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Psychology 201: Exam 1 > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Scientific Method

A

The scientific method is how psychologists gain knowledge about mind and behavior.

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2
Q

What are the five steps to scientific methods?

A
  1. Observing some phenomenon.
  2. Formulating hypotheses and prediction.
  3. Testing through empirical research.
  4. Drawing conclusions.
  5. Evaluating the theory.
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3
Q

Theory

A

A broad idea or set of closely related ideas that attempts to explain observations and to make predictions about future observations. A set of testable propositions. Can gain support or loose support. “If this is true, then you would expect…”

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4
Q

Observation

A

The first step is detecting some phenomena. Examples are public protests, number of women in STEM jobs, arguments with spouses. You have to ask questions and don’t limit yourself to observation. Then, you can contextualize observation within a theory.

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5
Q

Hypothesis

A

Educated guess about an outcome that is derived logically from a theory. An expectation that can be tested.

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6
Q

Prediction

A

A statement about the specific expectation for the outcome of a study.

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7
Q

Empiricism

A

Knowledge from the senses.

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8
Q

Empirical Method

A

A system of testing hypotheses through the collection of objective observations and data, then using logical reasoning to make decisions.

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9
Q

Variables

A

Anything that can change.

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10
Q

Operational definition

A

A definition that provides an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed in a particular study.

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11
Q

Drawing conclusions

A

Evaluate the hypotheses you made at the beginning of the study. Does the data support your hypotheses? Then it goes to be peer reviewed (An experiment is done before this).

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12
Q

Peer review

A

Other experts in the field see an antonymous copy of the paper and they judge the work. Once it is made public then all scientists see the paper and judge it.

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13
Q

Replication

A

Repeating a study and getting the same results.

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14
Q

Direct replication

A

Doing the same study precisely as it was conducted in its original form.

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15
Q

Conceptual Replication

A

Doing the study with different methods or different types of samples.

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16
Q

Reliability

A

Consistency over time. This is important in science because it shows that it was not changing and they were measuring it accurately.

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17
Q

Meta-analyses

A

A statistical procedure that summarizes a large body of evidence form the research literature on a particular topic, allowing the researcher to assess the strength of the relationship between the variables.

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18
Q

What are the three types of psychological research?

A

Descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research.

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19
Q

Descriptive research

A

Research that describes a phenomena, what it is how often it occurs, etc.

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20
Q

Observation

A

Must be systematic, know what you are observing, when and where and how.

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21
Q

Surveys

A

Presents a standard set of questions (items) to obtain self-reported attitudes and beliefs.

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22
Q

Likert Scales

A

A survey that answered something on a scale from 1 to 5.

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23
Q

Case studies/ case history

A

An in depth look at a single individual in very unique or rare circumstances. While these may be valuable, they may not be generalized.

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24
Q

Correlational Research

A

Correlations examine the specific relationship between two variables to determine how the two variables change together. Correlation is not a relationship but it means that you have done the math for it. It is the degree of relationship between two variables expressed numerically through a correlation coefficient.

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25
Q

Strengthen in correlation

A

How close the dots are to the line.

26
Q

Form

A

Squiggly or not squiggly

27
Q

Direction

A

Positive or negative

28
Q

Does correlation imply causation?

A

No!! Correlation never implies causation.

29
Q

Why does correlation not imply causation?

A

There could be a third variable that is causing that relationship (confounding).

30
Q

What are the two ways to look at variables that change overtime?

A

Cross-sectional design and longitudinal design.

31
Q

Third variable problem

A

The circumstance in which a variable that has not been measured accounts for the relationship between two other variables. Third variables are also known as confounds.

32
Q

Cross-sectional design

A

A type of correlational study in which variables are measured at a single point in time. Get multiple groups at one time.

33
Q

Longitudinal design

A

Involves obtaining measures of variables of interest overtime. Get one group and watch them for a long time.

34
Q

What is the value of correlational research?

A

Allows researchers to predict a score on a variable based on measures from another. Can be used to study real world events. Can still learn things that we might not have access to because they would be unethical.

35
Q

Quasi-experimental

A

Researchers might compare individuals who have been exposed to a natural disaster to a similar group not so exposed (Ex pregnant smoking women). Similar to experiments but without random assignment. Experiments would be unethical or impossible in some situations so they have to do quasi-experimental.

36
Q

Experiment Research

A

Researcher manipulates one or more variables believed to influence another variable. Only kind of relationship that allows us to determine cause.

37
Q

Independent variable

A

A manipulated experiment factor. Experimenter changes this variable to see how it influences the dependent variable.

38
Q

Dependent Variable

A

May change in response to the independent variable.

39
Q

A confederate

A

Somebody posing as a research participant but they are an actor.

40
Q

Experimental group

A

Participants who receive the independent variable or “treatment”

41
Q

Control group

A

As similar to the experimental group as possible, but not exposed to the independent variable.

42
Q

Random assignment

A

Assignment of participants to groups by chance to reduce likelihood on a difference between groups due to preexisting differences.

43
Q

External validity

A

The degree to which an experimental design actually reflects the real world issues it is supposed to address.

44
Q

Internal validity

A

The degree to which changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.

45
Q

Experimenter bias

A

The influence of the experimenter’s expectations on the outcome of the research.

46
Q

Demand charateristic

A

Any aspect of a study that communicates to the participants how the experimenter wants them to behave.

47
Q

Confounds

A

Systematic biases that influence the dependent variable.

48
Q

Research participant bias

A

In an experiment, the influence of participants’ expectations, and of their thoughts on how they should behave, on their behavior.

49
Q

Placebo effect

A

A phenomenon in which the expectation of the participants, rather than actual treatment, produces an outcome.

50
Q

Placebo

A

In a drug study, a harmless substance that has no psychological effect, given to participants in a control group so that they are treated identically to the experimental group except for the active agent.

51
Q

Double-blind experiment

A

An experimental design in which neither the experimenter nor the participants are aware of which participants are in the experimental group and which are in the control group until the results are calculated.

52
Q

Population

A

The entire group the researcher wants to draw conclusions about.

53
Q

Sample

A

Subset chosen by the researcher to study. Should be a representation of the population.

54
Q

Random assignment

A

All members of a population have the same probability of being included in the sample.

55
Q

Laboratory Setting

A

Controlled setting used to minimize interference from outside factors. People often know they are in the study so may behave unnaturally and will be hard to examine some phenomena.

56
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Observation of behavior in a real-world setting.

57
Q

Descriptive analysis

A

Math used to describe and summarize sets of data in meaningful ways.

58
Q

Inferential statistics

A

Math used to indicate whether the data sufficiently supports a hypothesis. The results is a probability about how likely it is that the observed differences are due to chance.

59
Q

What is something all research has to go through to be ethical?

A

All research has to be approved by the Institutional review board (IRB) for informed consent, confidentiality, debriefing, and deception.

60
Q

What is your responsibility with psychology?

A

Scientists will not always be the people talking to you about science and its findings. Try to avoid overgeneralization with little info. Statistics about a group do not represent every individual equally well. A single study does not give anyone all of the answers. Do not frivolously attribute caused. Consider your sources.

Psychology 201: Exam 1 (4 decks)

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