LECTURE 5 Flashcards
What are confounding variables? .
Extraneous variables that influence the results of a study
What are examples of confounding variables?
Participant characteristics, situational variables, and expectancy effects.
What are expectancy effects?
When participants’ expectations unconsciously affect the study’s outcome.
How can confounding variables be minimized in between-subjects designs?
By ensuring constancy across groups.
What are three methods of participant allocation in between-subjects designs?
Natural groups, matched groups, and random allocation.
What is a natural group design?
Using pre-existing groups, like smokers vs. non-smokers, but it doesn’t control for confounding variables.
What is a matched group design?
Matching participants based on certain characteristics, like age, to minimize confounds
What is random allocation design?
Randomly assigning participants to groups to balance extraneous variables.
What is a within-subjects design?
The same participants experience all conditions of the experiment.
What is counterbalancing?
A method to control order effects in within-subjects designs by varying the order of conditions.
What are order effects?
Changes in participants’ performance due to the sequence of conditions, such as practice or fatigue.
What is a complete within-subjects design?
Participants experience all conditions multiple times, with varied order within participants.
What is an incomplete within-subjects design?
Participants experience each condition only once, with order varied between participants.
What is the Latin Square design?
A counterbalancing method ensuring each condition occurs in each position exactly once.
What is block randomization?
Randomizing the order of conditions multiple times for each participant.
What is an ABBA design?
Presenting conditions in one sequence and then the reverse (e.g., A-B-B-A).
What are limitations of counterbalancing?
Time-consuming, doesn’t control individual differences, and can’t prevent differential transfer effects.
What are observational methods?
Techniques for studying people or animals in natural or controlled environments without manipulating variables
What are the two types of observational data?
Qualitative (natural, unspecific behavior) and quantitative (specific, measurable behavior).
What is naturalistic observation?
Observing behavior as it naturally occurs without intervention.
What are the advantages of naturalistic observation?
High external validity and ability to study complex social situations.
What are the disadvantages of naturalistic observation?
Time-consuming and purely descriptive, with no causal conclusions.
What is participant observation?
The researcher becomes part of the group being studied, either overtly or covertly.
What is structured observation?
Researchers create an event or manipulate the environment to observe specific behaviors.
What is a field experiment?
A controlled experiment conducted in a natural setting.
What is inter-rater reliability?
The consistency of ratings between two or more observers.
What can improve inter-rater reliability?
Clear categories, definitions, and observer training.
What is participant reactivity?
Participants modifying their behavior due to being observed.
What is the Hawthorne Effect?
When participants alter their behavior because they are aware of being observed.
How can participant reactivity be minimized?
Using unobtrusive measures, disguised observation, habituation, or indirect methods.
What is observer bias?
Systematic errors due to the observer’s expectations or preconceptions.
How can observer bias be minimized?
Using blind observers and thorough observer training.
Why are observational studies important despite their limitations?
They provide valuable insights when experiments are impractical or unethical.
