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PSYCH 200 > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What does a good theory incorporate?

A

Incorporates existing facts and observations into single framework, generates new, testable hypotheses, are self correcting, simple and never regarded as absolutely true.

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2
Q

Why is it important that evidence be systematic?

A

So that findings are objective, observations are performed consistently according to specific conditons

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3
Q

What is empirical evidence?

A

Evidence that can be seen and measured. Gathering empirical evidence involves administering the same tests to the same individuals every x amount of years.

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4
Q

What is critical thinking?

A

Involves taking an active role rather than simply receiving facts.

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5
Q

What are the questions of critical thinking?

A

What is the claim? Are other explanations possible/probable? What empirical tests have been made and what was the quality? Who ran the tests? Is the source credible or trustworthy? What is the evidence and how good is it? What is the most appropriate conclusion?

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6
Q

What are the four main goals of psychology?

A
  1. Describe how people and animals behave
  2. Explain and understand the causes of these behaviours.
  3. Predict how people/animals will behave under certain conditions
  4. Influence or control behaviour through knowledge and controlling the causes in order to enhance human welfare.
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7
Q

What is the difference between basic and applied science?

A

Basic- research as a quest purely for knowledge

Applied- Research designed to solve specific problems

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8
Q

What are the 3 levels of analysis and examples of each?

A

Biological- Brain, genes, hormones
Psychological- personal thoughts, feelings, motives
Environmental- Past+current physical and social environments (school, family)

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9
Q

What is an operational definition?

A

How an experiment defines, observes, measures and manipulates an abstract concept. (Example-how do we measure happiness?)

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10
Q

What are the four ways of measuring variables?

A
  1. Self report and reports by others
  2. Measures of overt behaviours
  3. Psychological measures
  4. Physiological measures
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11
Q

What is descriptive research?

A

Describes how people and animals behave in a natural setting

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12
Q

What is a case study and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this study?

A

In depth analysis of one individual, small group or unique event. It is great for rare phenomena and to generate new hypotheses, and challenges the validity of scientific theories. However, it is not good for cause and effect, not easily generalized, and there can be measurement or observer bias.

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13
Q

What is naturalistic observation and the advantages and disadvantages of it?

A

Researcher observes behaviour in its natural setting. It can provide a rich description of behaviour in the real world, however it is not good for cause and effect (there are too many variables), measurement observer bias, and over-humanization of animals.

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14
Q

What is survey research and the advantages and disadvantages of it?

A

Information is obtained using questionaires. It is an efficient way of collecting lots of data and can reveal changes in beliefs and habits overtime. However it cannot determine cause and effect and is based on self reports.

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15
Q

What is correlational research?

A

Two or more variables are measured to determine if they are related. No manipulation is done.

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16
Q

What is the correlation coefficient?

A

Purely used for linear relations (r). Scale is from 1.00- (-1.00). Positive and negative tells us the direction of the relationship, number tells us the strength (farther from zero, the stronger the correlation)

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17
Q

What is positive correlation and negative correlation?

A

Positive: As on variable increases, the other also increases
Negative: As one variable increases, the other decreases

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18
Q

What are the 2 problems with correlational research?

A
  1. Directionality problem: uncertain as to which variable causes changes in the other
  2. Third Variable problem- correlated variables may both be caused by another 3rd variable.
19
Q

Why is correlational research important?

A
  1. We can’t ethically or practically control certain variables (ex: intelligence, height, religion)
  2. Even though it doesn’t explain causation, it can still be used to make predictions.
20
Q

What is the experimental method?

A

One or more variables is manipulated to determine if it influences other variables. This is the only method that allow for conclusion about cause.

21
Q

What is the control group in the experimental method?

A

The group that receives no treatment.

22
Q

What is a between-subjects design?

A

Different groups of participants are assigned to each “level,” of the independent variable. Ex: 50% in the control group, 50% in experimental. Problem is that groups may not be equivalent so random assignment is used

23
Q

What is a within subjects design?

A

Each participant is exposed to all levels of the independent variable. Problem is that the order of conditions can make a difference in the result, so the solution is counter-balancing, meaning the order of conditions is varied between people.

24
Q

Why have multiple variables?

A

Multiple independent variables allow you to measure interactions; rather than having a control group, the independent variable is manipulated.

25
Q

What are inferential statistics?

A

Determines whether differences between groups of the independent variables are “real” or “big enough”

26
Q

What is statistical significance?

A

Would the result happen by chance less than 5 in 100 experiments?

27
Q

What is a meta-analysis?

A

Combines results of many studies on the same topic

28
Q

What are the four key concepts in psych testing?

A
  1. Reliability- How consistent a measurement is
  2. Validity- How well a test measures what its supposed to
  3. Sampling- Must have representative sampling
  4. Standardization
29
Q

What are the ways to measure reliability?

A
  1. Test-retest: Are the scores stable over time?
  2. Inter-judge: Would the same person agree on the same results for the same persons test?
  3. Internal consistency: Do parts of the test seem to measure the same thing?
30
Q

What are the ways to measure validity?

A
  1. Construct- Does the test measure the thing it’s supposed to?
  2. Content validity- does the test measure all aspects of x?
  3. Criterion Related- Does score correlate with something meaningful?
31
Q

What are the ways of standardization?

A
  1. Define controlled testing procedures: Everyone should take the test under the same conditions
  2. Develop norms- Normal or “bell” curve for different populations. Compare average of person to other people like them.
32
Q

What is internal validity?

A

Degree to which experiment supports clear, causal solutions

33
Q

What is external validity?

A

Degree to which the results can be generalized

34
Q

What is research participant bias?

A

Changes in participant behaviour caused by unintended influence of their expectations. Research participant tries to conform to hypotheses.

35
Q

What is the placebo effect?

A

Substance with no pharmacological effects. Health of control group improves simply because of their expectations.

36
Q

What is a single blind study?

A

When participants are unaware whether they are the experimental or control group

37
Q

What is researcher bias?

A

Changes in participant behaviour caused by unintended influence from the researcher

38
Q

What is a double blind study?

A

Neither research participants or experimenters administering the drug know which is the placebo and which is the real thing.

39
Q

What are confounding variables?

A

Variables that intertwined with the independent variable.

40
Q

What is the code of ethics for psychologists?

A
  1. must protect and promote welfare of participants
  2. must avoid doing harm to participants
  3. must not carry out studies unless benefit outweighs the risk
  4. must ensure privacy and confidentiality
  5. must provide informed consent
41
Q

What is incomplete disclosure?

A

Misleading participants about the purpose of study. Sometimes it is the only way to obtain natural behaviours, despite the violation of ethics.

42
Q

What are the three measures of Central Tendency and how are they measured?

A

Mean, median and mode.
Mean is calculated like the average
Median is calculated by placing the numbers in value order and finding the middle number
Mode is the number that appears the most in the list

43
Q

What are the three measures of variability?

A

Range, interquartile range, and variance.

PSYCH 200 (9 decks)

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