Exercise 1.6 introduces a study on the relationship between socio-economic class

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. Identify the population of interest and the sample in this study. 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.

Explanation / Answer

a) The population of interest here is all the undergraduate students. The sample in this study are the 129 undergraduates from University of California Berkeley

b) The results of the study cannot be generalized to the general population since the sample wasn’t taken randomly ( sample consists of undergraduates from only one universitiy and not from the universities of other area, state or country), so it’s unclear whether they are representative. The study, however, does suggest a causal relationship because it was a randomized experiment.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.