Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

A-19
Looking
Back
 Psychology on the Web
1. Search the web for the results of a recent survey, such as one conducted by the 
Gallup polling organization (www.gallup.com). Describe the results by summarizing 
the methodology and the sample size for the survey. How does the sample address 
the population to which the survey is being generalized?
In this group of modules, we’ve seen how psychologists 
use statistical methods to summarize data and support 
hypotheses. Return, for a moment, to the prologue about Selma Vorwerk, who immi-
grated to this country in the early 1900s; use the statistical concepts that we covered to 
answer the following questions.
1. What was the sample size anti-immigrationist Lathrop Stoddard used and to what 
population was he generalizing?
2. What are the statistical fl aws in the arguments critics of immigration made in the 
early 1900s?
3. What statistical methods would you fi nd useful in refuting Stoddard’s conclusions 
about immigrants?
Epilogue
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G-1
Glossary


abnormal behavior

 
Behavior that causes people 
to experience distress and prevents them from 
functioning in their daily lives (Module 46).

absolute threshold

 
The smallest intensity of a 
stimulus that must be present for the stimulus 
to be detected (Module 10).

acquired immune defi ciency syndrome