Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PSYC 101 > Chapter 2: Methods > Flashcards

Chapter 2: Methods Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Physics 101 flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards Chemistry 101 flashcards Biology 101 flashcards Organic Chemistry 101 flashcards Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Dogmatism

A

People’s tendency to cling to their beliefs and assumptions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Empiricism

A

Belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation; Backbone of the scientific method

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Scientific Method

A

A procedure for using empirical evidence to establish facts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Theories

A

Hypothetical explanations of natural phenomena

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Hypothesis

A

A falsifiable prediction made by a theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why are hypotheses falsifiable?

A

Observations we make can prove hypotheses wrong. There are certain theories that we cannot test using the scientific method, thus we cannot evaluate its veracity (doesn’t mean it’s wrong).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Theories can never be proved right. Why?

A

Observations that are consistent with out theory can increase our confidence that it is right, however we can never be absolutely sure that it is because future observations may prove it wrong.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Empirical method

A

Set of rules and techniques for observation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

3 qualities that make human beings difficult to study

A

We are highly complex, variable, and reactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Limitations of everyday observations

A

Incomplete and inconsistent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Two steps in the measurement of a property

A
  1. Define the property- generate an operational definition with construct validity
  2. Detect the property- design an instrument with reliability and power
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Operational definition

A

A description of a property in measurable terms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Construct validity

A

Extent to which operational definition adequately characterises the property

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What makes a good detector?

A
  1. Power- ability to detect the presence of differences/changes in the property’s magnitude
  2. Reliability- ability to detect the absence of differences/changes in property’s magnitude
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Aspects of an observational setting that cause people to behave as they think someone else wants or expects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Technique for gathering scientific information by unobtrusively observing people in their natural environments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Techniques for avoiding demand characteristics

A

Privacy and anonymity, measuring behaviour that is not under a person’s voluntary control, unawareness of the true purpose of the observation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Expectations can influence…

A

Observations and reality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Observer bias

A

Tendency for observers’ expectations to influence both what they believe they observed and what they actually observed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Double-blind study

A

Technique to avoid observer bias; a study in which neither the researcher nor the participant knows how the participants are expected to behave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Population vs. Sample

A

A complete collection of people vs. A partial collection of people/animals/things drawn from a population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

2 techniques for making sense out of big spreadsheets

A

Graphic representations and descriptive statistics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Frequency distribution

A

Graphic representation showing the number of times in which the measurement of a property takes on each of its possible values

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Negatively skewed vs. Positively skewed distribution

A

Leans to the right vs. Leans to the left

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Normal distribution

A

Mathematically defined distribution in which the frequency of measurements is highest in the middle and decreases symmetrically in both directions i.e. a bell curve or Gaussian distribution

26
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Brief summary statements that capture the essential information from a frequency distribution

27
Q

2 most common kinds of descriptive statistics

A

Those that describe the central tendency of a frequency distribution and those that describe the variability

28
Q

Descriptions of central tendency vs. Descriptions of variability

A

Statements about the value of measurements that tend to lie near the centre or midpoint of the frequency distribution vs. About the extent to which measurements differ from each other

29
Q

3 most common descriptions of central tendency

A

Mode (value of most frequently observed measurement), mean (average value of all measurements), median (value in the middle)

30
Q

Measure of central tendency in a normal distribution

A

Mean, mode, and median all have the same value

31
Q

Measures of variability

A

Range (value of largest measurement in frequency distribution minus value of the smallest; can be distorted by extreme values) and Standard deviation (statistic that describes how each of the measurements differs from the mean)

32
Q

Variables

A

Properties that can take on different values

33
Q

Correlation

A

Occurs when variations in the value of one variable are synchronised with variations in the value of the other variable; allows us to make educated guesses about measurements

34
Q

Estimations of the accuracy of predictions from a correlation

A

Measuring correlation’s direction and strength

35
Q

Positive correlation

A

More is more

36
Q

Negative correlation

A

More is less

37
Q

Correlation coefficient (r)

A

Mathematical measure of both the direction and strength of a correlation; has a limited range

38
Q

Perfect positive correlation

A

Every time the value of a variable increases by a certain amount, the value of a second variable also increases by a certain amount; r=1

39
Q

Perfect negative correlation

A

Every time the value of a variable increases by a certain amount, the value of a second variable decreases by a certain amount; r=-1

40
Q

No correlation

A

Every time the value of a variable increases by a certain amount, the value of a second variable neither increases nor decreases systematically; r=0

41
Q

Exceptions to the rule of perfect positive correlation

A

The farther the dot is from the diagonal line, the greater an exception it is. The more data points farther from the line, the weaker the positive correlation is (r is closer to 0 than 1).

42
Q

Natural correlations

A

Correlations we observe in the world around us; tells us the relationship between two variable but not why that relationship exists

43
Q

Third-variable problem

A

The fact that the natural correlation between two variables cannot be taken as evidence of a causal relationship between them because a third variable might be causing them both

44
Q

Experimentation

A

Technique for establishing the causal relationship between variables; eliminates two of the three possible causes

45
Q

Manipulation

A

Technique for determining the causal power of a variable by actively changing its value; manipulate one variable (different conditions) and measure the other

46
Q

Three steps of experimentation

A
  1. Manipulate the independent variable, which creates at least 2 conditions
  2. Measure the dependent variable
  3. Compare the value of the variable in different conditions. If they differ on average, changes to the value of the independent variable caused changes to the value of the dependent variable.
47
Q

Self-selection

A

A problem that occurs when anything about a participant determines the participant’s condition

48
Q

Random assignment

A

Procedure that assigns participants to a condition by chance; ensures that participants in the each condition are equal, on average, in terms of all possible third variables

49
Q

How can you tell if random assignment has failed?

A

Calculating the odds that it has failed through statistical testing; psychologists do not accept the experiment results unless the probability (p) that the it would have been observed if random assignment had failed is less than 5% (p<0.05)

50
Q

Internal validity

A

An attribute of an experiment that allows it to establish causal relationships

51
Q

External validity

A

An attribute of an experiment in which variables have been operationally defined in a normal typical or realistic way (representative of the real world)

52
Q

Case method

A

Procedure of gathering scientific information by studying a single individual

53
Q

Random sampling

A

A technique for selecting participants that ensures that every member of a population has equal chance of being included in the sample

54
Q

Replication

A

An experiment that uses the same procedures as a previous experiment but with a new sample from the same population

55
Q

Type 1 error

A

When researchers conclude that there is a relationship between two variables when in fact there is not (false positive)

56
Q

Type II error

A

When researchers conclude that there is not a relationship between two variables when there is (false negative)

57
Q

First rule of critical thinking

A

Doubt your own conclusions

58
Q

Second rule of critical thinking

A

Consider what you don’t see

59
Q

Core principles of research involving human participant

A

Research should: show respect for persons, show concern for welfare, and be just.

60
Q

Important rules that govern the conduct of psychological research

A

Informed consent, freedom from coercion, protection from harm, risk-benefit analysis, deception, debriefing, confidentiality

61
Q

Informed consent vs. Debriefing

A

Verbal agreement to participate in a study made by an adult who has been informed of all risks that participation may entail vs. Verbal description of the true nature and purpose of a study (if participant is deceived)

62
Q

3 Rs tenet on the ethical use of animals in science

A

Replacement- justified use of animals and proof that there is no alternative; Reduction- smallest number of animals possible; Refinement- minimise discomfort, infection, illness, and pain

PSYC 101 (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions