Key Terms Flashcards
Capacity
The amount of information that can be stored in memory
Computer metaphor
The idea that memory is like a computer: input of information to storage to output/retrieval
Duration
The length of time a memory can be held
Encoding
The way information is processed either according to how it looks, sounds or by its meaning
Chunking
Putting individual pieces of information into a group in order to store it better
Confounding variable
A variable that is not the independent variable that affects the dependent variable.
A variable that makes it look as though you have found an effect in the experiment although you have not.
Operationalise
To make measurable; state clearly how you are going to measure a variable
True/Lab experiment
A type of research method; a highly controlled experiment in which the impact of extraneous /confounding variables are minimal and the internal validity maximised.
Quasi/Natural experiment
When the independent variable occurs naturally and is not manipulated for the purpose of the experiment (eg. gender)
Extraneous variable
Any variable other than the independent variable that might affect the dependent variable
Non-directional hypothesis
A hypothesis where you predict that there will be a difference between the conditions but are unsure of what that difference will be (eg. unsure which will be faster, only that one will definitely be faster than the other)
Participant variable
A feature or characteristic or trait of a participant that may affect the dependent variable
Situational variable
A feature or characteristic of the situation/experiment that may affect the dependent variable
Random error
Confounding variables which were not predicted and therefore were uncontrolled
Constant error
Confounding variables that were predicted and therefore controlled (occur in all conditions)
Internal validity
The extent to which we can be confident that any change in the dependent variable is the direct result of the manipulation of the independent variable
Random
Everything has an equal chance of being selected for any condition - can lead to random error
Ecological validity
A type of external validity; mundane realism. The extent to which the false environment is representative of the real world
Demand characteristics
When the participants guess the purpose of the study and alter their behaviour
Population validity
A type of external validity; the extent to which we can generalise the findings and conclusions of the study to people other than the participants
Standard deviation
Measures of dispersion; how varied the scores are within a data set
Practical applications (usefulness)
To take the findings of a study and apply them to a real life situation
Positive correlation
When one co-variable increases in size/value, so too does the second co-variable
Negative correlation
When one co-variable increases in size/value, the second co-variable decreases
Relationship
A correlation measures this between variables
Weak
The name given to a correlation between two co-variables where as one increases so does the other but not to the same degree
Strong
The name given to two co-variables where both increase/decrease by the same degree
Scatter graph
A graphical representation of a correlation
Zero
The name given to a correlation where there is no relationship at all between the co-variables
Idiographic approach
Believes that everyone is unique, therefore you have to investigate the individual to learn about the individual, and the findings cannot be generalised to others
Nomothetic approach
Believes that everyone is the same, and what is learnt about one person can be generalised and applied to others
Fixation
The idea that someone may become stuck or partially stuck in at least one stage of the psychodevelopment of sex
Falsifiability
A key desirable feature of science, the ability to test a theory to prove it is wrong
