Exam 1 Flashcards
Define Statistical validity
Significance and errors in results
What are the three types of claims ?
frequency, association, and causal
Define Regression line
Predicting based on associations
Define Empiricism
Basing conclusions on systematic observations and forming a generalization after many observations
What is deductive reasoning?
Drawing a logical conclusion based on an already proven general statement
Theory-data cycle
How a theory turns into data, a theory begins and turns into a hypothesis which in turn results in the production of data
Give an example of deductive reasoning.
All dogs have four legs, Bella is a dog. Therefore, Bella has four legs.
What is Inductive reasoning?
A logical inference of a fact that is based on observations that creates a generalized statement for the population
Peer-review Cycle
Submitted by the author, assessment by peers, revision of research papers by the author, cycle repeats until publication
Confounding variables
Factors that may influence study outcomes
Confirmatory hypothesis testing
Asking questions to confirm hypotheses
Overconfidence
Confidence is not always accuracy, blindly trusting authorities
Bias blind spot
An inability for us to recognize our own biases
Variable
Something that varies (male vs female) with at least two levels (number of sexual encounters)
Constant
Fixed level in a study (The age range of participants being restricted to 14-18 y/o)
What is a Manipulated/independent variable?
Assigned participants to different levels of a variable (Number of hours allowed to sleep), not constant
What is a Measured variable?
Recorded values or observations, not constant
What is an Abstract Variable?
Conceptually, it is how an abstract concept is defined (extraversion). Operationally, it is how the abstract concept is measured (self-report questionnaire)
How do you operationalize psychological concepts?
subjectively through self-report, observing behavior, or physiological indicators (brain activity)
How do we investigate a frequency claim?
observational research
How do we investigate an association claim?
correlational research
How do we investigate a causal claim?
experimental research
What is Covariance?
The causal and outcome variables do influence each other
What is Temporal precedence?
The causal variable came before the outcome variable