Research Problem 3: Cursing the Pain Away

Use the Research Problem 3 description and data table to create an SPSS dataset and run the analyses needed to answer exam questions 19–22 listed below. 

QUESTION 19

Create an SPSS dataset for the Research Problem 3 data (data provided in table on the Applied Final Exam Instruction Manual). Once all the data have been entered, save final the dataset file. Title the dataset file “LASTNAME_PSY3901 Final Exam Dataset” and include the final dataset file along with this response sheet as part of your final exam submission. 

QUESTION 20

Explain why a paired-samples t-test is the appropriate statistical test to use for this research problem and data.

QUESTION 21

Conduct a paired-samples t-test in SPSS to examine if there were differences in pain tolerance (measured by the amount of time participants kept their hand submerged in ice water) between cursing and neutral word conditions. Copy and paste (or import) the t-test output below. 

QUESTION 22

Using the t-test output obtained for Question 21, interpret and report the results of the study. Report the mean and standard deviation for the two study conditions and the t-test results in correct statistical notation. Also calculate, report, and interpret an appropriate measure of effect size. Finally, provide at least one sentence interpreting the findings. Did cursing have an effect on pain tolerance (i.e., did participants keep their hand submerged in ice water for a longer time in the swear word condition than the neutral word condition as hypothesized)?