Chapter 2 Psychological Research & Methods

Question 1

Sample

Answer 1

The small group out of the the total number available (population), that a researcher studies.

Question 2

Naturalistic observation

Answer 2

When the psychologist observes the subject in the natural setting without interfering. Unable to control events, uncontrolled setting.

Question 3

Case study

Answer 3

Involves an intensive investigation of one or more participants. In depth observation of 1 person or a small group of individuals. Hard to apply information learned to general population.

Question 4

Survey

Answer 4

When information is obtained by asking many individuals a fixed set of questions.

Question 5

Correlation

Answer 5

The measure of a relationship between two variables or sets of data.

Question 6

Experiments

Answer 6

When the investigator is able to control the situation and to decrease the possibility that unnoticed, outside variables will influence the results. “Cause and effect”

Question 7

Longitudinal study

Answer 7

Research method in which data is collected about a group of participants over a number of years to assess how certain characteristics change or remain the same during development.

Question 8

Cross-sectional study

Answer 8

Research method in which data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age.

Question 9

Hypothesis

Answer 9

An educated guess about the relationship between two variables.

Question 10

Variable

Answer 10

Any factor that is capable of change.

Question 11

Experimental group

Answer 11

The group to which an independent variable is applied.

Question 12

Control group

Answer 12

The group that is treated in the same way as the experimental group except that the experimental treatment (the independent variable) is not applied.

Question 13

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer 13

A situation in which a researcher’s expectations influence that person’s own behavior, and thereby influence the participant’s behavior.

Question 14

Single-blind experiment

Answer 14

An experiment in which the participants are unaware of whine participants received the treatment.

Question 15

Double-blind experiment

Answer 15

An experiment in which neither the experimenter nor the participants know which participants received which treatment.

Question 16

Placebo effect

Answer 16

A change in a participant’s illness or behavior that results from a belief that the treatment will have an effect, rather than the actual treatment.

Question 17

Stanley Milgram

Answer 17

“The Milgram experiment” participants were told to push a button to send a (fake) shock to someone reciting a memorized list of words ever time they made a mistake. Found that ordinary individuals could easily inflict pain on others if such orders were given by a respected authority. Questions about Milgram’s experiment being ethical.