1. Research Methods

Question 1

What is PSYCHOLOGY

Answer 1

The study of behavioral and mental processes.

Question 2

3 that fall under the definition of psy?

Answer 2

1. Behaviors,
2. Emotions,
3. Thoughts

Question 3

How do psychologist conduct research? (In order)

Answer 3

1. Ask a question
2. Form hypothesis
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Publish Findings

Question 4

Variable

Answer 4

any characteristic or condition whose values can CHANGE

Question 5

Variables are used..

Answer 5

to predict an outcome

Question 6

Testable hypothesis

Answer 6

A PREDICTION that has been formulated specifically enough so that it is clear what OBSERVATIONS would confirm the PREDICTION and what OBSERVATIONS would challenge it

Question 7

Operational Definition (Lecture def)

Answer 7

specific measurement that captures the variable of interest

Question 8

Operational Definition (Textbook def)

Answer 8

a definition that translates the variable we want to the assess into a specific procedure or measurement.

Question 9

Testable hypothesis (Lecture def)

Answer 9

Prediction that makes it clear what would support the hypothesis

Question 10

Data

Answer 10

measurement or observations

Question 11

Dependent variable (DV)

Answer 11

the variable that is measured or recorded in an experiment.

measured for effects of IV

Question 12

Independent variable (IV)

Answer 12

the variable that the experimenter MANIPULATES as a basis for making predictions about the the dependent variable

Question 13

If a scientist conducts an experiment to test the theory that a vitamin could extend a person’s life-expectancy, then..

Answer 13

IV= the amount of vitamin that is given to the subjects within the experiment. (This is controlled by the experimenting scientist.)
DV = life span (being affected by the independent variable)

Question 14

Population

Answer 14

the entire group about which the investigator wants to draw conclusions.

Question 15

Sample

Answer 15

the subset of the population that the investigator studies in order to learn about the pop. at large.

Question 16

Random sampling

Answer 16

a procedure in which every member of the pop. has an equal chance of being picked to participate in a study.

Question 17

case study

Answer 17

an intensive study of one person

Question 18

external validity

Answer 18

the degrees to which a study’s participants, stimuli, and procedures adequately reflect the world as it actually is.

Question 19

correlation

Answer 19

the tendency to 2 variables to change together. If one goes up as the other goes up, the correlation is POSITIVE. If one goes up and the other goes down, the correlation is NEGATIVE.

Question 20

reliability

Answer 20

the degree of consistency with which a test measures a trait or attribute.

Question 21

validity

Answer 21

the extent to which a method or procedure measures what is supposed to measure.

Question 22

quasi-experiment

Answer 22

a comparison that relies on already-existing groups

i.e., groups the experimenter did not create

Question 23

correlation studies

Answer 23

studies in which the investigator analyzes the relationships among variables that were in place before the study, without manipulating those variables.

Question 24

third-variable problem

Answer 24

the possibility that 2 correlated variables may be changing together only due to the operation of a third variable

Question 25

experiment

Answer 25

a study of casual relationships in which the researcher manipulates an IV to examine its effect on a DV.

Question 26

experimental manipulation

Answer 26

the deliberate alteration of the IV in an experiment in order to learn about its effects on the DV

Question 27

experimental group

Answer 27

the group within an experiment that experiences the researcher’s manipulation of the IV

Question 28

control group

Answer 28

a group within an experiment that does not experience the experimental manipulation

Question 29

random assignment

Answer 29

in an experimental design, the random placement of participants in either the experimental or control groups, ensuring that the groups are matched at the outset of the experiment