DEFINITIONS

Question 1

Methodology

Answer 1

The type of scientific methods used to investigate behaviour & cognitive processes, e.g., experiments, observations, surveys, correlations

Question 2

GENERALISABILITY

Answer 2

Can the research findings be generalised from the sample to the target population, was the sample representative enough to be generalised

Question 3

OPERATIONALISATION

Answer 3

Defining the variables to be measured precisely so that they can be tested/measured

Question 4

OBJECTIVITY

Answer 4

Research that is unbiased, value free, impartial, usually from quantitative data, not open to different interpretations

Question 5

SUBJECTIVITY

Answer 5

Research that is open to interpretation, can be interpreted in more than one way, usually associated with qualitative data.

Question 6

RELIABILITY

Answer 6

Is the research generating consistent findings/results?

Question 7

VALIDITY

Answer 7

Does the research accurately measure the behaviour/cognitive processes/ attitudes etc. it is investigating?

Question 8

CREDIBLE

Answer 8

Is the research trustworthy/believable; has the research been conducted & interpreted in a manner that meets the criteria of science, is it well-planned, controlled, accurate, generalisable etc.?

Question 9

CONTROL

Answer 9

E.g factors that might influence results, biases, subjectivity, culture, previous experiences.

Question 10

EMPIRICISM

Answer 10

The idea that scientific research should be based on what is directly observable & therefore testable, all knowledge should be based on measurable experience, you cannot measure what you cannot see/observe/experience.

Question 11

REDUCTIONISM

Answer 11

To focus on one small area in isolation rather than looking at the whole area. Reducing something to its constituent parts in order to establish causal relationships.

Question 12

Holism

Answer 12

Essentially the opposite to reductionism – researchers look at behaviour as a whole, not just the some of the parts, i.e., all the possible influences/causes of behaviour.)

Question 13

NOMOTHETIC

Answer 13

Establishing general principles that can be applied or generalised to more broadly, i.e., to the target population as a whole.

Question 14

IDIOGRAPHIC

Answer 14

Studying individuals in terms of their uniqueness, i.e., the uniqueness of their personal experiences, thus not able to generalise.

Question 15

ANDROCENTRIC

Answer 15

Research representing a male perspective.

Question 16

ALPHA-BIAS

Answer 16

Research that exaggerates the differences between men & women, e.g., evolutionary psychology often highlights differences. Alpha-bias may perpetuate gender stereotypes that are an oversimplification, ignoring more complex factors between men & women in terms of power, strength & dominance.

Question 17

BETA-BIAS

Answer 17

Research that minimises the differences between males & females when such differences do exist, e.g., a lot of psychology research was initially carried out using males but the results are generalised to both males & females.

Question 18

EMIC

Answer 18

Knowledge and interpretations from those existing within a culture. An emic account comes from a person within the culture, an emic account, is, ‘determined by local custom, meaning, and belief’ and are best described by a ‘native’ of the culture.

Question 19

ETIC

Answer 19

Knowledge, description of behaviour and beliefs of a culture by a researcher (an outsider to the culture)

Question 20

Imposed ETIC

Answer 20

An imposed ETIC is where an idea or construct from one culture is imposed/applied inappropriately to another, i.e., something which is an emic in one culture is assumed to be universal.

Question 21

ETHNOCENTRIC BIAS

Answer 21

The tendency to view your own ethnic group & its social standards as the bias for evaluating judgments concerning other cultures - assuming that your own culture is superior. Can be hard to avoid due to being unconsciously influenced by our own experiences & upbringing

Question 22

HYPOTHESIS TESTING

Answer 22

A prediction / what you expect to happen

Question 23

FALSIFICATION

Answer 23

The only way to prove your theory is to look for disproof rather than proof. If something’s cannot be tested and proved it is not scientifically credible (claim/prediction)

Question 24

Agentic state

Answer 24

Surrendering our free will & conscience to serve the interests of a wider group. We see ourselves as agents to those with power and authority and shift responsibility to them.

Question 25

Autonomous state

Answer 25

(opposite of agentic state) - we feel free to act as we wish including how our conscience dictates

Question 26

Moral strain

Answer 26

A result of having to do something we believe is immoral in order to function as an agent to those with power & authority.

Question 27

Denial

Answer 27

A defence mechanism - often used to avoid the distress associated with moral strain and having to do things we normally find abhorrent

Question 28

Hierarchy

Answer 28

A system of social organisation that is ranked from the top to the bottom

Question 29

Socialisation

Answer 29

The process in which we learn the rules & norms of society through agents of socialisation, such as parents & teachers

Question 30

Social influence

Answer 30

When an individuals behaviour, attitudes & emotions are affected by those of another

Question 31

Self - fulfilling prophecy

Answer 31

When others make us believe something about ourselves which eventually influences our behaviour

Question 32

Social Psychology

Answer 32

How other people, groups, cultures & society can influence our behaviour.

Question 33

Social Contagion

Answer 33

The spread of behaviour, attitudes and affect through crowds & other types of social aggregates from one member to another (when someone goes along with what others are doing)

Question 34

Obedience

Answer 34

A form of social influence where the behaviour of an individual is influenced by real or imagined pressure from another.

Question 35

laboratory experiment vs field experiment

Answer 35

lab - takes place in an artificial highly controlled environment

field - takes place in pps natural environment