Chapter 1: Psychological Tendencies/Procedures Flashcards
Hindsight bias
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it
Critical Thinking
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
Theory
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
Hypothesis
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational Definition
A statement of procedures used to define research variables
Replication
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations to see whether that finding extends to others
Case Study
Observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles
Naturalistic Observations
Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
Survey
A technique for asserting the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group b questioning a representative random sample
Population
All cases in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn
Random Sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Correlation
Measure of the extent to which 2 factors vary together and how well either factor predicts the other
Correlation Coefficent
Statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)
Scatterplot
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)
Experiment
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
Experimental Group
In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the test treatment, that is to one version of the independent variable
Control Group
In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group. Comparison for evaluating effect of treatment
Random Assignment
Assigning participant to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the assigned to different groups
Double-Blind Procedure
Experimental procedure in which both research participants and research staff are igrnoant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or the placebo
Placebo Effect
Experimental results caused by expectation, despite taking a placebo
Independent Variable
Experimental factor that is manipulated effect is being studied
Confounding Variable
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment
Dependent Variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Mode
Most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
Mean
Arithmetic average of a distribution obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the # of scores
Median
Middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
Standard Deviation
Computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Normal Curve
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
Statistical Significance
Statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
Culture
Enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Informed Consent
An ethical principle that research participants be told to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
Debriefing
the post experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
Intuition
The process humans believe they have to predict a situation and predict its outcome
Common Sense
Something humans have created based off of previous experiences in order to try and predict future events
“I knew it all along” phenomenon
Also known as hindsight bias, and it is when people think they know something but really don’t
Overconfidence
The idea that we are biased because we believe in ourselves more than logic, even after being proven wrong
Empirical Approach
Learning only through experiments and scientific observation because it is logical
Curious Skepticism
A psychological approach to a phenomenon which states that we should ask questions but not be gullible to false information
Humility
Not being afraid to be wrong and admitting mistakes and being open-minded in order to research non-biased/overconfident
Scientific Method
Process of answering a question in an unbiased way that aids in proving a theory
Bias
A perception of a subject before an experiment begins that influences the experiment
Replication
Repeating an experiment to show the underlying theory’s validity
Correlation Methods
Research that shows correlation between variables
Descriptive Methods
Research that describes behavior
Experimental Methods
Research that manipulates variables to find a theory
Wording Effects
The way a question is worded that influences the response that is given (positive or negative)
