Chapter 2: Conducting Research in Psychology Flashcards
What are the 5 procedures of the scientific method?
Observe, Predict, Test, Interpret, Communicate (OPTIC)
What is scientific thinking?
Using the cognitive skills required to generate, test, and revise theories
Theory
Set of related assumptions from which scientists can make testable predictions
Hypothesis
A specific, informed, and testable prediction of the outcome of a particular set of conditions in a research design
Replication
The repetition of a study to confirm the results; essential to the scientific process
Pseudoscience
Refers to claims that are presented as scientific that arent supported by evidence used with the scientific method
Research designs
Plans of action for how to conduct a scientific study
What is are some examples of pseudoscience or fake psychology?
Astrology, Graphology, Palmistry, Phrenology
Variable
A characteristic that changes or varies, such as age gender weight intelligence anxiety extraversion
Population
The entire group a researcher is interested in; for example all humans, all boys, all girls
Sample
Subsets of the population studied in a research project (instead of all college students, research only black campuses)
What is used more in research, population or samples
Samples
Descriptive designs
Study designs in which the researcher defines a problem and variable of interest but makes no prediction and does not control or manipulate anything
Naturalistic observation
A study in which the researcher unobtrusively observes and records behavior in the real world
Case study
A study design in which a psychologist, often a therapist, observes one person in depth over a long period of time (or group or event)
Representative sample
A research sample that accurately reflects the population of people one is studying
Correlational design
Studies that measure two or more variables and their relationship to one another; not designed to show causation
Experiment
Research design that includes independent and dependent variables and random assignment of participants to control and experimental groups or conditions
Independent variable
The variable that is manipulated under controlled conditions
Dependent variable
Outcome or response to the manipulation
For variables, which is the cause and which is the effect?
Independent - cause
Dependent - effect
Random assignment
The method used to assign participants to different research conditions so that all participants have the same chance of being in any specific group
Experimental group
The participants in random assignment that will receive treatment or whatever is predicted to change behavior
Control group
Participants treated just as same in experimental group but do not receive independent variable or treatment. Mostly get no special treatment or a placebo (appear identical treatment but not active substance in treatment)
Confounding variable
Variable whose influence on the dependent variable cannot be separated from the independent variable being examined
Single blind studies
Participants dont know the experimental condition to which they have been assigned
Double blind studies
Neither participants or researchers know who has been assigned to experiment or control group
Experimenter expectancy effects
Result that occurs when the behavior of the participants is influenced by the experimenters knowledge of who is in the control or experimental group
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Statement that changed events to cause a belief or prediction to become true
An example of self fulfilling prophecy
Say ‘ i will fail test ‘ , dont study, and fail test
Meta analysis
Research technique for combining all research results on one question and drawing a conclusion
Effect size
A measure of the strength of the relationship between two variables or the extent of an experimental effect
Measures
The tools and techniques used to assess thought and behavior
Self reports
Peoples written or oral accounts of their thoughts feelings or actions
Behavioral measures
Measures based on a systematic observation of peoples actions either in their normal environment or lab setting
Social desirability bias
The tendency toward favorable self presentation that could lead to inaccurate self reports
Physiological measures
Measures of bodily responses, such as blood pressure or heart rate, used to determine changes in psychological state
Statistics
Collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of numerical data
descriptive statistics
measures used to describe and summarize research
mean
the arithmetic average of a series of numbers
median
the score that separates the lower half of scores from the upper half.
mode
a statistic that represents the most commonly occurring score or value
standard deviation
a statistical measure of how much scores in a sample vary around the mean
frequency
number of times a particular score occurs in a set of data
Another word for normal distribution?
Bell curve
ethics
the rules governing the conduct of a person or group in general or in a specific situation—or more simply, standards of right and wrong
debriefing
the explanation of the purposes of a study following data collection
institutional review boards (IRBs)
organizations that evaluate research proposals to make sure research involving humans does not cause undue harm or distress.
quasi-experimental design
research method similar to an experimental design except that it makes use of naturally occurring groups rather than randomly assigning subjects to groups
Psychology comes in what 3 shapes scientifically?
Physical (chemistry)
Biological (body, life)
Social (interaction w. environment)
Psychology is considered a social science, but in 30 years it is predicted to be considered
A biological science
In what way is science an attitude?
Questions authority, open skepticism, intellectual honesty
Science is cumulative in what way?
Overtime you know more, its a process
What are some good examples of self reports?
Questionaries’, interviews
What are some descriptive methods (observe/describe behavior)?
Self reports, quizological (psychological), behavioral (watch something like a tv for experiment)
What are the advantages of naturalistic observation?
You can watch events as how they really unfold
What are the advantages of laboratory observation?
You can manipulate experiment in labs
What is an example of a case study?
Studying a case that is rare, such as a photophobia (Fear of light), or studying a case specific to a particular group of people. A unique, in depth study overall
What are some cons with surveys?
People could lie
What is an example of correlational designs?
The correlation between the relationship of SAT scores and college GPA. (Remember, not intended to show ‘causation’ meaning that high sat does not mean high college gpa, just examining a correlation)
Why does correlation not mean causation?
Because while a might cause b, or b might cause a, a third variable not mentioned in the correlation may cause both a and b.
example: more people die when ice cream sales are high. variable c: because in the summer more ice cream is sold.
How is correlation measured and what is its meaning?
Correlation is measured from -1 to 1. The Further away from zero, positive or negative, the stronger the correlation. If its zero, neither strong or positive, there’s no correlation
What are the 5 provisions of the APA ethical guidelines that is regulated when psychologists research with humans?
Informed consent & voluntary participation
Respect for persons
Beneficence
Privacy and confidentiality
Information about the study and debriefing (explanation of purposes)
What is the state of ethical research with animals?
Very controversial. strict laws and stand standards govern treatment
