ch.2, PSYC 102 Flashcards
intuition
a subjective feeling about what makes sense/seems logical to you
theory-data cycle
basis of the scientific method
cycle where a theory is developed and then compared with collected data that either confirms or deny the theory
theory
an organized set of principles that describes what people do and why
hypothesis
a statement of a relationship between two things (dependant and independent variables)
a prediction about what will happen based on the theory
idea
unorganized principles or thoughts about social behaviour
data
observations from a study (usually in numerical form)
If data collected in a study do not confirm a hypothesis, what is likely to happen?
When data don’t support the theory, the researchers might need to change the theory. Alternatively, researchers might take the information from the study and try to redesign the study by measuring more carefully or collecting a larger sample of participants.
variable
something of interest that can vary between people or situations
measured variables
used in every study
observed and recorded in numeric form
manipulated variable
the researcher controls by assigning different participants to different levels of that variable
ie: A researcher could manipulate the variable cell phone use by assigning some people to talk on the phone while driving and others to talk to a person in the passenger’s seat
what are operational defintions?
a definition of the variable in terms of the techniques used to measure or manipulate it
ie: asking people to rate how they feel based on a given scale
what is operationalizing?
concept -> number
converting their concept of the variables they want to study, such as degree of intoxication or aggression, into concrete, quantifiable, and measurable variables
experience
assumptions based on personal experiences. Whether or not these assumptions are correct, they are all faulty because they rely on only one case or perspective to draw broader conclusions
