition. The workers in the “cold” condition are required to come to work one hour early, at which time Jack lowers the factory temperature fifteen degrees below normal while they work. The workers in the “hot” condition are required to stay at work one hour late, at which time Jack raises the factory temperature fifteen degrees above normal while they work.

As predicted, the number of widgets produced during the “cold” hour (500) is far greater than the number produced during the “hot” hour (300). Jack concludes that decreases in temperature lead to greater output.

A.    Provide a definition of an independent variable (1.5 point). What is the independent variable in this experiment? (1.5 point)
B.    Provide a definition of a dependent variable (1.5 point). What is the dependent variable in this experiment? (1.5 point)
C.    There is an obvious alternative explanation for the results of this experiment. Explain what it is and how it could explain the results. Does the alternative explanation reduce the internal validity or external validity of the experiment?
Why? (2 points)
Question 2:
The Smiths refuse to fly together. They fear that an airline crash would kill both of them, thereby orphaning their children. Yet, the Smiths have no qualms about driving together. Interestingly, far more people die in auto accidents than airline crashes. Apparently, the Smiths believe the exact opposite (i.e., that people are more likely to die in airline crashes). Why do you think the Smiths are mistaken? If your speculation is correct, what heuristic are the Smiths relying upon? (6 points)

Question 3:
Imagine that on all TTU rosters, there were indications of which students were honors students and which students were on academic probation.  In order to prevent any stereotypes I have of these two groups of students from influencing my grading, it would be wise for me to delete these designations from my roster.  Name and describe a social psychological phenomenon that tells me I should ignore these designations.  Be specific about how this phenomenon would apply to this situation.

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