Chapter 2– Research Methods Flashcards
Critical thinking
- involves asking tough questions about whether evidence has been interpreted in an unbiased way, and about whether the evidence tells not just the truth, but the whole truth
- its hard for some people because we see what we want and expect
- we consider what we see and ignore what we don’t
Dependent variable
A variable that is measured in a study
Independent variable
Variable that is manipulated in an experiement
Spurious correlations
- just happens
- does NOT mean anything
- accidental correlation
Cofounding variable
- unanticipated outside factor that affects both variables of interest
- gives false impressions
Cause and effect relationship
- Changes in one variable cause the changes in the other variable
- Determined only through an experimental research design
Confirmation bias
- tendency to ignore evidence that disproves ideas or beliefs
Illusory correlations
Seeing relationships between two things when in reality no such thing exists
Correlation
Positive—> both variables increase or decrease together
Negative—> as one variable increases the other decreases
Longitudinal
Studies in which the same group of individuals are surveyed or measured repeatedly over an extended period of time
Cross sectional research
- compares multiple segments of a population at a single time
- ex., different age groups
The Hawthorne effect
People’s tendency to behave differently when they become aware that they are being observed
Naturalistic observation
Observation of behaviour in its natural setting
PRO—> most effective and accurate
CONS—> difficult to set up a hypotheses on observation, our behaviour changes when we know we’re being watched (Hawthorne effect)
Clinical or case studies
- focus on individual
- studied individual is typically in a extreme or unique psychological circumstance that differentiates them from the general public
- allows for a lot of insight into a case
- difficult to generalize results to the larger population
Are Freud’s theories scientifically sound?
No because they can’t be predicted and not falsifiable
But just because it is not scientifically sound does not mean it is useless.
Scientific method
- Set of principles about the appropriate relationship between ideas and evidence
1. Scientists form theories/ hypotheses through deductive reasoning
2. Hypotheses are then tested through empirical observation to form conclusions through inductive reasoning
3. These conclusions lead to new theories and hypotheses
Inductive reasoning
Process of scientific reasoning
- conclusions are drawn from observation
- trying to prove something
Psychological research depends on it
Deductive reasoning
Process of scientific reasoning
- results are predicted based on general premise
- looking for results
Psychological research depends on it
Dogmatism
- holding onto beliefs
Ex., The earth is flat - not easy to sway perspective
- ego (can’t admit to being wrong)
-being part of a group (enticing)
Why research?
- Crucial in psychology
- mandatory process in validating claims; without it we would only have intuition and assumption
- Psychology is a science— study and testing, further investigate, find evidence, get funding
Empirical method
- set of rules and techniques for observation
- methods of observation and methods of explanation must be used
- using observation in a controlled, replicable situation, in order to test or refine a theory
The Tuskegee syphilis study
Deception! —> when ethical guidelines did not exist
- experiment studying syphilis in black men
- participants that tested positive were not informed
- ended up unknowingly spreading the disease and many died