Experimental Psychology Lecture

Question 1

studies behavior and mental processes through controlled
scientific methods.

Answer 1

Experimental Psychology

Question 2

It emphasizes empirical research to establish causal relationships between variables.

Answer 2

Experimental Psychology

Question 3

Goals of Experimental Psychology

Answer 3

Describe
Explain
Predict
Control

Question 4

Observe and characterize behavior.

Answer 4

Describe

Question 5

Identify underlying causes

Answer 5

Explain

Question 6

Determine future behaviors under specific conditions

Answer 6

Predict

Question 7

Manipulate conditions to influence behavior

Answer 7

Control

Question 8

Characteristics of the Scientific Method

Answer 8

Empirical Approach
Systematic and Controlled Observation
Objective Measurement
Replicability
Falsifiability

Question 9

Knowledge is derived from observation and experimentation

Answer 9

Empirical Approach

Question 10

Ensures accuracy and reliability

Answer 10

Systematic and Controlled Observation

Question 11

Data is collected in an unbiased, replicable manner.

Answer 11

Objective Measurement

Question 12

Findings must be repeatable under similar conditions

Answer 12

Replicability

Question 13

Hypotheses must be testable and refutable

Answer 13

Falsifiability

Question 14

Steps in the Scientific Method

Answer 14

Identify a research problem
Formulate a hypothesis
Design an experiment
Collect data
Analyze results
Draw conclusions
Communicate findings through reports or publications

Question 15

Importance of Ethics in Research

Answer 15

Protects participants from harm
Ensures credibility and Integrity in Psychological research
Builds trust between researchers and participants

Question 16

2 Ethical Guidelines in Research

Answer 16

Governed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Question 17

Participants must voluntarily agree to participate with full understanding of the study

Answer 17

Informed Consent

Question 18

Protects participants identities and personal information

Answer 18

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Question 19

Participants are informed of the study’s purpose after their participation

Answer 19

Debriefing

Question 20

Allowed only if necessary, justified, and does not cause harm.

Answer 20

Deception

Question 21

Participants may exit the study at any time without penalty

Answer 21

Right to Withdraw

Question 22

Researchers must take precautions to prevent physical or psychological harm

Answer 22

Minimizing Harm

Question 23

Ethical Considerations in Animal Research

Answer 23

Ensuring humane treatment and minimizing distress
Using alternatives whenever possible
Justifying the necessity of animal studies

Question 24

A _____ is testable prediction about the relationship between variables

Answer 24

Hypothesis

Question 25

Types of Hypothesis

Answer 25

Null Hypothesis Alternative Hypothesis

Question 26

Suggests no relationship or effect

Answer 26

Null Hypothesis

Question 27

Suggests a relationship or effect exists

Answer 27

Alternative Hypothesis

Question 28

Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis can be empirically examined and refuted

Answer 28

Testable and Falsifiable

Question 29

Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis avoids vague or overly broad statements

Answer 29

Clear and Specific

Question 30

Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis builds on existing knowledge

Answer 30

Based on Prior Research

Question 31

Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis Expresses a clear and cause-and-effect relationship

Answer 31

Concise and Logical

Question 32

Key Experimental Concepts The variable manipulated by the researcher.

Answer 32

Independent Variable

Question 33

Key Experimental Concepts The measured outcome or response

Answer 33

Dependent Variable

Question 34

Key Experimental Concepts Specific explanations of how variable are measured or manipulated

Answer 34

Operational Definitions

Question 35

Key Experimental Concepts Factors held constant to prevent confounding effects

Answer 35

Control Variables

Question 36

Key Experimental Concepts Participants are assigned to conditions randomly to minimize bias

Answer 36

Random Assignment

Question 37

Types of Experimental Designs Have control over variables and include randomization

Answer 37

True Experiments

Question 38

Types of Experimental Designs Lack full control (e.g., no random assignment, common in naturalistic settings).

Answer 38

Quasi-Experiments

Question 39

Types of Experimental Designs Conducted in real-world environments but maintain some level of control.

Answer 39

Field Experiments

Question 40

Variables other than the IV that can influence the DV, potentially confounding results.

Answer 40

Extraneous Variables

Question 41

Types of Extraneous Variables Individual differences in traits like intelligence, mood, or motivation.

Answer 41

Participants Variables

Question 42

Types of Extraneous Variables Environmental factors such as noise, lighting, or time of day.

Answer 42

Situational Variables

Question 43

Types of Extraneous Variables Unintentional influence from the researcher's expectations.

Answer 43

Experimenter Bias

Question 44

Types of Extraneous Variables Cues that lead participants to guess the study’s purpose and alter behavior.

Answer 44

Demand Characteristics

Question 45

Ensures extraneous variables are evenly distributed across conditions.

Answer 45

Randomization

Question 46

Groups participants based on similar characteristics.

Answer 46

Matching

Question 47

Controls for order effects in repeated measures designs.

Answer 47

Counterbalancing

Question 48

Reduces bias by keeping participants or experimenters unaware of conditions.

Answer 48

Blinding

Question 49

Ensures consistency in procedures, instructions, and conditions.

Answer 49

Standardization

Question 50

Different participants are assigned to different experimental conditions.

Answer 50

Between Subjects Design

Question 51

The same participants experience all experimental conditions.

Answer 51

Within-Subjects Design

Question 52

Participants are paired based on similar characteristics and assigned to different conditions.

Answer 52

Matched-Subjects Design

Question 53

A mixed design combines elements of both between-subjects and within-subjects designs.

Answer 53

In-Between Subjects Design

Question 54

Some independent variables are manipulated between groups, while others are tested within the same participants.

Answer 54

In-Between Subjects Design

Question 55

Advantages: Avoids carryover effects, simplifies design. Disadvantages: Requires more participants, increases variability.

Answer 55

Between-Subjects Design

Question 56

Advantages: Controls for individual differences, requires fewer participants. Disadvantages: May suffer from order effects (e.g., practice or fatigue effects). Solution: Use counterbalancing to minimize order effects.

Answer 56

Within-Subjects Design

Question 57

Advantage: Controls for participant variability while avoiding order effects. Disadvantage: Requires careful matching, which can be time-consuming.

Answer 57

Matched-Subjects Design

Question 58

Advantages of ___________ - Controls for individual differences by incorporating within-subjects elements. - Reduces the number of participants needed compared to pure between-subjects designs. - Allows for more complex experimental questions to be tested.

Answer 58

In-Between Subjects Design

Question 59

# Example of ____ design is this? A study testing the effects of sleep deprivation on memory performance, where: o Sleep-deprived vs. well-rested groups (between-subjects factor). o Each participant takes memory tests before and after sleep manipulation (within- subjects factor).

Answer 59

Example of Mixed Design