Key Words Flashcards
Dependent variable
Is measured - to see if the manipulation of the independent variable has had an effect.
Extraneous variable
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that affects the dependent variable.
Participant variable
An extraneous variable which are aspects of the participants.
Situational variables
An extraneous variable which is an aspects of the situation.
Confounding variables
An extraneous variable which hasn’t been controlled therefore it impacts the independent variable.
Matched pairs design
Researcher deliberately matches the characteristics of the participants in each conditions
Operationalised independent variable
Clearly state what the conditions are
Operationalised dependent variable
Clearly and precisely state how it will be measured
Non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis
Predicts there will be a difference in the behaviour of the 2 conditions, but are unsure which will be more and which will be least
Directional hypothesis
A prediction that there will be a difference between the 2 conditions, but we think we know what the results would be
Reliability
The extent to which a measure produces the same results when measuring the same variables
Replicable
The extent to which a study can be copied exactly to see whether the findings are similar
Raw data
About each separate participant. This should not be put into a graph because the graph shows averages but be put on a raw table
Subjectivity
Judgement which is based on your beliefs/understanding
Objectivity
Judgement which is based on facts
Behaviourism
One psychological perspective which says behaviour is shaped by the environment and our experiences
Laboratory experiment
Consists of:
- Manipulation of IV to see the effect on the DV
- Control of EV’s so they do not become CV’s
- Random allocation of participants to conditions
Field experiment
This consists of:
- Manipulation of IV to see the effect on the DV
- The DV is measured in the real world
- Participants are not usually allocated to conditions
Quasi experiments
There is no manipulation of the IV as the 2 conditions naturally exist
Independent variable
Causal variable - causes an effect on the dependent variable. We manipulate this to see the effect on the dependent variable.
