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Variables. Flashcards

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1
Q

What are variables?

A

Anything that varies/changes and can be measured.

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2
Q

An identified event which changes in value, either within one person over ______ or between ______ in a society is known as a _______.

A

Time, Individuals, Variable.

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3
Q

Give an example of a numerical variable.

A

Height, weight etc.

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4
Q

Often variables are numerical but some variables are _______.

A

Categorical.

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5
Q

What is meant by a categorical variable?

A

Where values are given names, not numerical values.

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6
Q

Some variables such as height are easy to ______.

A

Measure.

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7
Q

Give an example of a variable that may be more difficult to measure directly.

A

Anxiety.

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8
Q

In psychology, what do we treat concepts like intelligence, anxiety or attitude as?

A

As Hypothetical Constructs.

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9
Q

What is a hypothetical construct?

A

A Hypothetical Construct is assumed to exist as a factor which explains observable phenomena. Eg. did well on task because they are intelligent.

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10
Q

Although we can see the physical signs of anxiety, what is it hard to do?

A

Its hard to actually measure anxiety.

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11
Q

In order to measure anxiety, we need to do so indirectly, so what must we do?

A

Set up an Operational Definition of anxiety.

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12
Q

What does an Operational Definition do?

A

It states how we are going to measure a variable.

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13
Q

In setting up an Operational definition of anxiety, what measurements may be used?

A
  • Self report eg. questionnaire
  • Physiological Measure eg. sweat on hands
  • Observation eg. tick off signs against list of criteria.
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14
Q

What is an Operational Definition?

A

An operational definition of an event or phenomenon is when something is defined in terms of the procedures required to measure it.

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15
Q

In , we need to state the definition of the variable in exact terms of how we are going to measure it. What is this known as?

A

An Operational Definition.

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16
Q

What will a good Operational Definition allow?

A
  • To agree or compare with others’ measurements

- To allow replication of the experiment.

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17
Q

The measurement of a variable must be ______ in an experiment.

A

Systematic.

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18
Q

When can an operational definition not measure all aspects of a phenomena?

A

When measuring hypothetical constructs eg. intelligence/ anxiety.

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19
Q

What can give us a reasonably valid method of measuring some part of a hypothetical construct?

A

An Operational Definition.

20
Q

We need an Operational Definition to state exactly what we are counting as a _____ of the construct.

A

Measure.

21
Q

What is the essence of scientific research (in terms of variables)?

A

To relate changes in one variable to changes in another variable.

22
Q

Variables are the basis of ___________.

A

Experimentation.

23
Q

Why do we need to have effective selection and manipulation of variables?

A

In order to be able to make confident assertions about the results.

24
Q

In experiments psychologists ask about the _____ between variables.

A

Relationship.

25
Q

What do psychologists investigate (in terms of variables)?

A

The effect of one variable upon another.

26
Q

What are the two types of variables?

A

Independent Variables and Dependent Variables.

27
Q

What is the independent variable?

A

The variable that causes the changes observed by the experimenter.

28
Q

Define what is meant by Dependent Variable.

A

The dependent variable is affected by the independent variable.

29
Q

The ____ variable is the thing that we change, whereas the ______ variable is the thing we measure (as a result of the change).

A

Independent, Dependent.

30
Q

What is the Fundamental Process of scientific research?

A

To relate the Independent Variable to the dependent variable,holding all other relevant variables constant while the Independent Variable Changes.

31
Q

What do we start off an experiment with?

A

A prediction (hypothesis) that changing the IV will have a particular effect on the DV.

32
Q

If the dependent variable is affected by the independent variable, what is the experiment said to be?

A

A Success.

33
Q

If there are 2 different values for the IV (eg. Learning by rehearsal or learning by imagery- both come under the mode of learning), what is this known as?

A

The Levels of the IV.

34
Q

Identify the IV and DV in the following example:

-The influence of music (present or not) on productivity rates in an office.

A 
IV= Presence/Absence of music (levels of IV)
DV = Productivity rates.
35
Q

What is an Extraneous Variable?

A

Any Variable other than the IV which might have an effect on the DV measured.

36
Q

What variables must we control in order to make a confident assertion that it was the IV that affected the DV?

A

We must control the extraneous variables by keeping them constant.

37
Q

In order for a reliable experiment, we must keep the extraneous variables _____ throughout the experiment.

A

Constant.

38
Q

If the effects of extraneous variables are not controlled, what can we not state?

A

We cannot state that it was the changes in the IV that affected the DV.

39
Q

______ variables- is when extraneous variables influence confounds(confuses) the proper interpretation of the results.

A

Confounding.

40
Q

We tend to think of _____ variables in advance when setting up and experiment.

A

Confounding.

41
Q

What is an extraneous variable isn’t controlled and impacts the results what could we call this?

A

A confounding variable.

42
Q

Name this-

A variable other than the IV which might have an affect on the DV.

A

An Extraneous Variable.

43
Q

To compare conditions fairly we want to control the effects of all ______ variables apart from the __________.

A

Extraneous, Independent Variable .

44
Q

In an experiment we must eliminate any potential ___________.

A

Confounds.

45
Q

In some cases an extraneous variable could operate in what manner? (eg. may get better at task due to practice) What must be done?

A

A systematic Manner.

Experiment should be designed to remove the systematic effect.

Psychology (24 decks)

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