Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two core tenets of science?

A

The universe operates according to certain natural laws, and such laws are discoverable and testable

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2
Q

What is the scientific method?

A

A method used to discover the laws governing the universe

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3
Q

What is psychology?

A

The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes

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4
Q

What is pseudopsychology?

A

Commenting on human behavior and mental processes without using the scientific method (e.g., parapsychology, astrology, psychics)

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5
Q

What is inductive reasoning?

A

Starts with observation and leads to a general theory

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6
Q

What is deductive reasoning?

A

Starts with a theory and leads to predictions about specific situations

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7
Q

What is hypothetico-deductive reasoning?

A

The testing of hypotheses

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8
Q

What is an independent variable (IV)?

A

The variable that you manipulate in an experiment

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9
Q

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

A

The variable that you measure or that is changed by the IV

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10
Q

Identify the IV and DV: Dr. Smith examines how daily exposure to a sun lamp impacts people’s depression levels.

A

IV: Sun lamp exposure; DV: Depression levels

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11
Q

What is an operational definition?

A

How the researcher decides to measure their variables

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12
Q

What is a population in research?

A

The entire group that is of interest to researchers

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13
Q

What is a sample in research?

A

A portion of the population that is selected for the study

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14
Q

What is random selection?

A

Randomly choosing a sample from a population

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15
Q

What is sampling bias?

A

Choosing a sample that does not represent your population

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16
Q

What is descriptive research?

A

Research method used to observe and describe behavior

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17
Q

What is experimental research?

A

Research method used to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships between variables

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18
Q

What are case studies?

A

An intensive study of 1 or 2 people

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19
Q

What is naturalistic observation?

A

Systematic observation of people behaving as they normally do

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20
Q

What are surveys?

A

Asking people directly about their behaviors using questionnaires or interviews

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21
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of case studies?

A

Advantages: Can study rare behaviors, very detailed. Disadvantages: Cannot generalize results, cannot determine cause and effect

22
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic observation?

A

Advantages: Can study unethical topics, natural behavior. Disadvantages: Time-consuming, cannot determine cause and effect

23
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of surveys?

A

Advantages: Quick data collection, cheap. Disadvantages: People may lie, cannot determine cause and effect

24
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables

25
Q

What is a theory?

A

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world

26
Q

What is one key advantage of experimental research?

A

It can establish cause and effect.

27
Q

What is a key disadvantage of experimental research?

A

Results might not be generalizable.

28
Q

What does experimental research examine?

A

How one variable causes another variable to change.

29
Q

What is the role of the experimental group in an experiment?

A

It is the group exposed to the independent variable (IV).

30
Q

What is the role of the control group in an experiment?

A

It is the group not exposed to the IV, used for comparison.

31
Q

What is random assignment in experimental research?

A

Randomly assigning participants to groups to make them similar before the study.

32
Q

What is a double-blind procedure?

A

Neither the participant nor the researcher knows who is in which group.

33
Q

What is the goal of descriptive research?

A

To show if there is a relationship between variables.

34
Q

What does experimental research use to test hypotheses?

A

Statistics to indicate meaningful differences between groups.

35
Q

What is a positive correlation?

A

When one variable increases, the other increases.

36
Q

What is a negative correlation?

A

When one variable increases, the other decreases.

37
Q

Why can’t correlations determine cause and effect?

A

Because two variables may be related but not causally linked.

38
Q

What is descriptive statistics?

A

It describes the data in an experiment.

39
Q

What is the mean in descriptive statistics?

A

The average of all the scores.

40
Q

What is standard deviation?

A

It shows how much participants’ scores vary from one another.

41
Q

What is inferential statistics?

A

It helps draw conclusions from the data using tests like p-values.

42
Q

What does a p-value indicate?

A

The probability that the experiment’s results are not due to chance.

43
Q

What p-value is typically considered statistically significant?

A

A p-value lower than .05.

44
Q

What do Research Ethics Boards (REB) do?

A

They evaluate research to protect participants’ rights.

45
Q

What is informed consent?

A

Participants’ permission after knowing the study’s risks and benefits.

46
Q

What must researchers protect participants from?

A

Harm and discomfort.

47
Q

What must be protected in research involving participants?

A

Confidentiality.

48
Q

What is the role of the Canadian Council on Animal Care?

A

It oversees research involving animals as subjects.

49
Q

When can animals be used in research?

A

When the research promises significant benefit and there is no alternative.

50
Q

What are humane research guidelines for using animals?

A

Using the smallest number of animals and limiting all pain and distress.