Chapter 2 - Psychological Research

Question 1

theory

Answer 1

a system of ideas that attempts to explain observations and make predictions about future, provide a basis for research studies

Question 2

scientific method

Answer 2

observe, hypothesize, test, draw conclusions, evaluate theory

Question 3

descriptive research

Answer 3

descriptive research: describe a phenomenon, explores intriguing topics, does not answer questions about why things are the way they are
* observation
* interviews and surveys
* case studies - looking at one or a few individuals in depth

Question 4

correlational research

Answer 4

correlational research: identify relationships
* correlation coefficient: r
-1.00 r 1.00
* strength of relationship (1.00 = perfect relationship, negative = opposite directions)
* direction of relationships
* third variable problem
* 0 = no relationship, 0.25 = weak, 0.50 = moderate, 0.75 = strong, 1.00 = perfect/very strong

Question 5

longitudinal research

Answer 5

• a type of correlational research
• measuring variables in multiple waves over time
• can suggest potential causal relationships

Question 6

experimental research

Answer 6

determine causation

Question 7

independent variable

Answer 7

variable that is manipulated

Question 8

dependent variable

Answer 8

variable that is measured

Question 9

experimental group

Answer 9

exposed to manipulation of independent variable

Question 10

control group

Answer 10

treated equally, except no manipulation
random assignment to groups

Question 11

experimenter bias

Answer 11

experimenter influences the final results

Question 12

demand characteristics

Answer 12

sets the expectation of how the participant should behave, skewed results

Question 13

research participant bias

Answer 13

participant could or could not behave a certain way

Question 14

placebo effect

Answer 14

expectations produce an outcome, assumption that something will happen and the mind thinks it does

Question 15

double-blind experiment

Answer 15

participant and experimenter cannot influence the results

Question 16

positive correlation

Answer 16

both variables increase

Question 17

negative correlation

Answer 17

both variables decrease

Question 18

mean

Answer 18

average, adding scores together and dividing by how many

Question 19

median

Answer 19

midpoint, half above and half below

Question 20

mode

Answer 20

most frequent

Question 21

Institutional review board (IRB)

Answer 21

committee of individuals that review proposals for research that involves human participants