Chapter 2 The Measure of Mind: Methods of Psychology

Question 1

Case Study

Answer 1

An in-depth analysis of the behavior of one person or a small number of people.

Question 2

Confirmation Bias

Answer 2

The tendency to notice and remember instances that support your beliefs more than instances that contradict them.

Question 3

Confounding Variables

Answer 3

Variables that are irrelevant to the hypothesis being tested but can alter a researcher’s conclusions.

Question 4

Control Group

Answer 4

A group that experiences all experimental procedures, with the exception of exposure to the independent variable.

Question 5

Correlations

Answer 5

A measure of the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.

Question 6

Critical Thinking

Answer 6

The ability to think clearly, rationally, and independently.

Question 7

Cross-Sectional Study

Answer 7

An experimental design for assessing age-related changes in which data are obtained simultaneously from people of differing ages.

Question 8

Dependent Variable

Answer 8

A measure that demonstrates the effects of an independent variable; the “result” part of a hypothesis

Question 9

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 9

Statistical methods that organize data into meaningful patterns and summaries, such as finding the average value.

Question 10

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 10

A research design that controls for placebo effects in which neither the participant nor the experimenter observing the participant knows whether the participant was given an active substance or treatment or a placebo.

Question 11

Experiment

Answer 11

A research method that tests hypotheses and allows researchers to make conclusions about causality.

Question 12

Experimental Groups

Answer 12

A group of participants who are exposed to the independent variable.

Question 13

Generalizations

Answer 13

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus (CS)

Question 14

Hypothesis

Answer 14

A proposed explanation for a situation, usually taking the form “If A happens, then B will be the result.”

Question 15

Independent Variable

Answer 15

An experimental variable controlled and manipulated by the experimenter; the “if A happens” part of a hypothesis

Question 16

Inferential Statistics

Answer 16

Statistical methods that allow experimenters to extend conclusions from samples to larger populations

Question 17

Informed Consent

Answer 17

Permission obtained from a research participant after the risks and benefits of an experimental procedure have been thoroughly explained

Question 18

Longitudinal Study

Answer 18

An experimental design for assessing age-related changes in which data are obtained from the same individuals at intervals over a long period of time.

Question 19

Mean

Answer 19

The numerical average of a set of scores.

Question 20

Measure

Answer 20

A method for describing a variable’s quantity.

Question 21

Median

Answer 21

The halfway mark in a set of data, with half of the scores above it and half below.

Question 22

Meta-Analysis

Answer 22

A statistical analysis of many previous experiments on a single topic.

Question 23

Mixed Longitudinal Design

Answer 23

A method for assessing age-related changes that combines the cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches by observing a cross-section of participants over a shorter period than is used typically in longitudinal studies.

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

The most frequently occurring score in a set of data

Question 25

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 25

An in-depth study of a phenomenon in its natural setting.

Question 26

Normal Distribution

Answer 26

A symmetrical probability function

Question 27

Null Hypothesis

Answer 27

A hypothesis stating the default position that there is no real difference between two measures

Question 28

Objectivity

Answer 28

The practice of basing conclusions on facts, without the influence of personal emotion and bias.

Question 29

Operationalization

Answer 29

Defining variables in ways that allow them to be measured.

Question 30

Peer Review

Answer 30

The process of having other experts examine research prior to its publication

Question 31

Placebo

Answer 31

An inactive substance or treatment that cannot be distinguished from a real, active substance or treatment.

Question 32

Population

Answer 32

The entire group from which a sample is taken.

Question 33

Publication Bias

Answer 33

The possibility that published studies are not representative of all work done on a particular phenomenon.

Question 34

Random Assignment

Answer 34

The procedure in which each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group in an experiment

Question 35

Reliability

Answer 35

The consistency of a measure, including test–retest, interrater, intermethod, and internal consistency.

Question 36

Replication

Answer 36

Repeating an experiment and producing the same results.

Question 37

Sample

Answer 37

A subset of a population being studied.

Question 38

Science

Answer 38

A method for learning about reality through systematic observation and experimentation

Question 39

Standard Deviation

Answer 39

A measure of how tightly clustered around the mean a group of scores is

Question 40

Statistical Significance

Answer 40

A standard for deciding whether an observed result is because of chance.

Question 41

Surveys

Answer 41

A descriptive method in which participants are asked the same questions

Question 42

Theories

Answer 42

A set of facts and relationships between facts that can explain and predict related phenomena.

Question 43

Third Variable

Answer 43

A variable that is responsible for a correlation observed between two other variables of interest.

Question 44

Validity

Answer 44

A quality of a measure that leads to correct conclusions (i.e., the measure evaluates the concept that it was designed to do).

Question 45

Variables

Answer 45

A factor that has a range of values.