Chapter 2

Question 1

Psychologists assume that behavior is governed by what?

Answer 1

Laws or principles, just as the movement of the Earth around the Sun is governed by the laws of gravity.

Question 2

Goals of scientific research (the scientific enterprise)

Answer 2

1. Measurement and description
2. Understanding and prediction
3. Application and control

Question 3

Testing a scientific investigation

Answer 3

Step 1: Formulate a Testable Hypothesis
Step 2: Select the Research Method and Design the Study
Step 3: Collect the Data
Step 4: Analyze the Data and Draw Conclusions
Step 5: Report the Findings

Question 4

Independent variable

Answer 4

What the researcher controls

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

What the researcher measures

This changes as a result of changing the independent variable. It depend on the independent variable

Question 6

Experimental group

Answer 6

The subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable

Question 7

Control group

Answer 7

Similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group (nothing happens to them)

Question 8

Extraneous variables

Answer 8

Any variables (often unplanned) other than the independent variable that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.

Question 9

Confounding of variables

Answer 9

Occurs when two variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects

Often independent and extraneous variables, making data difficult to interpret

Question 10

How did Schachter’s experiment work?

Answer 10

Half of the participants were warned that they were going to be shocked and that the shocks would be very painful. They made up the high-anxiety group. The other half of the participants (the low-anxiety group) were told that the shocks would be mild and painless. In reality, there was no plan to shock anyone at any time

Question 11

r value

d value

Answer 11

r is Pearson correlation coefficient. Range is from -1 to 1, -1 having no correlation, 1 having total correlation, 0 being neutral.

d is Cohen’s statistic. Quantifies the difference between two groups in standardized units

Question 12

Independent and dependent variables in Schachter’s experiment?

Answer 12

Independent variable was the participants’ anxiety level

The dependent variable was the subjects’ desire to be with others

Question 13

Validity

Answer 13

Measuring what you intended to measure

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

Someone else can replicate the experiment

Question 15

Operational definition

Answer 15

Describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable