Psych Final - Experiment Design

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we would have foreseen it

Question 2

Overconfidence

Answer 2

the tendency to be more confident than correct—to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments.

Question 3

Generalizing from extreme examples

Answer 3

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses [making a generalization about a certain thing based on one experience. e.g. if one guy breaks your heart, you then believe that all men are evil heartbreakers]

Question 4

Critical thinking

Answer 4

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

Question 5

Scientific method (and steps)

Answer 5

a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments, (steps: ask question, do research, construct hypothesis, test hypothesis through experiment, analyze data, draw conclusion, communicate results)

Question 6

Scientific theory

Answer 6

linked with observation, an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Question 7

Hypotheses

Answer 7

testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 8

Operational definition

Answer 8

a statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables

Question 9

Replication

Answer 9

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Question 10

Case study

Answer 10

an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Question 11

Survey

Answer 11

a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Question 12

Random sample

Answer 12

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Question 13

Naturalistic observation

Answer 13

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Question 14

Correlation

Answer 14

the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors

Question 16

Random assignment

Answer 16

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

Question 17

Experimental group

Answer 17

in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Question 18

Control group

Answer 18

in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Question 19

Double-blind procedure

Answer 19

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo

Question 20

Independent variable

Answer 20

the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Question 21

Dependent Variable

Answer 21

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

Question 22

Correlation vs. causation

Answer 22

a correlation between two variables does not necessarily imply that one causes the other

Question 23

Illusory correlation

Answer 23

the perception of a relationship where none exists

Question 24

Placebo effect

Answer 24

experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent