Chapter One

Question 1

we think we know more than we actually do

Answer 1

overconfidence

Question 2

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden value, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Answer 2

critical thinking

Question 3

making observations, forming theories, and then refining their theriories in the light of new observations

Answer 3

scientific method

Question 4

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations

Answer 4

theory

Question 5

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 5

hypothesis

Question 6

a statement of the procedures used to define research variables

Answer 6

operational definition

Question 7

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic findings extend to other participants and circumstances

Answer 7

replication

Question 8

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

Answer 8

case study

Question 9

a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them

Answer 9

survey

Question 10

the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors

Answer 10

false consensus effect

Question 11

all the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study

Answer 11

population

Question 12

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

Answer 12

random sample

Question 13

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

Answer 13

naturalistic observation

Question 14

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

correlation coefficient: mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1 to +1

Answer 14

correlation

Question 15

a graphed cluster if dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. the slopes of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. the amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation.

Answer 15

scatterplot, scattergram, scatter diagram

Question 16

the perception of a relationship where none exists

Answer 16

illusionary correlation

Question 17

tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it (I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)

Answer 17

hindsight bias

Question 18

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

Answer 18

experiment

Question 19

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 19

double-blind procedure

Question 20

experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by administration of an inert substance or condition, which is assumed to be an active agent.

Answer 20

placebo effect (Latin- I shall please)

Question 21

the condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Answer 21

experimental condition

Question 22

the condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Answer 22

control condition

Question 23

assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

Answer 23

random assignment

Question 24

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

Answer 24

independent variable

Question 25

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

Answer 25

dependent variable

Question 26

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Answer 26

mode

Question 27

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

Answer 27

mean

Question 28

the middle score in a distribution; half of the scores are above it and half are below it

Answer 28

median

Question 29

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in distribution

Answer 29

range

Question 30

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Answer 30

standard deviation

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 large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Answer 32

culture