Unit 2 Key Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

Control condition

A

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

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2
Q

Correlation

A

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other. The correlation coefficient is the mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1 to +1

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3
Q

Critical Thinking

A

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

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4
Q

Culture

A

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

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5
Q

Dependent Variable

A

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable; the effect

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6
Q

Double-blind Procedure

A

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 placebo. Commonly used in drug evaluation studies

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7
Q

Experiment

A

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

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8
Q

Experimental Condition

A

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

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9
Q

False Consensus Effect

A

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors

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10
Q

Hindsight Bias

A

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

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11
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

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12
Q

Illusory Correlation

A

The perception of a relationship where none exists

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13
Q

Independent Variable

A

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied; the cause

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14
Q

Mean

A

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

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15
Q

Median

A

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

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16
Q

Mode

A

The most frequently occurring score(s) in the distribution

17
Q

Naturalistic Observation

A

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

18
Q

Operational Definition

A

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures

19
Q

Placebo Effect

A

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which is assumed to be an active agent

20
Q

Population

A

All the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study

21
Q

Random assignment

A

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups

22
Q

Random sample

A

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

23
Q

Range

A

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in the distribution

24
Q

Replication

A

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

25
Q

Scatterplot

A

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggest the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates a high correlation).

26
Q

Standard deviation

A

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

27
Q

Statistical significance

A

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

28
Q

Survey

A

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.

29
Q

Theory

A

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

30
Q

Case study

A

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth, in the hope of revealing universal principles