Textbook Reading 1

Question 1

conceptual variable

Answer 1

the characteristics that we are trying to measure

Question 2

operational definition

Answer 2

the particular method that we use to measure a variable of interest
multiple per conceptual variable, varies based on goal of research and type of situation were in

Question 3

behavioral measures

Answer 3

measures designed to directly assess what people do

Question 4

self report measures

Answer 4

measures in which individuals are asked to respond to questions posed by an interviewer or on a questionnaire.

Question 5

electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 5

a technique that records the electrical activity produced by the brain’s neurons through the use of electrodes that are placed around the research participant’s head

Question 6

EEG +/-

Answer 6

+ can be done while patients moving
+ tracks clear feeling and emotions through brain pattern
+ quick tracking in real time (researcher is able to see quickly)
+ can observe changes over fast periods of time
- provide general patterns of the brain) of large area of the brain) but cannot get specific

Question 7

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) +/-

Answer 7

+ specific brain imaging
+ how which parts of the brain are associated with which types of task
+ non invasive
- expensive

Question 8

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 8

a neuroimaging technique that uses a magnetic field to create images of brain structure and function

Question 9

Pearson correlation coefficient (symbolized by the letter r)

Answer 9

normally used to summarize the association, or correlation, between two variables

Question 10

correlational research

Answer 10

Goal: To assess the relationships between two or more variables
+ allows for prediction
ex. HS gpa is correlated to college gpa and therefore we are able to predict college gpa (future)
+ in real-world setting
- cannot be used to draw conclusions about the causal relationships among the variables that have been measured

Question 11

Common-causal variables (3rd variable)

Answer 11

variables that are not part of the research hypothesis but that cause both the predictor and the outcome variable and thus produce the observed correlation between them

Question 12

Experimental research

Answer 12

used to explore the causal relationships among variables, and for this we use experiments

Question 13

Experimental research designs

Answer 13

research designs that include the manipulation of
a given situation or experience for two or more groups of individuals who are initially created to be equivalent, followed by a measurement of the effect of that experience.

Question 14

independent variable

Answer 14

the situation that is created by the experimenter through the experimental manipulations

Question 15

dependent variable

Answer 15

the variable that is measured after the manipulations have occurred

Question 16

Experimental design

Answer 16

+ guarantee that the independent variable occurs prior to measuring the dependent variable - eliminates the possibility of reverse causation.
+ the experimental manipulation allows ruling out the possibility of common-causal variables that cause both the independent variable and the dependent variable
(how? its ruled out by creating equivalence in participants before they start)
- not real-world tested (may not transfer)
- some of the most interesting and important social variables cannot be experimentally manipulated (ie can’t manipulate mobs or cult membership)

Question 17

random assignment to conditions

Answer 17

random process

Question 18

internal validity

Answer 18

confidence with which we can draw conclusions about the causal relationship between the variables.

high = ensure independence before dependent, equal/same sample, change only nature of independent b/w conditions

Question 19

field experiments

Answer 19

experiment in natural scenarios

Question 20

Factorial research designs

Answer 20

experimental designs that have two or more independent variables

Question 21

external validity

Answer 21

the extent to which relationships can be expected to hold up when they are tested again in different ways and for different people

Question 22

meta-analysis

Answer 22

a statistical procedure in which the results of existing studies are combined to determine what conclusions can be drawn on the basis of all the studies considered together.