Chapter 2 Vocab

Question 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome that one would have foreseen it.

Answer 1

Hindsight bias

Question 2

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluate evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Answer 2

Critical thinking

Question 3

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Answer 3

Theory

Question 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Answer 4

Hypothesis

Question 5

A statement of the procedures used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Answer 5

Operational definition

Question 6

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Answer 6

Replication

Question 7

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Answer 7

Case study

Question 8

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Answer 8

Survey

Question 9

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Answer 9

Population

Question 10

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Answer 10

Random sample

Question 11

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Answer 11

Naturalistic observation

Question 12

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Answer 12

Correlation

Question 13

A statistical index of the relationship between two things.

Answer 13

Correlation coefficient

Question 14

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggest that the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggest the strength of the correlation.

Answer 14

Scatterplot

Question 15

The perception of a relationship where none exist.

Answer 15

Illusory correlation

Question 16

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.

Answer 16

Experiment

Question 17

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups.

Answer 17

Random assignment

Question 18

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or placebo. Commonly used in drug evaluation studies.

Answer 18

Double-blind procedure

Question 19

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, with the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Answer 19

Placebo effect

Question 20

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Answer 20

Experimental group

Question 21

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Answer 21

Control group

Question 22

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Answer 22

Independent variable

Question 23

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Answer 23

Confounding variable

Question 24

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Answer 24

Dependent variable

Question 25

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution.

Answer 25

Mode

Question 26

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Answer 26

Mean

Question 27

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half or below it.

Answer 27

Median

Question 28

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Answer 28

Range

Question 29

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Answer 29

Standard deviation

Question 30

A symmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes.

Answer 30

Normal curve

Question 31

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Answer 31

Statistical significance

Question 32

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Answer 32

Culture

Question 33

And ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Answer 33

Informed consent

Question 34

The postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Answer 34

Debriefing