Psychology Chapter Two

Question 1

Define scientific method

Answer 1

A multistep technique that generates empirical knowledge–that is, knowledge derived from systematic observations of the world.

Question 2

The four steps in the scientific method

Answer 2

1) Observe
2) Detect regularities
3) Generate a hypothesis
4) Observe

Question 3

Descriptive research

Answer 3

Methods designed to observe and describe behavior

Question 4

Reactivity

Answer 4

When behavior changes as a result of the observation process

Question 5

External validity

Answer 5

The extent to which results generalize to other situations or are representative of real life

Question 6

naturalistic observation

Answer 6

A descriptive research technique that records naturally occurring behavior as opposed to behavior produced in the laboratory.

Question 7

Case study

Answer 7

A descriptive research technique in which the effort is focused on a single case, usually an individual.

Question 8

Survey

Answer 8

A descriptive research technique designed to gather limited amounts of information from many people, usually by administering some kind of questionnaire.

Question 9

Random sampling

Answer 9

A procedure guaranteeing that everyone in the population has an equal likelihood of being selected for a sample

Question 10

Methods designed to observe and describe behavior

Answer 10

Descriptive research

Question 11

A descriptive research technique that records naturally occurring behavior as opposed to behavior produced in the laboratory.

Answer 11

naturalistic observation

Question 12

A descriptive research technique in which the effort is focused on a single case, usually an individual.

Answer 12

Case study

Question 13

A descriptive research technique designed to gather limited amounts of information from many people, usually by administering some kind of questionnaire.

Answer 13

Survey

Question 14

A procedure guaranteeing that everyone in the population has an equal likelihood of being selected for a sample

Answer 14

Random sampling

Question 15

Psychological tests

Answer 15

Measure individual differences among people

Question 16

Measure individual differences among people

Answer 16

Psychological tests

Question 17

mean

Answer 17

The arithmetic average of a set of scores

Question 18

mode

Answer 18

the most frequently occurring score in a set of scores

Question 19

Median

Answer 19

the middle point in an ordered set of scores; half the scores fall at or below the median score, and half fall at or above the median score

Question 20

Descriptive statistics

Answer 20

Mathematical techniques that help researchers describe their data

Question 21

Inferential statistics

Answer 21

Mathematical techniques that help researchers decide whether data are representative of a population or whether differences among observations can be attributed to chance

Question 22

Correlation

Answer 22

A statistic that indicates whether two variables vary together in a systematic way; correlation coefficients vary from +1.00 to -1.00

Question 23

Experimental research

Answer 23

A technique in which the investigator actively manipulates the environment to observe its effect on behavior

Question 24

A technique in which the investigator actively manipulates the environment to observe its effect on behavior

Answer 24

Experimental research

Question 25

Purpose of Descriptive Method

Answer 25

Observing and describing behavior

Question 26

Research tactics of the Descriptive Method (4)

Answer 26

1) naturalistic observation
2) case studies
3) survey research
4) psychological tests

Question 27

Purpose of correlational method

Answer 27

Predicting and selecting behavior

Question 28

Research tactics of the correlational method (1)

Answer 28

1) statistical correlations based on two or more variables

Question 29

Purpose of the experimental method

Answer 29

determining why behavior occurs: establishing cause and effect

Question 30

Research tactics of the experimental method (1)

Answer 30

1) Experiments manipulating the independent variable to note effects on the dependent variable

Question 31

Confounding variable

Answer 31

An uncontrolled variable that changes along with the independent variable (messes up the experiment a little)

Question 32

Internal validity

Answer 32

The extent to which an experiment has effectively controlled for confounding variables; internally valid experiments allow for the determination of causality.

Question 33

Random assignment

Answer 33

A technique ensuring that each participant in an experiment has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions in the experiment.

Question 34

Single-Blind Study

Answer 34

Experimental participants do not know to which condition they have been assigned (e.g., experimental versus control); it’s used to control for participant expectancies.

Question 35

Double-blind study

Answer 35

neither participants nor research observers are aware of who has been assigned to the experimental and control groups; it’s used to control for both participant and experimenter expectancies

Question 36

Informed consent

Answer 36

The principle that before consenting to participate in research, people should be fully informed about any significant factors that could affect their willingness to participate

Question 37

debriefing

Answer 37

at the conclusion of an experimental session, informing the participants about the general purpose of the experiment, including any deception that was involved

Question 38

Confidentiality

Answer 38

the principle that personal information obtained from a participant in research or therapy should not be revealed without the individual’s permission