Thinking Critically With Psychological Science - Vocabulary

Question 1

The tendency to believe after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it (I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)

Answer 1

Hindsight Bias

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Theory

Question 3

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 3

Hypothesis

Question 4

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studies in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Answer 4

Case Study

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Naturalistic Observation

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Naturalistic Observation

Question 7

A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Answer 7

Survey

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Random Sample

Question 9

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Answer 9

Correlation Co-efficient

Question 10

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Answer 10

Variable

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Experiment

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Experimental Group

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Control Group

Question 14

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 14

Double Blind Procedure

Question 15

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on
behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active ag

Answer 15

Placebo Effect

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Independant Variable

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Dependent Variable