Ch 2 Powerpoint Flashcards
Why is research important in psychology?
Research is essential to validate claims and provide empirical evidence for psychological concepts.
It helps prevent reliance on intuition and groundless assumptions.
What is empirical research?
Scientific research grounded in objective, tangible evidence that can be repeatedly observed.
It contrasts with anecdotal evidence or personal beliefs.
What are the two types of reasoning used in psychological research?
Inductive and deductive reasoning.
Inductive reasoning draws conclusions from observations, while deductive reasoning predicts results from general premises.
Define hypothesis in the context of psychological research.
A tentative and testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
It usually predicts how the world behaves if a theory is correct.
What is a theory in psychological research?
A well-developed set of ideas proposing an explanation for observed phenomena.
Theories are formed from inductive reasoning.
What is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
Inductive reasoning draws conclusions from specific observations, while deductive reasoning predicts specific outcomes based on general premises.
For example, inductive reasoning might conclude all swans are white after observing many white swans.
Describe a clinical or case study.
Focuses on one individual in an extreme or unique psychological circumstance.
It provides deep insight but is difficult to generalize to a larger population.
What is naturalistic observation?
Observation of behavior in its natural setting without interference.
It eliminates performance anxiety and observer bias.
How are surveys used in psychological research?
To gather large amounts of data from a sample of a larger population through questions.
Surveys can be administered in various formats like paper, electronically, or verbally.
What is archival research?
Research that uses past records or data sets to answer questions or identify patterns.
It can include both hardcopy and electronic records.
Differentiate between longitudinal and cross-sectional research.
Longitudinal research studies the same group over time, while cross-sectional research compares different segments of a population at one time.
Longitudinal studies often face participant attrition.
What does correlation mean in psychological research?
The relationship between two or more variables where changes in one variable relate to changes in another.
It does not imply causation.
What is a confounding variable?
An unanticipated outside factor that affects both variables of interest, potentially skewing results.
For example, temperature may affect both ice cream sales and crime rates.
True or False: Correlation indicates causation.
False.
Correlation does not imply that changes in one variable cause changes in another.
Define illusory correlations.
Seeing relationships between two things when no such relationship exists.
This can lead to prejudicial attitudes.
What is the experimental hypothesis?
A proposed explanation formulated based on observation or previous research, designed to be tested through experimentation.
It guides the experimental design.
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
To serve as a basis for comparison and control for chance factors that might influence results.
Participants in the control group do not experience the manipulated variable.
What is the placebo effect?
The phenomenon where participants’ expectations influence their experiences in a study.
It highlights the importance of using a control group receiving a placebo.
What is random assignment?
A method of assigning participants to groups where each has an equal chance of being assigned to either group.
It helps to eliminate systematic differences between groups.
Define operational definition in research.
A description of how variables will be measured and manipulated in a study.
It ensures clarity and replicability in research.
What is experimenter bias?
When a researcher’s expectations skew the results of a study.
This can be controlled through double-blind studies.
What does peer-reviewed mean in the context of scientific research?
An article reviewed by experts in the field for quality and validity before publication.
It helps ensure the reliability of research findings.
What is reliability in psychological research?
The consistency and reproducibility of a given result.
It indicates whether the same test would yield similar results over time.
What is validity in psychological research?
The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.
High validity means the results accurately reflect the concept being studied.
What do routine childhood vaccines reportedly cause in some children?
Autism
This claim has been widely discredited by subsequent research.
What did large-scale research suggest about vaccinations and autism?
Vaccinations are not responsible for causing autism.
What happened to many of the original studies linking vaccines to autism?
They have been retracted.
What financial interest was found in the leading research of the original study linking vaccines to autism?
The leading researcher had a financial interest in establishing a link.
What is reliability in research?
Consistency and reproducibility of a given result.
What does inter-rater reliability measure?
Agreement among observers on how they record and classify a particular event.
Does a reliable measurement always mean it is valid?
No, a reliable measurement does not always mean that it is measuring something correctly.
What is validity in research?
Accuracy of a given result in measuring what it is designed to measure.
Is a valid measure always reliable?
Yes, a valid measure is always reliable.
What is the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
Reviews proposals for research involving human participants.
What must researchers obtain from participants before an experiment?
Informed consent.
What does informed consent include?
Potential risks, implications of research, voluntary participation, confidentiality.
What is deception in research?
Purposely misleading experiment participants to maintain the integrity of the experiment.
What is debriefing?
Informing participants about the experiment after it concludes, especially if deception was used.
What unethical practice occurred in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?
Participants were not informed they had syphilis.
What was the outcome for many participants in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?
Many spread the disease and died.
What is the role of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?
Reviews proposals for research involving non-human animals.
What percentage of psychological research involving animals uses rodents or birds?
90%.
Why are animals used in research?
When research would be unethical in human participants.
What must researchers do regarding animal subjects?
Aim to minimize pain or distress.
