Unit 2 (research methods)

Question 1

Hindsight Bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that you knew that all along

Question 2

Critical Thinking

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 5

Operational Definition

Answer 5

A statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex: human intelligence – what an intelligence test measures.

Question 6

Replication

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Case Study

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Survey

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Population

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Random Sample

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 13

a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Question 14

Scatter plot

Answer 14

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation

Question 15

Illusory Correlation

Answer 15

The perception of a relationship where none exists

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Random Assignment

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Double Blind Procedure

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Placebo Effect

Answer 19

any effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo

Question 20

Experimental Group

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Control Group

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Independent Variable

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Confounding Variable

Answer 23

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Question 23

Dependent Variables

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Question 25

Mean

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Median

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Standard Deviations

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Normal Curve/distribution

Answer 28

a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer near the extremes

Question 29

Statistical Significance

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Culture

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Informed Consent

Answer 31

an ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Question 32

Debriefing

Answer 32

the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Question 33

Sample

Answer 33

items selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population

Question 34

Range

Answer 34

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 35

Inferential Statistics

Answer 35

numerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance

Question 36

Placebo

Answer 36

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 agent.

Question 37

Kenneth and Mamie Clark

Answer 37

Used dolls to study children’s attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.

Question 38

Daniel Kahneman

Answer 38

an Israeli psychologist and Nobel laureate, who is notable for his work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making, behavioral economics and hedonistic psychology.

Question 39

James Randi

Answer 39

magician exemplifies skepticism. He has tested and debunked a variety of psychic phenomena

Question 40

Amos Tversky

Answer 40

A key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias