Flashcards in Behavioral Research Deck (28)
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1
Constitutive definition
Defines a construct using other constructs (e.g weight is the heaviness of an object)
2
Operational definition
Assigns meaning to a construct or variable by specifying activities or operations necessary to measure it and evaluate measurement
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Two kinds of operational definitions
1. Measured
2. Experimental
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Measured operational definition
Describes how a variable will be measured
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Experimental operational definition
Spells out details of investigator's manipulations
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Orthogonal axes
Two axes at right angle to each other
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Abscissa
X axis
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Ordinate
Y axis
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Stimulus variable
Any condition or manipulation by the experiment of the environment that evokes a response in an organism.
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Response variable
Any kind of behavior of the organism. For any behavior, there is a stimulus, so the behavior is the response.
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R = f(O,S)
Responses are a function of the organism and stimuli. OR Response variables are a function of organismic variables and stimulus variables.
12
Organismic variable
Any property of an individual, any characteristic or attribute. Another name for attribute variable or subject-characteristic variable
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Polytomy
A division of the members of a group into 3 or more subdivisions.
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Polytomy
A division of the members of a group into 3 or more subdivisions.
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Concept
An expression of an abstraction formed from generalization of particulars
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Construct
A concept that has been formulated so that it can be used in science, defined that it can be observed and measured.
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Variable
A property that can take on different values. A symbol to which values are assigned.
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Constructs and words can be defined by
A. Other words or concepts.
B. Description of an implicit or explicit action or behavior
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Active variable
Defined by manipulation. The experimenter has control over how the values change.
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Attributive variable
Measured and cannot be manipulated. The experimenter has no control over the values of the variable.
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Continuous variable
Capable of taking on an ordered set of values within a certain range.
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Categorical variable
Can be assigned to a subclass or subset. Subclasses are distinct and non-overlapping. All objects put into the same category are considered to have the same characteristics.
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Latent variable
Unobservable entities assumed to underlie observed variables
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Intervening variables
Constructs that account for internal unobservable psychological processes that account for behavior. It cannot be seen but inferred from behavior.
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Theory
1. An abstraction, not reality. Best available explanation of a phenomenon at some point in time. Not static. Disprovable but not provable.
2. A set of propositions defined by interrelated constructs.
3. Outlines the nature of those interrelations (directional, moderation, etc.)
4. Explains phenomenon (if we can explain it, we can predict it.)
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Science
Systematic, planned, controlled, empirical, critical investigation into phenomenon guided by hypothesis and theories about relation between constructs. Ideally, it is a self-correcting, evolutionary process.
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Is psychology inductive or deductive?
Inductive. We don't have laws. Build to broader, general theories.
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