New - Ch 2 (NoteLM) Flashcards
Review Journal Article
A scholarly publication that summarizes and synthesizes existing research on a particular topic.
Probabilistic
Based on probability; findings in psychological science are probabilistic, meaning they explain a proportion of cases but not all cases all the time.
Present/Present Bias
he tendency to overestimate the relationship between two variables because it is easier to notice and consider information that is present than information that is absent.
Empirical Journal Article:
A scholarly publication that reports, for the first time, the results of an empirical research study.
Confound
An extraneous variable that systematically varies with the independent variable, making it difficult to determine the true cause of the observed effect.
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values.
Comparison Group
A group in a research study that receives either no treatment or a different treatment than the experimental group, serving as a baseline for comparison.
Availability Heuristic:
A mental shortcut where we judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples of it come to mind.
What are some things to consider before trusting an authority figure’s claims?
Before trusting an authority, consider the source of their information, any potential biases they might have, and whether their claims go beyond the available evidence. It’s crucial to evaluate the credibility of the source and their information.
Define confirmation bias and give an example of how it might manifest in daily life.
Confirmation bias is our tendency to favor information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs. For example, if we believe that left-handed people are more creative, we might selectively pay attention to evidence supporting this view while ignoring evidence to the contrary.
What is the present/present bias and how does it relate to the availability heuristic?
Present/present bias is our tendency to focus on what is present and ignore what is absent. It relates to the availability heuristic because we are more likely to remember and notice instances where something is present, making them more available in our minds. This can lead to biased conclusions as we neglect instances where the event did not occur.
Explain how the availability heuristic can bias our thinking.
The availability heuristic is our tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events that easily come to mind. For example, vivid memories of plane crashes might lead us to believe that air travel is more dangerous than it actually is.
What is a comparison group and why is it important in research?
A comparison group provides a baseline to assess the effect of the variable being studied. It allows us to compare what happens in the presence of the variable versus its absence. Without a comparison group, it’s impossible to isolate the true effect of the variable and draw valid conclusions.
Why is personal experience a limited way of understanding the world compared to scientific research?
Personal experience is limited because it lacks a systematic comparison group. Without a comparison group, we cannot know if an outcome is due to the variable of interest or some other factor. Scientific research addresses this limitation by incorporating comparison groups and controlling for extraneous variables.