PSYC 100 Chapter 2 Flashcards
scientific method
The process of basing one’s confidence in an idea on systematic, direct observations of the world, usually by setting up research studies to test ideas
theory-data cycle
The process of the scientific method, in which scientists collect data that can either confirm or disconfirm a theory.
theory
A set of propositions explaining how and why people act, think or feel.
hypothesis
A specific prediction stating what will happen in a study if the theory is correct
Data
A set of empirical observations that scientists have gathered.
replication
When a study is conducted more than once on a new sample of participants, and obtains the same basic results.
journal
A periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic discipline, written for a scholarly audience
variable
Something of interest that varies from person to person or situation to situation
measured variable
A variable whose values are simply recorded
manipulated variable
A variable whose values the researcher controls, usually by assigning different participants to different levels of that variable
internal validity
ability to infer causal relationships
external validity
ability to find the same result in the real world
Naturalistic observation
Observing real behavior without trying to actively manipulate what
is going on
Naturalistic observation
Observing real behavior without trying to actively manipulate what
is going on
High in External Validity
Low in Internal Validity
Case Study
Examining a small number of people in a very detailed way, tells nothing about its prevalence in the whole population
Existence proof
one example of a psychological phenomenon
Self-report measures & Surveys
usually used to assess things that are only available to the people themselves
-Easy and inexpensive to use
-Works well enough to be used for some traits
-Not all people may have enough insight into themselves to successfully
report traits
-May result in response sets (distortions in answering questions)
Random Selection
every person in a population has an equal chance to be in a poll
(can be better than large non-randomized sample)
Reliability
whether or not a measurement is consistent across different factors
Test-retest reliability
is the test the same if you give it again?
Interrater reliability
do different people agree on what they are rating?
validity
whether a measurement
actually assesses what it should
Rating others (pros and cons)
-Rating others may avoid blind spots in our own performance
-Susceptible to the halo effect – one positive trait can make other traits
seem more positive
-Horns effect – disliking a person can blind you to their positive trait
Correlational Design
a research design that investigates the
association between two variables
Positive Correlation
as one variable increases, another
variable also increases
Negative correlation
as one variable increases, another
variable decreases