ethic/research key words

Question 1

informed consent

explanation/how it keeps participants safe

Answer 1

When the participants consent to be in the study based on the information that the researcher has provided them. The researchers should give enough information so the participants can make an informed decision. For a study to be ethical the participant should have the right to leave the study unharmed at any point. Informed consent lets the participant become aware of the possible negative risks.

Question 2

anonymity

explanation/how it keeps participants safe

Answer 2

Anonymity is keeping the participant’s name private and not revealing any personal information that could lead to the participant being identified. For a study to be ethical, the participant should be able to continue living their life without anyone knowing that they ever participated in this study should they ever be judged or face negative consequences in society due to having their information released. Maintaining anonymity is a way to allow the participant in the study without being ever identified which would allow them to continue living their normal quality of life. In some cases, the participant is not even addressed with a name but instead some sort of code to ensure anonymity.

Question 3

True experiment

Answer 3

(brain and behaviour)
True experiments in biological psychology manipulate an independent variable that is hypothesized to affect behavior. All extraneous variables are controlled so the IV can be isolated as the single factor affecting the DV. If we know what factors affect behaviour and how, we can explain ones biology (such as brain or genes) For example, by knowing the brain can influence aggression, we can explain why some people may have a tendency to be more aggressive.
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(hormones and behaviour)
True experiments in biological psychology manipulate an independent variable that is hypothesized to affect behavior. All extraneous variables are controlled so the IV can be isolated as the single factor affecting the DV
If we know what factors affect biologically and how, we can explain how biological factors (hormones) affect behavior (because in order to explain behavior we have to give a reason for differences in behavior and the reason can be the factor that affects it, i.e. the IV in an experiment).
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(individual and the group)
True experiments in social psychology manipulate an independent variable that is hypothesized to affect behavior. All extraneous variables are controlled so the IV can be isolated as the single factor affecting the DV, such as behavior of the group.
If we know what factors affect behavior and how, we can explain behavior through social factors (because in order to explain behavior we have to give a reason for differences in behavior, and the reason can be the factor that affects it, i.e. the IV in an experiment). For example, by knowing that children learn through observational learning, can help explain why some children may have a tendency to show more aggressive behavior if the role models surrounding them are also more aggressive.

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(reliability of cognitive processes)
True experiments in cognitive psychology manipulate an independent variable that is hypothesized to affect cognition. All extraneous variables are controlled so the IV can be isolated as the single factor affecting the DV (i.e. a cognitive process).
If we know what factors affect cognition and how, we can explain cognitive processes (because in order to explain cognition we have to give a reason for differences in cognition, and the reason can be the factor that affects it, i.e. the IV in an experiment). For example, by knowing that prior knowledge can influence comprehension and memory, we can explain why some people have better reading skills than others

Question 4

Case Study definition

Answer 4

An in-depth investigation of a small group or individual

In-depth =
May be conducted over a long period of time, and/or
Uses a range of different methods to gather lots of data
e.g. tests, interviews, experiments, observations, questionnaires, etc.

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Can’t do it on animals because animals are can’t explain their feelings to us
Use a wide range of different methods to gather units of data → increases credibility

Question 5

Correlational study

Answer 5

Experiments study cause and effect, whereas correlations study strength of relationships (but the direction of the relationship is unclear).
They can be useful in preliminary research as they can determine whether two variables are related. If there is a strong correlation, it might be worth further investigation with use of an experimental method which can help determine causation.
Study