Chapter 2: Doing Social Psychology Research

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

A testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

An organised set of principles used to explain observed phenomena

Question 3

Basic Research

Answer 3

Research whose goal is to increase the understanding of human behavior, often by testing hypotheses based on a theory

Question 4

Applied Research

Answer 4

Research whose goal is to make applications to the world and contribute to the solution of social problems

Question 5

Operational Definition

Answer 5

The specific procedures for manipulating or measuring a conceptual variable

Question 6

Construct Validity

Answer 6

The extent to which the measures used in a study measure the variables they were designed to measure and the manipulations in an experiment manipulate the variables they were designed to manipulate

Question 7

Bogus Pipeline Technique

Answer 7

A procedure in which research participants are (falsely) led to believe that their responses will be verified by an infallible lie detector

Question 8

Interrater Reliability

Answer 8

The degree to which different observers agree on their observations

Question 9

Descriptive Research

Answer 9

To describe people and their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

Question 10

Archival Studies

Answer 10

Involves examining existing records of past events and behaviors, such as newspaper articles, medical records, diaries, sports statistics, personal ads, crime statistics, or hits on a website

Question 11

Survey

Answer 11

A voluntary questionnaire

Question 12

Observational Studies

Answer 12

Studying behaviors in a natural environment

Question 13

Random Sampling

Answer 13

A method of selecting participants for a study so that everyone in a population has an equal chance of being in the study

Question 14

Correlational Research

Answer 14

Research designed to measure the association between variables that are not manipulated by the researcher

Question 15

Correlational Coefficient

Answer 15

A statistical measure of the strength and direction of the association between two variables

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

A form of research that can demonstrate causal relationships because (1) the experimenter has control over the events that occur and (2) participants are randomly assigned to conditions

Question 17

Random Assignment

Answer 17

A method of assigning participants to the various conditions of an experiment so that each participant in the experiment has an equal chance of being in any of the conditions

Question 18

Independent Variable

Answer 18

In an experiment, a factor that experimenters manipulate to see if it affects the dependent variable.

Question 19

Dependent Variable

Answer 19

In an experiment, a factor that experimenters measure to see if it is affected by the independent variable

Question 20

Subject Variable

Answer 20

A variable that characterizes preexisting differences among the participants in a study

Question 21

Internal Validity

Answer 21

The degree to which there can be reasonable certainty that the independent variables in an experiment caused the effects obtained on the dependent variables

Question 22

Confound

Answer 22

A factor other than the independent variable that varies between the conditions of an experiment, thereby calling into question what caused any effects on the dependent variable

Question 23

Experimenter Expectancy Effects

Answer 23

The effects produced when an experimenter’s expectations about the results of an experiment affect his or her behavior toward a participant and thereby influence the participant’s responses

Question 24

External Validity

Answer 24

The degree to which there can be reasonable confidence that the results of a study would be obtained for other people in other situations

Question 25

Mundane Realism

Answer 25

The degree to which the experimental situation resembles places and events in the real world

Question 26

Experimental Realism

Answer 26

The degree to which experimental procedures are involving to participants and lead them to behave naturally and spontaneously

Question 27

Deception

Answer 27

In the context of research, a method that provides false information to participants

Question 28

Confederate

Answer 28

Accomplice of an experimenter who, in dealing with the real participants in an experiment, acts as if he or she is also a participant

Question 29

Meta-Analysis

Answer 29

A set of statistical procedures used to review a body of evidence by combining the results of individual studies to measure the overall reliability and strength of particular effects

Question 30

Informed Consent

Answer 30

An individual’s deliberate, voluntary decision to participate in research, based on the researcher’s description of what will be required during such participation

Question 31

Debriefing

Answer 31

A disclosure, made to participants after research procedures are completed, in which the researcher explains the purpose of the research, attempts to resolve any negative feelings, and emphasizes the scientific contribution made by the participants’ involvement