Psychology Basics

Question 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.

Answer 1

Hindsight bias

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Critical thinking

Question 3

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations.

Answer 3

Theory

Question 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Answer 4

Hypothesis

Question 5

A statement of the procedures used to define research variables.

Answer 5

Operational definition

Question 6

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.

Answer 6

Replication

Question 7

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth, in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Answer 7

Case study

Question 8

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.

Answer 8

Survey

Question 9

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors.

Answer 9

False consensus effect

Question 10

All the cases in a group from which samples may be drawn for a study.

Answer 10

Population

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Random sample

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Naturalistic observation

Question 13

A statistical measure that indicates the extent to which two factors vary together, and, thus, how well either factor predicts the other.

Answer 13

Correlation

Question 14

A graphed cluster of dots.

Answer 14

Scatter plot

Question 15

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Answer 15

Illusory correlation

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Experiment

Question 17

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received a treatment or a placebo.

Answer 17

Double-blind procedure

Question 18

The experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior that was caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which is assumed to be an active agent.

Answer 18

Placebo effect

Question 19

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Answer 19

Experimental condition

Question 20

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating effect of the treatment.

Answer 20

Control condition

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Random assignment

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Independent variable

Question 23

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution.

Answer 23

Mode

Question 24

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Answer 24

Mean

Question 25

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and the other half is below it.

Answer 25

Median

Question 26

A measure of score variability.

Answer 26

Standard deviation

Question 27

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Answer 27

Statistical significance

Question 28

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people that is transmitted from one generation to the next.

Answer 28

Culture