Question

Exercise 1.6 introduces a study on the relationship between socio-economic class and unethical behavior. As part of this study 129 University of (California Berkeley undergraduates were asked to identify themselves as having low or high social-class by comparing themselves to others with the most (least) money, most (least) education, and most (least) respected jobs. They were also presented with a jar of individually wrapped candies and informed that the candies were for children in a nearby laboratory, but that they could take some if they wanted. After completing some unrelated tasks, participants reported the number of candies they had taken. It was found that those who were identified as upper-class took more candy than others.
A. Identify the population of interest and the sample in this study.
B. Comment on whether or not the results of the study can be generalized to the population, and if the findings of the study can be used to establish causal relationships.

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) Population: UCB undergraduates

Sample: The selected 129 UCB undergraduates

(B) Yes, they can be generalized to the population

No, the findings of this single study cannot be used to establish causal relationships between socio-economic classes and unethical behaviors.

Step-by-step explanation:

STUDY: Relationship between socio-economic class and unethical behavior.

The bases for determining social class here are:  money, education, and respected job.

RESULT: Those who identified as upper class took more candy than others.

(A) Identify the population of interest and the sample, in this study.

The population of interest in this study is UCB undergraduates.

The sample in this study is the 129 UCB undergraduates who were selected and who agreed to take part in the experiment. They were the participants who were divided into the two social classes before the experiment was conducted.

(B) The results of the study can be generalized to the population of UCB undergraduates since it's likely that the results would be same in another group of 129 UCB undergraduates.

The findings or results of the study cannot be used to establish causal relationships unless the study is conducted in more universities and majority of the results are same with this.