Tools Flashcards
The scientific method
- Theories
- Hypotheses
- Operationalizatiob
- Measurement strategies
- Study designs
- Collect + analyze data
- Draw conclusions
Theories
- General explanation of phenomenon of interest
- Must be falsifiable
Hypotheses
- Specific prediction suggested by a theory (specifies how one variable is related to another variable)
Operationalization
- Translation of an abstraxt concept into something concrete that can be measured or observed
- Construct validity: How well an operationalization represents the construct its intended to represent
Measurement strategies
Study designs
Collect + analyze data
Draw conclusions
Self-report
- Closed vs open ended
- Direct vs indirect
Closed: Limit responder to predefined exp, more standardized + easier to collect data
Open: More unrestrictive, personal exp, flexible and in depth (better for explanatory questions)
Direct: Straightforward constructs
- What ppl think about a lot
Indirect: Complicated concepts
- Less readily accessible
Study: How do partners in long-term relationships construct memories of the past?
- Wives of medical students asked closed-ended questions about their marriage
- At T2 and T3, asked how felt about relationship 10 yrs ago
Recollection of satisfaction at previous time lower than they were
- Increased from T1 to T2, T2 same as T3
But overall relationship satisfaction decreased
Conclusion: Memory in close relationships can be an inaccurate record of past events, thoughts, and feelings
Study questions: Are gender diffs real or are they due to social desirability (women avoiding sexual double standard)?
- Put in either exposure threat (told peer would see), anonymous (nobody would see), or bogus pipeline (attached to fake lie detector)
- Measured engagement in autonomous sexual behavs and number of partners
Female’s responses looked closer to male’s in all measurements w/ bogus pipeline
Conclusion: Some diffs in sexuality may be exaggerated due to pressures to conform to gender norms
Correlational research features (3)
- Cross-sectional
- Descriptive questions (and sometimes predictive questions that can’t manipulate variables)
- Longitudinal
Theory of parental investment
The sex that invests more in offspring will be choosier
Strange situation reactions
- Secure
- Ambivalent (Anxious-resistant)
- Anxious-avoidant
Secure:
- CG present - Explores
- CG leaves - Upset
- CG returns - Happy, easily soothed
- CG responsive and sensitive
Ambivalent:
- CG present - Clings
- CG leaves - Extremely upset
- CG returns - Can’t be soothed, seeking/resisting comfort
- CG inconsistent
Avoidant:
- CG present - Explores
- CG leaves - Slightly/Not upset
- CG returns- Distant, ignores
- CG rejecting/hostile
Adult attachment theory
- Secure
- Dismissive-avoidant
- Fearful-avoidant
- Anxious-preoccupied
Social exchange theory
Interdependence theory
- Maximization of joint outcomes
- Comparison level (CL)
- Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt)
- Outcomes - CL = Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction
- Outcomes - CLalt = Dependence/Independence
- Concerned w/ present
- Behav = Reward of interaction - Cost of interaction
- Depends on how other ppl react too (Maximize outcome by predicting what other person will do)
- Maximization of joint outcomes: Tries to maximize rewards while minimizing costs
- Comparison level (CL): Value of outcomes that we believe we deserve in our dealings w/ others
- Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt): Whether we could be happier w/ someone else (determines dependence on current relationship)
Outcomes (Determine desire to stay in relationship):
- Unhappy + unstable
- Unhappy + unstable
- Happy + stable
- Happy + unstable
(Interdependence theory)
Worse than CL, worse than CLalt
- Leave
Worse than CL, better than CLalt
- Stay
Better than CL, better than CLalt
- Stay
Better than CL, worse than CLalt
- Leave
