Chapter 1

Question 0

Critical thinking

Answer 0

Thinking that 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 (I-knew-it-all-along)

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

An explanation that organizes and predicts observations

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 4

Operational Definitions

Answer 4

A statement of procedures (operations) used to define variables – it allows us to measure variables

Question 5

Replicate

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Case study

Answer 6

An observation technique on which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles (of us all), can suggest hypotheses for future study

Question 7

Survey

Answer 7

A technique used to find out 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 overestimate 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 (except for national studies)

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

Correlation

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Scatter plots

Answer 13

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. He amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation. Little scatter indicates higher correlation.

Question 14

Illusory Correlation

Answer 14

The perception of a relationship

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Double-blind procedure

Answer 16

Experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are blind about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo (drug evaluation studies).

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 variable *apply independent variable

Question 19

Control Condition

Answer 19

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition that serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment *do not apply independent variable

Question 20

Random Assignment

Answer 20

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups (experiments)

Question 21

Independent Variable

Answer 21

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied (violent tv watching)

Question 22

Dependent Variable

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Overconfidence

Answer 23

Thinking we know more than we do

Question 24

Scientific method

Answer 24

Making observations, forming theories, then refining the theories in the light of new observations

Question 25

Mode

Answer 25

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution (mode most)

Question 26

Mean

Answer 26

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by fading the scores and then dividing by the number of scores (mean average)

Question 27

Median

Answer 27

The middle score in a distribution; half of the scores are above it and half the scores are below (median middle)

Question 28

Range

Answer 28

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 29

Standard deviation

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Statistical significance

Answer 30

A statistical statement if how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Question 31

Culture

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Wording effects

Answer 32

How something is worded and affects the opinion of the audience