Unit 2 Research Methods: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science

Question 0

Critical thinking

Answer 0

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

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Question 4

Operational definition

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Replication

Answer 5

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 6

Case study

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Survey

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Population

Answer 8

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn. (Note: Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country’s whole population.)

Question 9

Random sample

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Naturalistic observation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Correlation

Answer 11

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well each factor predicts the other.

Question 12

Correlation coefficient

Answer 12

A statistical index of the relationship between two thing (from -1 to +1).

Question 13

Scatterplot

Answer 13

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 (little scatter indicates high correlation).

Question 14

Illusory correlation

Answer 14

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

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 factors.

Question 16

Random assignment

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Double-blind procedure

Answer 17

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 a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Question 18

Placebo effect

Answer 18

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 19

Experimental group

Answer 19

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 effects of the treatment.

Question 20

Independent variable

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Confounding variable

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Dependent variable

Answer 22

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 23

Mean

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Median

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Range

Answer 25

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Question 26

Standard deviation

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Normal curve

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Statistical significance

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Culture

Answer 29

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