Module 2: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

after learning about an outcome we think that we knew it all along (we didn’t)

Question 2

Judgmental overconfidence

Answer 2

we think we know more than we do

Question 3

Pattern recognition (and extrapolation)

Question 4

Is the purpose of an experiment to predict real life?

Answer 4

• experiments = simplified reality w/important factors controlled
• Testing theoretical PRINCIPLES, not real life recreation
• simple principles found in lab applied to real life, which does generally work (but never particular BEHAVIORS)

Question 5

Differences across cultures and genders

Answer 5

• Traits and behaviors can vary on a specific scale
• Overarching underlying processes are the same as a sort of “human family”

Question 6

Why do we study animals?

Answer 6

• common biology, particularly in the processes of learning, and simpler nervous systems allow us to understand the basic process which ours built upon
• Allows us to test on animals with the most similar biologies without harming humans

Question 7

Value judgements in psychology

Answer 7

• Preconceived notions/biases going into a study influences how the study is carried out/interpreted
• Different choices of topics due to inherent researchers’ values
• Sometimes see what we want to/expect to see
• Words have connotations with inherent values too (ex. faith vs. fanaticism)

Question 8

The scientific method (3 parts)

Answer 8

• Curiosity, skepticism, and humility

Question 9

define debriefing

Answer 9

explain research after the fact

Question 10

does the outcome of one event impact another separate event, like getting a million head coin flips in a row?

Answer 10

no, they are completely separate entities under the constraints of utter randomness with no clue as to what will come next

Question 11

replication

Answer 11

repeating the core idea of a study to see if it extends to diff. circumstances

Question 12

operational definition

Answer 12

statement of operations used to define research variables (KEY TO FRQS) (define dependent and independent)

(ex. memory improves with regular exercise

define: memory, improves (what degree? how?), regular (HOW often?) and exercise (does golf count?)

Question 13

when is theory useful?

Answer 13

if it ORGANIZES a range of reports and observations

if it IMPLIES CLEAR PREDICTIONS to check if theory works or find practical applications

Question 14

big 3 descriptive methods:

Answer 14

1. case studies
2. surveys
3. naturalistic observation

Question 15

describe a case study

Answer 15

1. oldest method
2. studies ONE individual in depth for principles/ideas
3. not all that reliable for the general populous, overwhelms general truths

Question 16

describe a survey

Answer 16

1. SELF-REPORTED
2. Usually random samples of people
3. subtlewording has a massive impact on responses

Question 17

false consensus effect

Answer 17

you think ppl agree w/you when they don’t, caused by people who share our beliefs and way of life

Question 18

Naturalistic observation

Answer 18

1. observing nature w/o control
2. Hawthorne effect

Question 19

what is the point of the big three descriptive methods?

Answer 19

describe a behavior, but not necessarily explain

Question 20

illusory correlation

Answer 20

perceiving a fake relationships between two things and, as a result, noticing instances that confirm it rather than the legions that don’t (you always miss a text when you’re showering vs. the amnt of times you’ve showered and not missed a text)

Question 21

when do we use the word correlated?

Answer 21

when surveys/observation reveals a trait accompanies another

Question 22

correlation coefficient

Answer 22

• how factors vary together and predict each other
• from -1 to 1, positive = direct proportion increase, negative = inverse relationship, magnitude is strength of difference/similarity

Question 23

which is the stronger correlation:
-0.71
or
0.5
?

Answer 23

-0.71, correlation strength does NOT = most positive, abs value instead

Question 24

experimentation/ best way to isolate cause and effect

Answer 24

investigator manipulates independent variables to see what happens to dependent variables (behavior/mental processes)

Question 25

experimental blind

Answer 25

participant who is uninformed abt the nature of their treatment/placebo

Question 26

experimental group

Answer 26

condition of an experiment that exposes to one version of the kind. variable

Question 27

double-blind procedure

Answer 27

both researches and participants blind abt treatment type and placebo

proves if things are truly correlated

Question 28

hawthorne effect

Answer 28

someone under observation acts differently than normal