Chapter 3 Learning From Watching

Question 1

Social learning

Answer 1

A theory of learning based on observing and imitating the behaviours of others

Question 2

Condition

Answer 2

A variation in the experimental procedure. By comparing different conditions researchers can make inferences about the effects of one variable on another

Question 3

Independent variable

Answer 3

A variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to see what effect this has on another variable

Question 4

Experimental condition

Answer 4

A condition is an experiment where participants are exposed to a specific variation in the independent variable

Question 5

Control condition

Answer 5

The ‘baseline’ condition, against which experimental conditions can be compared

Question 6

Confounding variable

Answer 6

A variable that is not controlled by the researcher but that can affect the results

Question 7

Code/coding

Answer 7

A way of describing observed behaviour using a set of predetermined categories

Question 8

Dependent variable

Answer 8

A variable that is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable

Question 9

Generalise

Answer 9

To extend the findings of a single study to explain behaviour in other situations or settings

Question 10

Correlation

Answer 10

An association between two events, meaning that they tend to occur together more often than one might expect by chance

Question 11

Longitudinal studies

Answer 11

Studies that monitor and chart the development of psychological variables over long periods of time

Question 12

Direction of effect

Answer 12

Describes which of two variables is the initial cause and which is the resulting effect

Question 13

Mechanisms

Answer 13

The process or set of processes that underpin a particular psychological phenomenon, such as social learning

Question 14

Priming

Answer 14

Where exposure to a particular behaviour renders more likely the display of that behaviour in subsequent similar situations

Question 15

Cognitive

Answer 15

To do with mental processes, such as perception, memory and thinking

Question 16

Desensitise

Answer 16

A process whereby repeated exposure to a stimulus weakens an initially strong response

Question 17

Script

Answer 17

An organised sequence of behaviours that is associated with a particular setting. A ‘restaurant script’, for example, would include a sequence of behaviours appropriate to eating in a restaurant

Question 18

Meta-analysis

Answer 18

A technique for combining data from different studies on the same topic, and analysing in together, to derive an overall conclusion