Test #1 Flashcards

Chapter 2 & 9

1
Q

What are the steps in a Scientific Investigation?

A
  1. Formulate a testable hypothesis
  2. Select the research method and design
  3. Collect the data
  4. Analyze the data and draw conclusions
  5. Report the findings
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2
Q

Dependent variable (DV)

A

variable affected by manipulation

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3
Q

Independent variable (IV)

A

variable manipulated

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4
Q

Experiment

A

manipulation of one variable under controlled conditions so that resulting changes in another variable can be observed (Ex: Coke and Mentos)

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5
Q

What is the theory construction?

A

Confidence in theory increases
^
Theory > Hypothesis > Empirical Research
v
Revise/refine the theory < Confidence in theory decreases
v
Discard the theory

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6
Q

Operational definitions

A

are used to clarify precisely what is meant by each variable (e.g., self esteem defined as score on survey)

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7
Q

Participants or subjects

A

are the organisms whose behaviour is systematically observed in a study

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8
Q

Data collection techniques

A

allow for empirical observation and measurement

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9
Q

Methods used when a researcher cannot manipulate the variables under study?

A
  • Naturalistic observation
  • Case studies
  • Surveys
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10
Q

Measures of central tendency is?

A

typical or average score in a distribution

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11
Q

Mean?

A

arithmetic average of scores

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12
Q

Mode?

A

most frequently occurring score

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13
Q

Medium?

A

score falling in the exact centre

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14
Q

Meta-Analysis

A
  • A study of many other studies
  • Combines the statistical results of many studies asking the same questions
  • Offers an estimate of the size and consistency of a variable’s effects
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15
Q

Control group

A

similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment

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16
Q

Experimental group

A

subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable

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17
Q

Statistical significance

A

when the probability that the observed findings are due to chance is very low

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18
Q

Standard Deviation

A

numerical depiction of variability
High variability in data set = high standard deviation
Low variability in data set = low standard deviation

19
Q

Variability

A

how much scores vary from each other and from the mean

Range = the simplest measure of variability, and the most intuitive

20
Q

Statistics

A

using mathematics to organize, summarize, and interpret numerical data

21
Q

Inferential statistics

A

interpreting data and drawing conclusions

22
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

organizing and summarizing data

23
Q

Experimental Research disadvantages

A
  • Artificial nature of experiments

- Ethical and practical issues

24
Q

Experimental Research Advantages

A

-Conclusions about cause-and-effect can be drawn

25
Correlation
numerical index of degree of relationship
26
Higher correlation coefficients
increased ability to predict one variable based on the other
27
Cognitive Ability
The ability to reason, remember, understand, solve problems, and make decisions
28
Intelligence
Those attributes that centre around skill at information processing, problem solving, and adapting to new or changing situations
29
Lewis Terman (1916)
- Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale | - Intelligence Quotient (IQ) = MA/CA x 100
30
David Wechsler (1955)
-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
31
Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon (1905)
- Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale (first formal test) | - Mental age (beginnings of the ‘quotient’)
32
Sir Francis Galton (1869)
-Hereditary Genius (correctly concluded that intelligence is largely inherited)
33
The Information-Processing Approach
Identifies the processes involved in behaving intelligently.
34
The Psychometric Approach
- Spearman’s ‘G’ – one factor solution - Thurstone’s 7-factor solution - Catell’s 2-factor solution = fluid & crystallized
35
Heredity
- Family and twin studies | - Heritability estimates (how much variability is genes?)
36
Enviornment
- Adoption studies (who are you more like?) - Cumulative deprivation hypothesis (effects of negative environments) - The Flynn effect (are we getting smarter? Why?)
37
Interaction
-The concept of the reaction range (genes set upper and lower limits; environment does the rest)
38
Standardization
- Test norms (e.g., for certain ages, sex) | - Standardization group (recall problems of sampling)
39
Reliability
-Correlation coefficient (e.g., test-retest)
40
Validity
- Content validity (is content representative?) - Criterion-related validity (is score related to some other related score?) - Construct validity (is there lots of evidence it measures what it purports to measure?)
41
Mental Ability Tests
- Intelligence – general (intellectual potential) - Aptitude – specific (e.g., numerical ability) - Achievement tests (e.g., mastery of knowledge in a particular area)
42
Personality Scales
-Measure motives, interests, values, and attitudes
43
Intellectual Disability or Mental Retardation 4 levels:
mild, moderate, severe, profound