Psych Final - Experiment Design Flashcards
Hindsight bias
the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we would have foreseen it
Overconfidence
the tendency to be more confident than correct—to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments.
Generalizing from extreme examples
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]
Critical thinking
thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
Scientific method (and steps)
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)
Scientific theory
linked with observation, an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
Hypotheses
testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational definition
a statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables
Replication
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
Case study
an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
Survey
a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
Random sample
a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Naturalistic observation
observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
Correlation
the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
Experiment
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
Random assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups
Experimental group
in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control group
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
Double-blind procedure
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
Independent variable
the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
Dependent Variable
the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Correlation vs. causation
a correlation between two variables does not necessarily imply that one causes the other
Illusory correlation
the perception of a relationship where none exists
Placebo effect
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
