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
Define External validity
The ability of researchers to generalize results to individuals beyond the study
Define Construct validity
the researchers operationalized variables accurately
Define Internal validity
No other variables explain the relationship, no confounds are present
What is parsimony and what is an example of the principle?
the simple solution (the one with the least assumptions) is often the best.
- Example: Pavlov’s dog salivated when he heard the bell because he knew it meant food another explanation could be complex unseen processes within the dog.
Where do we get our knowledge and beliefs from?
Authority figures, experience, intuition, and empiricism
What makes a theory good quality?
- Supported by data
- Falsifiable (ability to actually test something, not caught in a logic loop)
- Parsimonious (the solution with the least assumptions
How is inductive reasoning used in the scientific method?
To formulate a theory, making a generalization about a population with some facts
How is deductive reasoning used in the scientific theory?
To test a hypothesis, using a proven generalization to ask a question
What is basic research?
Basic research is an attempt at further understanding of a subject while applied research is asking a question (finding ho well new treatments for depression is working)
What is applied research?
Developing ideas found in translational research and building upon topics into more complex research endeavors, such as evaluating the quality a new treatment has
What is translational research?
Taking the information from basic research and beginning the process of finding building ideas
What are imitations to the credibility of making conclusions based on experience?
The credibility can only be applicable in the areas the individual is experienced in, there is no comparison group resulting in confounds, and personal experience can result in bias..
How do you control the presence of confounds?
Accounting for them within an experiment
Why do we need comparison groups?
In order to prevent confounds, the researcher is able to ensure that the changed between groups is due to the independent variable and nothing else
Why should we not rely on our intuition alone?
Our brains love a shortcut “Good story bias,” we are biased (present/present bias: it rains every ti
What is the availability heuristic/pop-up principle?
Easily remembered events will be remembered before less remembered events
- Example: A doctor will diagnose the same illness in trends