Chapter 2: Methods of Psychology

Question 1

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 1

Methods of summarizing numerical data: mean, mode, median and variability

Question 2

Inferential Statistics

Answer 2

Helps us assess the likelihood that relationships did not appear due to chance. Examples are: statistical significance and “p” which should be below 0.05 which indicates that there is a 5% probability that the results are due to chance. “p” includes: size of observed effect, number of subjects and variability

Question 3

WEIRD

Answer 3

Most research is done with people from Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic societies which makes it difficult to generalize to all of humanity

Question 4

Reliability

Answer 4

I get the same results every time a measure something. Also called replicability

Question 5

Validity

Answer 5

A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure. Assessing intelligence by measuring the thumb length is invalid. Validity can be measured by seeing if a measure yields similar results as another test for intelligence