Chapter 1

Question 1

Adaptation

Answer 1

A characteristic that is well designed to help ananimal survive and reproduce in a particular environment

Question 2

Archival method

Answer 2

Examination of systematic data originally collected for other purpose (such as marriage licenses or arrest records).

Question 3

Case study

Answer 3

An intensive examination of an individual or group

Question 4

Confound

Answer 4

A variable that systematically changes along with the independent variable, potentially leading to a mistaken conclusion about the effect of the independent variable

Question 5

Correlation

Answer 5

The extent to which two or more variables are associated with eachother

Question 6

Correlation coefficient

Answer 6

A mathematical expression of the relationship between two variables

Question 7

Culture

Answer 7

The beliefs, customs, habits, and languages shared by the people living in a particular time and place

Question 8

Debriefing

Answer 8

A discussion of procedures, hypotheses, and participant reactions at the completion of the study

Question 9

Demand characteristic

Answer 9

Cue that makes the participant aware of how the experimenter expects them to behave

Question 10

Dependent variable

Answer 10

The variable measured by the experimenter

Question 11

Descriptive method

Answer 11

Procedure for measuring or recording behaviors, thoughts, and feelings in their naturalistic state - naturalistic observations, case studies, archival studies, surveys, and psychological tests

Question 12

Evolutionary perspective

Answer 12

A theoretical viewpoint that searches for the causes of social behavior in the physical and psychological predispositions that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce

Question 13

Experiment

Answer 13

A research method in which the researcher sets out to systematically manipulate one source of influence while holding others constant

Question 14

Experimental method

Answer 14

Procedure for uncovering causal processes by systematically manipulating some aspect of a situation

Question 15

External validity

Answer 15

The extent to which the results of an experiment can be generalized to other circumstances

Question 16

Field experimentation

Answer 16

The manipulation of independent variables using unknowing participants in natural settings

Question 17

Generalizability

Answer 17

The extent to which the findings of a particular research study extend to other similar circumstances or cases

Question 18

Hypothesis

Answer 18

A researcher’s prediction about what they will find

Question 19

Independent variable

Answer 19

The variable manipulated by the experimenter

Question 20

Internal validity

Answer 20

The extent to which an experiment allows confident statements about cause and effect

Question 21

Natural selection

Answer 21

The process by which characteristics that help animals survive and reproduce are passed on to their offspring

Question 22

Naturalistic observation

Answer 22

Recording every day behaviors as they unfold in their natural settings

Question 23

Observer bias

Answer 23

Error introduced into measurement When an observer overemphasizes behaviors they expects to find and fails to notice behaviors they do not expect

Question 24

Personality

Answer 24

Features or characteristics that individuals carry into social situations

Question 25

Psychological test

Answer 25

Instrument for assessing a person’s abilities, cognitions, or motivations

Question 26

Random assignment

Answer 26

The practice of assigning participants to treatments so each person has an equal chance of being in any condition

Question 27

Reliability

Answer 27

The consistency of the score yielded by a psychological test

Question 28

Replicate

Answer 28

With regard to research, to reproduce the finding of a particular study using different populations of participants or somewhat different procedure or measures

Question 29

Representative sample

Answer 29

A group of respondents having characteristics that match those of the larger population the researcher wants to describe

Question 30

Situation

Answer 30

Environmental events or circumstances outside the person

Question 31

Social cognitive perspective

Answer 31

A theoretical viewpoint that focuses on the mental processes involved in paying attention to, interpreting, and remembering social experiences

Question 32

Social desirability bias

Answer 32

The tendency for people to say what they believe is appropriate or acceptable

Question 33

Social learning perspective

Answer 33

A theoretical viewpoint that focuses on past learning experiences as determinants of a person’s social behaviors

Question 34

Social norm

Answer 34

A rule or expectation for appropriate social behavior

Question 35

Social psychology

Answer 35

The scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by other people

Question 36

Sociocultural perspective

Answer 36

The theoretical viewpoint that searches for the causes of social behavior in influences from larger social groups

Question 37

Survey method

Answer 37

A technique in which the researcher asks people to report on their beliefs, feelings, or behaviors

Question 38

Theory

Answer 38

Scientific explanation that connects and organizes existing observations and suggests fruitful paths for future research

Question 39

Validity

Answer 39

The extent to which a test measures what it is designed to measure