Chapter 1: Psychological Tendencies/Procedures

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Critical Thinking

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 5

Operational Definition

Answer 5

A statement of procedures used to define research variables

Question 6

Replication

Answer 6

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations to see whether that finding extends to others

Question 7

Case Study

Answer 7

Observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles

Question 8

Naturalistic Observations

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Survey

Answer 9

A technique for asserting the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group b questioning a representative random sample

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

All cases in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn

Question 11

Random Sample

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

Measure of the extent to which 2 factors vary together and how well either factor predicts the other

Question 13

Correlation Coefficent

Answer 13

Statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Question 14

Scatterplot

Answer 14

Graphical cluster of dots each of which represents the values of 2 variables. The shape of the points suggests the direction between 2 variables. Amount of scatter suggests the strength of correlation (little=more)

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

Research in which an investigator manipulates 1 or more factors to observe the effects on some behavior and mental processes…using random assignment…control other relevant factors

Question 16

Experimental Group

Answer 16

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the test treatment, that is to one version of the independent variable

Question 17

Control Group

Answer 17

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group. Comparison for evaluating effect of treatment

Question 18

Random Assignment

Answer 18

Assigning participant to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the assigned to different groups

Question 19

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 19

Experimental procedure in which both research participants and research staff are igrnoant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or the placebo

Question 20

Placebo Effect

Answer 20

Experimental results caused by expectation, despite taking a placebo

Question 21

Independent Variable

Answer 21

Experimental factor that is manipulated effect is being studied

Question 22

Confounding Variable

Answer 22

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

Question 23

Dependent Variable

Answer 23

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

Most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Question 25

Mean

Answer 25

Arithmetic average of a distribution obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the # of scores

Question 26

Median

Answer 26

Middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Question 27

Standard Deviation

Answer 27

Computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Question 28

Normal Curve

Answer 28

Symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall between the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Question 29

Statistical Significance

Answer 29

Statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Question 30

Culture

Answer 30

Enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 31

Informed Consent

Answer 31

An ethical principle that research participants be told to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Question 32

Debriefing

Answer 32

the post experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Question 33

Intuition

Answer 33

The process humans believe they have to predict a situation and predict its outcome

Question 34

Common Sense

Answer 34

Something humans have created based off of previous experiences in order to try and predict future events

Question 35

“I knew it all along” phenomenon

Answer 35

Also known as hindsight bias, and it is when people think they know something but really don’t

Question 36

Overconfidence

Answer 36

The idea that we are biased because we believe in ourselves more than logic, even after being proven wrong

Question 37

Empirical Approach

Answer 37

Learning only through experiments and scientific observation because it is logical

Question 38

Curious Skepticism

Answer 38

A psychological approach to a phenomenon which states that we should ask questions but not be gullible to false information

Question 39

Humility

Answer 39

Not being afraid to be wrong and admitting mistakes and being open-minded in order to research non-biased/overconfident

Question 40

Scientific Method

Answer 40

Process of answering a question in an unbiased way that aids in proving a theory

Question 41

Bias

Answer 41

A perception of a subject before an experiment begins that influences the experiment

Question 42

Replication

Answer 42

Repeating an experiment to show the underlying theory’s validity

Question 43

Correlation Methods

Answer 43

Research that shows correlation between variables

Question 44

Descriptive Methods

Answer 44

Research that describes behavior

Question 45

Experimental Methods

Answer 45

Research that manipulates variables to find a theory

Question 46

Wording Effects

Answer 46

The way a question is worded that influences the response that is given (positive or negative)