psych chapter 1 Flashcards
Scientific method
Make observations from theories refining theories
Why do psych?
Problems with common sense
- hindsight bias
Overconfidence
Theory
Explains behaviors by organizing observations
Hypothesis-
predictions that let us test a theory
Case studies
Descriptive study
Careful observation of one individual
Pros- can examine variables that cannot be manipulated
Cons- subject may be unrepresentative, cannot make causal claims
Survey
Descriptive study
Naturalistic observations
Descriptive study
Observe and record behavior in its natural environment writ out intrusion
Pros- examine variables that cannot be manipulated, see behavior in the real world
Cons- no control of factors
Correlational studies
Measure the strength and direction of t relationship between two variables
Positive correlation
Variables increase and decrease together
Negative correlations
One variable increases while the other decreases
Correlation coefficient
Stat indicating strength of relationship
1 to -1
0 means no relation
Illusory correlation
Perception of a relationship where there is none
Experimental study
Manipulating one variable and measuring the effect on a second variable
Independent variable
What the experimenter manipulates
Dependent variable
What is being measured
