Research Methods & Introduction to Psychology Flashcards
Psychology
The scientific study of human thoughts, feelings and behaviour
The Scientific Method
- Identify the topic
- Formulate a research hypothesis
- Design the research
- Collect the data
- Analyse the data
- Interpret and evaluate the results
- Report the research and findings
Biopsychosocial Approach
Suggests that biological, psychological and social factors interact to cause and influence human behaviour and mental processes
Pseudoscience
Any non scientific approach to studying human behaviour that may produce biased or unreliable results
Phrenology
Explores the relationship between the skulls surface features and an individual’s personality characteristics
Barnum Effect
The notion that people are more likely to believe statements about themselves when they are positive, vague and general, even when there is no particular reason to do so
Empirical Evidence
Data collected through systematic observations and or carefully constructed observations
Population
Refers to the entire group of research interest and to which the researcher will wish to apply/generalise their research findings
Sample
Is the research participants who were selected from the larger population
Experiment
Used to test a cause and effect relationship between two particular variables
Variable
Something that can change/ vary and is measurable
Independent Variable
Variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher to see whether it affects another variable
Dependent Variable
The variable that is used to measure the effects of the IV
Hypothesis Template
It is hypothesised that those who (exposed to the IV) will (directional impact on the DV) in comparison to those who have not (exposed to the IV)
Extraneous Variables
Are any variables other than the IV that can cause an unwanted change in the DV. They are identified prior to the research and are controlled in the research design.
Confounding Variables
Any variable other than the IV that may have an unwanted effect on the DV or that can be confused with that of the IV
Confounding and Extraneous Variables:
Placebo Effect Order Effect Non-standardised Instructions and Procedures Individual Differences Experimenter Effect
Placebo Effect
When a participants’ response is changed by their belief or expectation that they are receiving some kind of treatment, as opposed to change caused by the actual treatment
Order Effect
Occurs when performance is influenced by the specific order in which the experimental tasks are presented rather than the IV
Non-standardised instructions and procedures
If certain groups are given different instructions from the researcher, this can have an unwanted impact on the DV. Even small variations in procedures can impact the results.
Individual Differences
Any differences between the participants that you are studying (other than the IV) that impact the DV
Experimenter Effect
Any of a number of subtle cues or singals from an experimenter that affect the performance or response of subjects in the experiment
Hawthorne Effect
An increase in worker productivity produced by the psychological stimulus of being singled out and made to feel important
Law of Large Numbers
The greater the sample size, the greater the change that the attributes of the sample are representative of the population
Sampling/ Participant Selection
Random Sampling
Stratified Sampling
Convenience Sampling
Random Sampling
Ensures that every member of the population of research interest has an equal chance of being selected to be part of the sample
Stratified Sampling
Dividing the population into different sub groups (strata) and selecting a separate sample from each stratum in the same proportions that they appear in the population
Convenience Sampling
Selecting participants who are readily available without any attempt to make the sample representative of the population
Random Allocation
Every participant has an equal chance of being selected for any of the groups used
Counterbalancing
Used to minimise/ balance out order and practice effects. Involves systematically changing the order of treatments for participants in a balanced way to counter the unwanted effects order effects