Unit 2: Psychological Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

APA ethical guidelines for human research

A

Ethical guidelines for psychological research that protects any human or animal participants from excessive or unnecessary physical or emotional harm

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2
Q

applied research

A

psychological research that applies its scientific findings to real-world scenerios

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3
Q

Barnum effect

A

the gullibility of people when reading descriptions for themselves

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4
Q

basic research

A

research solely done to improve knowledge or understanding in a field of study

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5
Q

biased sample

A

a sample of a larger population that is not random and may fail to accurately represent the population well

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6
Q

case study

A

a method of descriptive research where a researcher analyzes one specific individual or group with exceptional detail to find out if the data gathered can be applied to a larger population

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7
Q

causation conditioned response

A

behavior not learned naturally but rather learned through purposeful pairing with a stimulus

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8
Q

confounding variables

A

variables that interfere with the results of an experiment because they have some connection to the independent variable

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9
Q

Control

A

a factor in an experiment that is used as a reference to compare the results of the independent variable to

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10
Q

control group

A

a group that is not given the independent variable that the experimental group is given. It acts as a baseline to see how the independent variable affects the experimental group or the dependent variable

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11
Q

Correlation

A

statistical analysis to find any relationship between variables

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12
Q

correlation coefficient

A

describes how strongly two variables are related on a scale from -1.00 to 1.00.

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13
Q

covert behavior

A

human behaviors which can not be observed

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14
Q

critical thinking

A

thinking that doesn’t blindly accept arguments and conclusions, but rather examines any assumptions made, assesses the source of the arguments or conclusions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

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15
Q

Debriefing

A

fully explaining the purpose of an experiment including any deceptions used in an experiment to a participant after the experiment has occured

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16
Q

dependent variable

A

variable that changes due to changes in the independent variable

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17
Q

Description

A

statements that describe who someone is, what an object is, where an object is, and when the time is

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18
Q

descriptive statistics

A

statistics used to organize, summarize, and describe data

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19
Q

double-blind procedure

A

experiment where neither participants nor the researchers know what research group the participants are assigned to

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20
Q

empirical evidence

A

evidence supported by research findings and psychology

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21
Q

Experiment

A

scientific procedure that is done to find how an independent and dependent variable are connected, or if they are connected at all

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22
Q

experimental group

A

group that is to be tested by manipulating the independent variable

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23
Q

experimental method

A

a way for one to design an experiment and collect data

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24
Q

experimental self-observation

A

analysis of one’s self through a scientific experiment on one’s self

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25
Q

experimental subjects

A

individuals who participate in an experimental study

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26
Q

experimenter bias

A

when the experimenter or researcher affects the results of an experiment due to specific verbal contact with the subjects

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27
Q

fallacy of positive instances

A

tendency for people to only recognize statements in arguments that agree with their own opinions

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28
Q

gender bias

A

tendency to prefer one gender over another

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29
Q

Hawthorne effect

A

tendency for some individuals to alter their behavior due to being observed

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30
Q

hindsight bias

A

tendency to believe that one would have foreseen an outcome only after experiencing or learning it

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31
Q

Hypothesis

A

an educated guess that answers a question

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32
Q

illusory correlation

A

believing that there is a relation between two variables when there is none

33
Q

independent variable

A

variable that is manipulated by an experimenter to see its effect on the dependent variable

34
Q

inferential statistics

A

statistics used to analyze data to make conclusions about the population

35
Q

informed consent

A

giving a full explanation of the purpose of an experiment and steps of it to a participant so the participant may choose whether or not he or she would like to be in it

36
Q

Mean

A

the average value of a data set

37
Q

measures of variability

A

ways to measure how much data values vary

38
Q

Median

A

the middle value of a sequentially ordered data set

39
Q

Mode

A

the value in a data set that is the most frequent

40
Q

naturalistic observation

A

a method of descriptive research where one watches and records the behavior of organisms in their natural habitat without interference

41
Q

negative correlation

A

when an increase in an independent variable causes a decrease in the dependent variable

42
Q

normal curve

A

a frequency distribution shaped like a bell curve where the measures of variability, the mean, median, and mode, are all in the same place in the middle. The middle is where most of the data values are located, and as values recede away from the middle, the data value amount decreases

43
Q

observer bias

A

when expectations of an observer or experimenter affects the results of the study

44
Q

observer effect

A

happens in naturalistic observation when the “watcher” is seen by the organism being researched and changes its usual behavior because of it

45
Q

Overconfidence

A

action of being more confident than correct in a situation

46
Q

overt behavior

A

behavior that can be physically seen

47
Q

Placebo

A

a substance or treatment that is given to a group of people and has no effect; it is used as a control

48
Q

placebo effect

A

results caused by a drug evaluation experiment are due to the expectations alone of the experiment; i.e. if given an inert placebo to a user who does not know whether the “drug” is the treatment or not, the user may be excited and think that the “drug” ie was the treatment

49
Q

Population

A

a larger group that a sample is taken from

50
Q

positive correlation

A

when an increase in the independent variable causes an increase in the dependent variable

51
Q

Prediction

A

a statement that attempts to predict what will happen in the future given past or known information

52
Q

random assignment

A

the participants are assigned to a research group by chance

53
Q

random sample

A

each member of a sample has an equal chance of being chosen

54
Q

random selection

A

a method of sampling where the participants are chosen at random

55
Q

Range

A

the highest value of a data set minus the lowest value

56
Q

Reliability

A

the extent to which a research study is stable and consistent

57
Q

Replication

A

the processes of repeating an experiment or quality of being able to repeat an experiment

58
Q

representative sample

A

the sample chosen that represents the larger population well

59
Q

research method

A

the methods that one uses to collect data

60
Q

sampling bias

A

the flawed process of sampling that produces an unrepresentative sample

61
Q

Scatterplot

A

a graphical representation of an association between variables

62
Q

scientific observation

A

observation carried out by careful thought and accuracy to obtain data

63
Q

single-blind experiment

A

experiment where the participants do not know what research group they are assigned to, but the researchers do know what research group they are assigned to.

64
Q

skewed distribution

A

a distribution of data points that are affected by “way-off” data scores

65
Q

standard deviation

A

the average distance a value is away from the mean

66
Q

statistical significance

A

the probability that a statistical finding is due to something other than chance or coincidence

67
Q

stratified sampling

A

sample taken from a subpopulation rather than the whole population

68
Q

survey method

A

a method of descriptive research where one gathers personal information from the participants

69
Q

Theory

A

ideas that attempt to explain observations

70
Q

uncritical acceptance

A

tendency to believe the compliments you recieve

71
Q

Validity

A

how correct, logical, relevant, and meaningful a research study is to the target variable

72
Q

Variable

A

anything measured in an experiment

73
Q

How do psychologists collect information?

A

Psychologists collect information by designing and proceeding with experiments

74
Q

How is an experiment performed, and what are its major components?

A

An experiment is performed using the scientific method and consists of an independent variable, a dependent variable, and an experimental and control group

75
Q

What research methods do psychologists use, and for what purposes?

A

Psychologists use descriptive research to describe behaviors, they use experimental research to find the effects of one variable on another, and they use correlational research to find if there is any relationship whatsoever between two variables.

76
Q

How does psychology differ from false explanations of behavior?

A

Psychology uses scientific thinking and reasoning to test these explanations on how true they are

77
Q

How dependable is psychological information in popular media?

A

Psychological information from the popular media may not be accurate; it is much better to check these facts with trustable and accurate sources

78
Q

What is the role of critical thinking in the scientific process?

A

Science uses critical thinking to test its theories to the maximum and further improve the accuracy of theories

79
Q

What ethical questions does psychological research raise?

A

Some ethical questions include “is it ethical to experiment on animals/ people?”