Short Answer

Suppose a researcher wants to apply Zajonc's drive theory to a study with human participants performing either a simple laboratory task or a difficult laboratory task, either alone or in the presence of an audience. Applying the 'if-then' hypothesis structure from the cockroach study, write a testable hypothesis for this human study.

Question: Suppose a researcher wants to apply Zajonc's drive theory to a study with human participants performing either a simple laboratory task or a difficult laboratory task, either alone or in the presence of an audience. Applying the 'if-then' hypothesis structure from the cockroach study, write a testable hypothesis for this human study.

Sample answer: If drive theory is correct, then human participants should perform a simple laboratory task faster, and a difficult laboratory task more slowly, when an audience is present.

Key points:

  • State the premise: 'If drive theory is correct'.
  • Predict that the presence of an audience will improve performance (faster) on the simple laboratory task.
  • Predict that the presence of an audience will impair performance (slower) on the difficult laboratory task.

Rubric: The answer must be a testable 'if-then' statement. The 'if' clause must state 'If drive theory is correct' and the 'then' clause must predict faster performance on the simple laboratory task and slower performance on the difficult laboratory task when an audience is present.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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