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PSYC1200 > CHAPTER 2 - METHODS OF PSYCHOLOGY > Flashcards

CHAPTER 2 - METHODS OF PSYCHOLOGY Flashcards

1
Q

Empiricism

A

Belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation

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2
Q

Scientific method

A

Procedure for using empirical evidence to establish facts

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3
Q

Theory

A

Explanation of a natural phenomena (theories are NOT proven)

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4
Q

Hypothesis

A

Predictions made by a theory that can be tested (eg. One’s memory will be better while studying with music compared to studying with no music

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5
Q

Empirical method

A

Set of rules and techniques for observation

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6
Q

Reasons of empirical challenges (3)

A
  • Complexity: The human brain is very complicated
  • Variability: No two individuals ever do, say, think or feel exactly the same thing under the sae circumstances
  • Reactivity: When people know they are being studied, they do not always behave the same way
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7
Q

How do we use science (3)

A
  • Describe: Descriptive research (case studies, survey, natural observations)
  • Predict: Correlational research
  • Explain: Experimental research
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8
Q

Observation

A

Using one’s senses to learn about the properties of an event or an object

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9
Q

Measure

A

Device that can detect the condition to which an operational definition refers

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10
Q

Operational definition

A

Description of a property in concrete, measurable term

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11
Q

3 requirements of a good operational definition:

A
  • Construct validity: Extent to which the thing being measured adequately characterizes the property
  • Reliability: Tendency for a measure to produce the same measurement whenever it is used to measure the same thing
  • Power: Ability of a measure to detect difference or changes in the magnitude of a property
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12
Q

Demand characteristics

A

When participants from an interpretation of the experiment’s purpose subconsciously change their behavior to fit an interpretation

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13
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

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

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14
Q

3 reasons why naturalistic observation is not always practical:

A
  • Some events are not naturally occurring
  • Some events can only be observed through direct interaction
  • Observer bias
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15
Q

Observer bias

A

Expectations that can influence observations and influence perceptions of reality

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16
Q

Double blind

A

Observations where the purpose of experiment is hidden from both observer and the person being observed. It is good because then participants/people cannot behave the way they think they should because they do not know how they should behave

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17
Q

Population

A

Complete collection of people (rarely measured)

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18
Q

Sample

A

Partial collection of people drawn from a population

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19
Q

2 techniques for analyzing data:

A
  • Graphic representation
  • Descriptive statistics
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20
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

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21
Q

Normal distributions

A

Measurements are concentrated around the middle

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22
Q

Skewed distributions

A

Non-normal (negative/positive skew)

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23
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Brief summary statements about a frequency distribution

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24
Q

Central tendency

A

Center or midpoint Mode

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25
Q

Mode

A

Value of the most frequently observed measurement

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26
Q

Mean:

A

Average value of all measurements

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27
Q

Median

A

Middle value

28
Q

Variability

A

The extent that measurements differ

29
Q

Range

A

Value of the largest measurement in a frequency distribution minus the value of the smallest measurement

30
Q

Standard deviation

A

Statistic that describes the average difference between scores and the mean of that distribution

31
Q

Variables

A

Property whose values can vary across individuals or over time

32
Q

Correlation

A

Mutual relationship or connection between two or more things

33
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

Measure of the direction and strength of correlation ( r )

34
Q

R = +1

A

Perfect positive correlation (x goes up, y goes up)

35
Q

R = -1

A

Perfect negative correlation (x goes up, y goes down)

36
Q

R = 0

A

No correlation

37
Q

Third-variable problems

A

When observed correlation between two variables can actually be explained by a third variable that hasn’t been accounted for

38
Q

Ultimate goal of scientific research

A

Discovery of casual relationships between properties and to study patterns of variations in a series of measurements

39
Q

Experimentation

A

Technique for establishing the casual relationship between variables

40
Q

Independent variable

A

Variable that is manipulated in an experiment

41
Q

Dependant variable

A

Variable that is measured in a study

42
Q

Random assignment

A

Procedure that uses a random event to assign people to the experimental or control group

43
Q

Experimental group

A

Group of people who are treated in a particular way in an experiment

44
Q

Control group

A

Group of people who are not treated in a particular way that the experimental group is treated in an experiment

45
Q

Self selection

A

Problem that occurs when anything about a person determines whether he/she will be included in the experimental or control group

46
Q

Statistical significance

A

We can feel confident in findings when the probability the result is due to chance is less than 5% (p<0.05)

47
Q

Internal validity

A

Attribute of an experiment that allows it to establish casual relationships. Good internal validity = everything inside the experiment is working as it must to draw conclusions

48
Q

External validity

A

Property of an experiment in which the variables have been operationally defined in a normal, typical, or realistic way. Good external validity = results can be generalized to a broader group of people (population)

49
Q

Random sampling

A

Choosing participants ensuring every member of population has an equal chance of being selected (difficult to do and most studies uses nonrandom sampling)

50
Q

Type I error

A

When researchers conclude that there is a casual relationship between two variables when there is not

51
Q

Type II error

A

When researchers conclude that there is not a casual relationship between two variables when there is

52
Q

Reasons why nonrandom sampling is not a flaw (2):

A
  • Sometimes the representativeness of a sample doesn’t matter
  • Sometimes the representativeness of a sample is a reasonable starting assumption
53
Q

Case method

A

Method of gathering scientific knowledge by studying a single individual (n=1)

54
Q

Why are replication studies important

A

When the same results occur multiple times, we are more confident of the findings)

55
Q

Critical thinking

A

The objective analysis of situations or issues

56
Q

Why do people have so much trouble thinking critically (4)

A
  • We see what we expect and want
  • We hold different kinds of evidence to different standards
  • Beliefs and desires shape which evidence to consider
  • We don’t consider what we don’t see
57
Q

Sir francis bacon

A

Published a book called Novum Organum where he described a new method for discovering facts about natural world (Baconian method = scientific method)

58
Q

Steps in critical thinking (5)

A
  • Identifying question or problem
  • Gathering information
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Considering alternative explanations
  • Choosing a solution for evidence
59
Q

What % of participants in psychology have come from a single country (US)

A

70%

60
Q

TCPS - Tri Council Policy Statement core principles of human participants (3)

A
  • Research should show respect for persons and their right to make decisions for and about themselves without influence
  • Research should show concern for welfare, which means to attempt to maximize benefits and reduce risks of participant
  • Research should be just, which means that it should distribute benefits and risks equally to participants without prejudice towards particular individuals or groups
61
Q

TCPS core principles of human participants

A

Respect for persons, research should be beneficent, research should be just

62
Q

American Psychological Association’s code of ethics for research and publication (7)

A
  • Informed consent
  • Freedom from coercion
  • Protection from harm
  • Risk benefit analysis
  • Deception
  • Debriefing
  • Confidentiality
63
Q

Debriefing

A

A verbal description of the true nature and purpose of study

64
Q

Canadian Council on Animal Care - Respecting animals (3)

A
  • Replacement: Research must prove that there is no alternative to using animals in research
  • Reduction: Must use the fewest numbers of animals possible
  • Refinement: Discomfort and pain must be minimized
65
Q
A

PSYC1200 (5 decks)

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