Chapter 1

Question 1

What is the interaction effect?

Answer 1

Different causes may interact with eachother to produce changes in a dependent variable (A + B = changes in C)

Question 2

Define moderation.

Answer 2

The relationship between two variables depends on a third variable (A causes C but is also dependent on levels of B)

Question 3

Define mediation.

Answer 3

This occurs when the relationship between two variables is explained by a third variable (A causes B and B causes C)

Question 4

What is gestalt psychology?

Answer 4

Looking at a whole object rather than specific aspects

Question 5

Define hindsight bias.

Answer 5

Tendency to see an outcome as inevitable once the actual outcome is known

Question 6

What is postmodernism?

Answer 6

Realities are only social constructs and are therefore subject to change

Question 7

Define social representations.

Answer 7

Socially shared beliefs and values associated with our cultures

Question 8

What is a qualitative methodology?

Answer 8

Research approach based on the systematic measurement of events or phenomena and the statistical analysis of data

Question 9

Define demand characteristics.

Answer 9

Aspects of a study that participants may interpret as “demanding” a particular response

Question 10

Define an independent variable.

Answer 10

The variable that is manipulated to have an outcome on the dependent variable

Question 11

Define a dependent variable.

Answer 11

The variable that is measured -it is influenced by the independent variable

Question 12

Define external validity.

Answer 12

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and to other people.

Question 13

Define internal validity.

Answer 13

Refers to how well an experiment is done, especially whether it avoids confounding (more than one possible independent variable [cause] acting at the same time). The less chance for confounding in a study, the higher its internal validity is

Question 14

What is a field experiment?

Answer 14

An experiment that is set up in the ‘real world’ - participants are usually unaware it is an experiment

Question 15

What are confounding variables?

Answer 15

Variables that are too closely related within the experiment making it difficult to know which is having an effect

Question 16

What is a field study?

Answer 16

A type of observational study where the researcher goes into the field to observe naturalistic behaviors

Question 17

Define self-selection.

Answer 17

A problem arising when a result in a study becomes difficult to interpret because participants with certain attitudes or characteristics disproportionally select themselves to participate in the research

Question 18

Define construct validity.

Answer 18

The degree to which a test measures what it claims, or purports, to be measuring

Question 19

Define statistical significance.

Answer 19

Is the likelihood that a relationship between two or more variables is caused by something other than random chance

Question 20

What is an individualistic culture?

Answer 20

People are oriented around the self - independent, instead of identifying with a group mentality. They see each other as only loosely linked, and value personal goals above that of the group

Question 21

What is a collectivist culture?

Answer 21

A culture based on valuing the needs of a group or a community over the individual. Kinship, family, and community are extremely important. People tend to work together to create harmony and group cohesion is extremely valued

Question 22

Define deception.

Answer 22

Participants are mislead about the purpose of the research

Question 23

What is a confederate?

Answer 23

A member of the research team who poses as a real participant and is instructed to interact/respond in a predetermined way

Question 24

What is a debrief?

Answer 24

Participants are informed he purpose, aims and hypothesis of the research - any deception in an experiment is to be discussed during the debrief