Chapter 1 - Vocabulary

Question 0

Overconfidence

Answer 0

Tends to often lead us to overestimate our intuition.

Question 1

Hindsight Bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe after learning an outcome that one would have foreseen it. The I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.

Question 2

Critical Thinking

Answer 2

Thinking that doesn’t blindly accept arguments or conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns, hidden values, evaluated evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 3

Scientific Method

Answer 3

Make observations, form theories, and then refine theories in the light of new observations.

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A testable prediction often implied by a theory.

Question 5

Operational Definitions

Answer 5

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 6

Replicate

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Case Study

Answer 7

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth, in hopes of revealing universal principles.

Question 8

Survey

Answer 8

A technique for ascertaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of people usually by questioning a representative random sample of them.

Question 9

False Consensus Effect

Answer 9

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors.

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

All the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for study.

Question 11

Random Sample

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Naturalistic Observations

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Correlate/Correlational research

Answer 13

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other. Correlations just describe a relationship, not causality. 0 is a low relationship while 1 is a very strong one.

Question 14

Scatter plots

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Illusory Correlation

Answer 15

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

A research method in which an investigation manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the same behavior or mental process.

Question 17

Double-blind Procedure

Answer 17

An experimental procedure in which both the researchers and participants are ignorant (blind) about whether the participants are receiving the treatment or a placebo.

Question 18

Placebo Effect

Answer 18

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 19

Experimental Condition

Answer 19

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 20

Control Condition

Answer 20

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Question 21

Random Assignment

Answer 21

Assigning the participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing per existing differences between those assigned to different groups.

Question 22

Independent Variables

Answer 22

The experimental factor that is manpulated. The variable whose effects are being studied.

Question 23

Dependent Variable

Answer 23

Outcome Factor. The variable that May change in response to the manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.

Question 25

Mean

Answer 25

The average of a distribution. Obtained by adding the scores and then dividing the total by the number of scores. Can be distorted by a few atypical scores.

Question 26

Median

Answer 26

The middle score in a distribution. Half are above and below.

Question 27

Range

Answer 27

The difference of the highest and lowest scores. It is easily distorted by a few atypical scores.

Question 28

Standard Deviation

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Statistical Signifigance

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Culture

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Wording Effects

Answer 31

The wording of a question is very important and the choice of words can skew the results. A researcher needs to pick their words carefully.