Intro to Social Psychology

Question 1

Define ‘Social Psychology’

Answer 1

Scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another

Question 2

4 key characteristics of Social Psychology

Answer 2

1. Focuses on the individual
2. Considers interaction between the person and the situation
3. Examines internal psychological states and observable behaviours
4. Uses scientific methods

Question 3

Hazel Markus said that “people are above all, malleable”. What does this mean?

Answer 3

Our behaviour is shaped by external forces and we adapt to our social context.

However, internal forces are also important.

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

An organized set of principles used to explain observed phenomena

Question 5

A theory is _____ than a fact.

Answer 5

less

Question 6

Distinguish between fact and theory

Answer 6

Facts are agreed upon statements that we observe

Theories are ideas that summarize and explain facts to imply testable predictions called hypotheses.

Question 7

Hypothesis

Answer 7

An “educated guess” about relationships that may exist between variables. This is how we test theories.

Question 8

Operationalization

Answer 8

Translating variables at the theoretical level into the specific variables that are going to be observed

Question 9

A good theory accomplishes the following:

Answer 9

It effectively summarizes observations to make clear predictions that allow us to…

1) Confirm or modify the theory
2) Generate new exploration
3) Suggest practical applications

Question 10

Correlational research

Answer 10

Study of the naturally occurring relationships among variables

Question 11

Field research

Answer 11

Conducted in natural real life settings

Question 12

4 non-experimental approaches

Answer 12

1. Archival study: examining existing records of past events
2. Case study: detailed examination of a single event or person
3. Survey study: participants complete questionnaires
4. Observational study: participants’ behaviours are observed in real life settings

Question 13

Correlation does not equal _______

Answer 13

causation

Question 14

Why do non-experimental approaches not necessarily imply a casual relationship?

Answer 14

Reverse causality and spurious relationships (third variable)

Question 15

Key features of experimental research

Answer 15

1. Consist of independent and dependent variables
2. Random assignment (aka the Great Equalizer)
3. Search for cause and effect

Question 16

3 ethics of experimentation

Answer 16

1. Mundane realism
2. Experimental realism
3. Demand characteristics

Question 17

Mundane realism

Answer 17

Degree to which an experiment is similar to everyday situations. Not all experiments need to have this though

Question 18

Experimental realism

Answer 18

Degree to which an experiment involves participants. Try to INCLUDE this!

Question 19

Demand characteristics

Answer 19

Cues in an experiment that tell the participant what behaviour is expected. Must try to AVOID this!

Question 20

Why can’t some variables be assessed experimentally?

Answer 20

It is not possible or it is not ethical to manipulate them

Question 21

Internal validity

Answer 21

The extent to which differences between groups in an experiment can be attributed to the independent variable and not other factors

Question 22

External validity

Answer 22

The degree to which one can generalize results in one circumstance to another

Question 23

5 research ethics

Answer 23

1. Informed consent
2. Protection from harm
3. Permission to withdraw
4. Confidentiality
5. Debriefing