Behavioral Research

Question 1

Constitutive definition

Answer 1

Defines a construct using other constructs (e.g weight is the heaviness of an object)

Question 2

Operational definition

Answer 2

Assigns meaning to a construct or variable by specifying activities or operations necessary to measure it and evaluate measurement

Question 3

Two kinds of operational definitions

Answer 3

1. Measured

2. Experimental

Question 4

Measured operational definition

Answer 4

Describes how a variable will be measured

Question 5

Experimental operational definition

Answer 5

Spells out details of investigator’s manipulations

Question 6

Orthogonal axes

Answer 6

Two axes at right angle to each other

Question 7

Abscissa

Answer 7

X axis

Question 8

Ordinate

Answer 8

Y axis

Question 9

Stimulus variable

Answer 9

Any condition or manipulation by the experiment of the environment that evokes a response in an organism.

Question 10

Response variable

Answer 10

Any kind of behavior of the organism. For any behavior, there is a stimulus, so the behavior is the response.

Question 11

R = f(O,S)

Answer 11

Responses are a function of the organism and stimuli. OR Response variables are a function of organismic variables and stimulus variables.

Question 12

Organismic variable

Answer 12

Any property of an individual, any characteristic or attribute. Another name for attribute variable or subject-characteristic variable

Question 13

Polytomy

Answer 13

A division of the members of a group into 3 or more subdivisions.

Question 14

Polytomy

Answer 14

A division of the members of a group into 3 or more subdivisions.

Question 15

Concept

Answer 15

An expression of an abstraction formed from generalization of particulars

Question 16

Construct

Answer 16

A concept that has been formulated so that it can be used in science, defined that it can be observed and measured.

Question 17

Variable

Answer 17

A property that can take on different values. A symbol to which values are assigned.

Question 18

Constructs and words can be defined by

Answer 18

A. Other words or concepts.

B. Description of an implicit or explicit action or behavior

Question 19

Active variable

Answer 19

Defined by manipulation. The experimenter has control over how the values change.

Question 20

Attributive variable

Answer 20

Measured and cannot be manipulated. The experimenter has no control over the values of the variable.

Question 21

Continuous variable

Answer 21

Capable of taking on an ordered set of values within a certain range.

Question 22

Categorical variable

Answer 22

Can be assigned to a subclass or subset. Subclasses are distinct and non-overlapping. All objects put into the same category are considered to have the same characteristics.

Question 23

Latent variable

Answer 23

Unobservable entities assumed to underlie observed variables

Question 24

Intervening variables

Answer 24

Constructs that account for internal unobservable psychological processes that account for behavior. It cannot be seen but inferred from behavior.

Question 25

Theory

Answer 25

1. An abstraction, not reality. Best available explanation of a phenomenon at some point in time. Not static. Disprovable but not provable.
2. A set of propositions defined by interrelated constructs.
3. Outlines the nature of those interrelations (directional, moderation, etc.)
4. Explains phenomenon (if we can explain it, we can predict it.)

Question 26

Science

Answer 26

Systematic, planned, controlled, empirical, critical investigation into phenomenon guided by hypothesis and theories about relation between constructs. Ideally, it is a self-correcting, evolutionary process.

Question 27

Is psychology inductive or deductive?

Answer 27

Inductive. We don’t have laws. Build to broader, general theories.

Question 28

What is the problem with inductive logic as the basis for psychology?

Answer 28

Error. All samples will have error. Great effort to identify and minimize error.