Thinking Critically

Question 1

Intuition

Answer 1

An effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought

Question 2

Hindsight bias

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Scientific attitudes

Answer 3

Curious, skeptical, and humble.

Question 4

Critical thinking

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Theory

Answer 5

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 7

Operational definition

Answer 7

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. Example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 8

Replication

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Case study

Answer 9

A description technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope revealing universal principles.

Question 10

Naturalistic observation

Answer 10

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Question 11

Surveys and interviews

Answer 11

Asking people questions

Question 12

Population

Answer 12

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Question 13

Random sample

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Correlation

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Correlation coefficient

Answer 15

A statistical index of relationships between two things.

Question 16

Scatter plot

Answer 16

A graphed cluster of dots each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation.

Question 17

Regression towards the mean

Answer 17

The tendency for extreme or unshakable scores or events to fall back toward the average.

Question 18

Experiment

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Experimental group

Answer 19

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 20

Control group

Answer 20

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for the evaluations the effect of the treatment.

Question 21

Random assignment

Answer 21

Assigning participants to experimental groups and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.

Question 22

Double-blind procedure

Answer 22

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluations.

Question 23

Placebo effect

Answer 23

Any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Question 24

Independent variable

Answer 24

In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 25

Confounding variable

Answer 25

In an experiment, a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect.

Question 26

Dependent variable

Answer 26

In an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated.

Question 27

Informed consent

Answer 27

Giving potential participants enough information about the study do enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Question 28

Debriefing

Answer 28

The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Question 29

Mode

Answer 29

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution

Question 30

Mean

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Median

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Range

Answer 32

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 33

Standard deviation

Answer 33

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Question 34

Normal curve

Answer 34

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data