Defining and Measuring Variables

Question 1

In the behavioural sciences, what are theories?

Answer 1

Statements about the mechanisms underlying a particular behaviour

Question 2

What are constructs?

Answer 2

Hypothetical attributes or mechanisms that help explain and predict behaviour in a theory

Question 3

In many theories, what are constructs influenced by and what do they influence?

Answer 3

External stimulus -> construct -> external behaviour

Question 4

What is an operational definition?

Answer 4

A procedure for indirectly measuring and defining a variable that cannot be observed or measured directly

Question 5

What is the most familiar example of an operational definition?

Answer 5

The IQ test

Question 6

What is the goal of an operational definition?

Answer 6

To provide a definition and a method for measuring a hypothetical construct

Question 7

What is a positive relationship between two variables?

Answer 7

The measurements tend to move in the same direction

Question 8

What is a negative relationship between two variables?

Answer 8

The measurements tend to move in the opposite direction

Question 9

What determines a positive, negative, or no correlation?

Answer 9

The linear fit of the consistency of a relationship (1.0 is consistently positive, -1.0 is consistently negative, 0.0 is zero correlation)

Question 10

What is the first criterion for evaluating a measurement procedure? What does it mean?

Answer 10

Validity - the degree to which the measurement process measures the variable it claims to measure

Question 11

What is the second criterion for evaluating a measurement procedure? What does it mean?

Answer 11

Reliability - the degree of stability or consistency between measurements

Question 12

If the same individuals are measured under the same conditions, what would a reliable measurement procedure produce as an outcome?

Answer 12

Identical if not near identical measurements

Question 13

When we measure a variable, the measurement procedure introduces an element of error. How is it expressed as an equation?

Answer 13

Measured score = true score + error

Question 14

What is the relationship between error and reliability?

Answer 14

If error is low, reliability will be higher. If error is high, reliability will be lower.

Question 15

True or false: a measurement must be valid for it to be reliable

Answer 15

False

Question 16

True or false: a measure can be reliable without being valid.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What is accuracy?

Answer 17

The degree to which a measure conforms to the established standard

Question 18

What is the scale of measurement?

Answer 18

The set of categories used for classification of individuals

Question 19

What is a self-report measure?

Answer 19

A measurement obtained by asking a participant to describe their own behaviour, attitude, and opinions

Question 20

What is the primary advantage of a self-report measure?

Answer 20

It is the most direct way to assess a construct

Question 21

What do physiological measures involve?

Answer 21

Brain-imaging techniques like PET and MRI

Question 22

What is a major advantage of physiological measures?

Answer 22

They are extremely objective

Question 23

What do behavioural measures do?

Answer 23

They directly observe an individual’s behaviour

Question 24

Whoopsie daisy

Answer 24

Free points