Chapter 1: Introduction to Experimental Psychology

Question 1

This connotes content and process.

Answer 1

Science.

Question 2

This consists of the scientific techniques we use to collect and evaluate data.

Answer 2

Methodology.

Question 3

These are the facts we gather using scientific methods.

Answer 3

Data.

Question 4

A term for nonscientific data gathering, where the approach is to use nonscientific sources of data and nonscientific inferences.

Example: The common belief that “opposites attract.”

Answer 4

Common sense psychology.

Question 5

This is the kind of everyday, nonscientific gathering that shapes our expectations and beliefs and directs our behavior toward others.

Answer 5

Common sense psychology.

Question 6

The person’s ability to gather data in a systematic and impartial way is constrained by two (2) factors, which are?

Answer 6

1. Sources of psychological information.
2. Our inferential strategies.

Question 7

The data we gather as common sense psychologists come from sources that seem credible and trustworthy: friends, relatives, people with authority.

Answer 7

Sources of psychological information.

Question 8

This is the nonscientific use of information to explain or predict behavior.

Answer 8

Nonscientific inference.

Question 9

In this phenomenon, people misuse data to estimate the probability of an event, like when a slot machine will pay off.

Answer 9

Gambler’s fallacy.

Question 10

In this phenomenon, people falsely assume that specific behaviors cluster together. This ignores individual differences.

Answer 10

Stereotyping.

Question 11

In this phenomenon, we feel more confident about our conclusions than is warranted by available data.

Answer 11

Overconfidence bias.

Question 12

The seven (7) characteristics of modern science.

Answer 12

1. Scientific mentality.
2. Gathering empirical data.
3. Seeking general principles.
4. Good thinking.
5. Self-correction.
6. Publicizing results.
7. Replication.

Question 13

This assumes that behavior follows a natural order and can be predicted.

Answer 13

Scientific mentality.

Question 14

This concept is applied when we believe that the causes of human behavior can be researched.

Answer 14

Principle of determinism.

Question 15

Data is _________ when observed or experienced, preferably in a systematic and orderly way.

Answer 15

Empirical.

Question 16

This consists of statements generally expressed as equations with few variables that have overwhelming empirical support.

Answer 16

Law.

Question 17

This is an interim explanation; a set of related statements used to explain and predict phenomena.

Answer 17

Theory.

Question 18

These integrate diverse data, explain behavior, and predict new instances of behavior.

Answer 18

Theories.

Question 19

This is critical to the scientific method; this is when data collection and interpretation are systematic, objective, and rational.

Answer 19

Good thinking.

Question 20

This concept emphasizes the basic premise that entities should not be multiplied without necessity.

Answer 20

Occam’s Razor.

Question 21

This principle states that we prefer the simplest useful explanation.

Answer 21

Parsimony (principle of parsimony).

Question 22

The four (4) major objectives of research conducted in psychology.

Answer 22

1. Description.
2. Prediction.
3. Explanation.
4. Control.

Question 23

In psychological science, this refers to a systematic and unbiased account of the observed characteristics of behaviors.

Answer 23

Description.

Question 24

This refers to the capacity for knowing in advance when certain behaviors would be expected to occur.

Answer 24

Prediction.

Question 25

This includes knowledge of the conditions that reliably reproduce the occurrence of a behavior.

Answer 25

Explanation.

Question 26

This refers to the application of what has been learned about behavior.

Answer 26

Control.

Question 27

This is research that is designed to solve real-world problems.

Answer 27

Applied research.

Question 28

This is research designed to test theories or to explain psychological phenomena in humans and animals.

Answer 28

Basic research.

Question 29

The three (3) main tools of scientific method.

Answer 29

1. Observation. 2. Measurement. 3. Experimentation.

Question 30

This is the systematic noting and recording of events.

Answer 30

Observation.

Question 31

This is quantifying an event or behavior according to generally accepted rules.

Answer 31

Measurement.

Question 32

This is a process undertaken to demonstrate that already observed events will occur consistently under a particular set of conditions.

Answer 32

Experimentation.

Question 33

This refers to the circumstances that come before the event or behavior that we want to explain.

Answer 33

Antecedent condition.

Question 34

A specific set of antecedent conditions created by the experimenter and presented to subjects to test its effect on behavior.

Answer 34

Treatment condition.

Question 35

This is a controlled procedure in which at least two different treatment conditions are applied to subjects.

Answer 35

Psychology experiment.

Question 36

Experiments establish a ________ ____________, which means that causes must precede effects.

Answer 36

Temporal relationship.

Question 37

This refers to any field of study that gives the appearance of being scientific, but has no true scientific basis and has not been confirmed using the scientific method.

Answer 37

Pseudoscience.