Thinking Critically with Psychological Science - Chapter 1 Flashcards
Hindsight Bias
The tenancy to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.
(I-Knew-It-All-Along Phenomenon)
Overconfidence
Once people know the answer, hindsight makes it seem obvious-so much so that people become overconfident
Sometimes we think we know more than we actually know
Limits of intuition
People rely too much on their gut feelings when meeting someone.
(He’s trouble… I know it in my gut)
Conformation bias
The tendency for us to overvalue data we receive to support our pre-existing beliefs. Therefore, there is a need for the scientific attitude and method
Three main components of the scientific attitude
Curiosity (Passion for exploration)
Skepticism (doubting and questioning)
Humility (ability to accept responsibility when wrong)
Critical Thinking
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden value, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
Conducting Research - Hypothesis
- A hypothesis is a testable prediction, often prompted by a past theory, to enable to us to accept, reject or revise the theory
The 3 types of research
Case Study
Survey
Natural Observation
Case Study
An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principals.
Survey
A technique for ascertaining the self - reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
Random Sampling & Wording Effects
- Each member of a population must have an equal change. At least 1500 people
- Must be careful of wording effects - wording can change results of survey
Theory
A theory is an explanation that integrates principals, organizes and predicts behavior or events. It is developed after research has been done
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.
R = +0.37
- Low self esteem could cause depression
- Depression could cause low self esteem
Correlation Co efficient
A statistical index of the relationship between two things
from - 1 to + 1
Scatterplots
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of their relationship between the two variables.
Illusory Correlations
Perceived non existent correlations… What we believe, so we see it to be true
Experiment
- The backbone to all psychological research
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variable) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (Dependent variable)
By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors
Random Assignments
Assigning participants to experimental or control groups by chance, thus minimizing pre - existing differences between those assigned to different groups
Double-blind Procedure
An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatments or the placebo.
Placebo Effect
Experimental results caused by expectations alone. Any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert (Blind) substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
Experimental group
In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Control Group
In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serve as a comparison for evaluating the effects of the treatment.
Mode
The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
Mean
The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores
- Can be skewed by a large minority
