Chapter 1

Question 0

Critical Thinking

Answer 0

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions rather it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 1

Hindsight Bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behavior & events.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction - often implied by a theory.

Question 4

Operational Definitions

Answer 4

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables.

Ex: human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 5

Replicate

Answer 5

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Question 6

Case Study

Answer 6

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 7

Survey

Answer 7

A technique for ascertaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.

Question 8

False Consensus Effect

Answer 8

The tendency to over estimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors.

Question 9

Population

Answer 9

All the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study.

Question 10

Random Sample

Answer 10

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Question 11

Naturalistic Observations

Answer 11

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Question 12

Correlations Research

Answer 12

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Students grades and how much they sleep

Question 13

Scatterplots

Answer 13

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the value of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables.

Question 14

Illusory Correlation

Answer 14

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent variable)

Question 16

Double-blind Procedure

Answer 16

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.

Question 17

Placebo Effect

Answer 17

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which is assumed to be an active agent.

Question 18

Experimental Condition

Answer 18

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent.

Question 19

Experimental Condition

Answer 19

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 20

Control Condition

Answer 20

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Question 21

Random Assignment

Answer 21

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing pre existing differences between those assigned to the difference groups.

Question 22

Independent Variable

Answer 22

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 23

Dependent Variable

Answer 23

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable. (Engage in violent acts)

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

The most frequent occurring scores in a distribution.

Question 25

Mean

Answer 25

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the. Umber of scores.

Question 26

Median

Answer 26

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below.

Question 27

Range

Answer 27

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in the distribution.

Question 28

Standard Deviation

Answer 28

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Question 29

Statistical Significance

Answer 29

A statistical statement of how likely it is than an obtained result occurred by chance.

Question 30

Culture

Answer 30

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 31

Correlations Research

Answer 31

A measure of the extent to which 2 factors vary together and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Ex: students grades & how much they sleep

   breakfast = good grades?

Question 32

Wording Effects

Answer 32

The wording of questions is very important in research, so a researcher needs to pick their wording carefully.

Ex: Aid to the needy or Welfare
Pro-life or Anti-Abortion

Question 33

Sample

Answer 33

Small group of participants (population) out of the total number available that a researcher studies.

Question 34

Representative Sample

Answer 34

A sample that FAIRLY reflects the population being studied.

Question 35

Nonrepresentative Sample

Answer 35

A sample that UNFAIRLY reflects the population being studied. (studying height of American men - using basketball players)