Unit Two Flashcards
Critical thinking
Smart thinking which examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluate evidence, and asses conclusions.
Hindsight bias
The tendency to believe after learning an outcome that one would have foreseen it
Theory
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.
Hypothesis
Testable predictions From a theory
Operational definition
Describes concepts with precise procedures or measures
Case study
Observation technique in which one individual is examined in depth in hopes of revealing things true of us
Naturalistic observation
Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
Correlation coefficient
Helps us figure out how closely two things are together (measure of the strength of the relationship) range is from +1 to -1
Scatterplots
A graph illustrating the possible correlations which represents the values of two variables.
Illusory correlation
When we believe there’s a relationship between two things, we notice and recall things that confirms our belief
Random assignment
Assigning people by chance, minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups
Double-blind perception
An experiment where neither participants nor the research assistants collecting the data will know which groups is receiving the treatment.
Placebo
Participants expectations that the treatment will cause the hypothesized effect ( placebo pills)
Control group
In an experiment the group that is not exposed to the treatment.
Confounding variable
A factor other than the independent variable that Might produce and effect in the experiment
Standard deviation
A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Normal curve
A symmetrical bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data
Statistical significance
A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurs by chance
Informed consent
An ethical principal that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
Debriefing
The post experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions to its participants.
Independent variable
Whatever is being changed. The “cause”. Brings out the change
Dependent variable
the “effect”. Whatever is being measured
