Chapter 1

Question 1

conceptual definitions

Answer 1

The concept of the hypothesis that tells you precisely what it means

Question 2

a priori predictions

Answer 2

Predictions about the outcome of an investigation that are made before the data are collected.

Question 3

applied value

Answer 3

Criterion or standard for judging the scientific worth of a theory: An adequate theory is capable of providing creative solutions to problems that are of interest and concern to people.

Question 4

case study

Answer 4

Research technique involving the intensive study of a single person over a long period of time in order to understand his or her unique behavior.

Question 5

comprehensiveness

Answer 5

Criterion for judging the worth of a scientific theory: Theories are judged as more adequate and useful if they encompass and account for a wide range and variety of phenomena.

Question 6

control group

Answer 6

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the experimental treatment. A control group is designed to provide baseline data against which the effects of the experimental manipulation on the dependent variable can be accurately judged.

Question 7

correlation coefficient

Answer 7

A numerical index of the size and direction of an association between two variables.

Question 8

correlational method

Answer 8

General procedure for establishing an association or relationship between events. Statistics involving correlations can vary in complexity from simple correlation coefficients to complicated factor analyses.

Question 9

cortisol

Answer 9

An adrenal-cortex hormone that is generated by any kind of physical or psychological stress. Higher cortisol levels are indicators of greater stress.

Question 10

debriefing

Answer 10

Informing study participants of the true nature and purpose of a study after it is completed.

Question 11

deductive theories

Answer 11

Theories in which specific hypotheses are derived from abstract propositions and then tested by the collection of data.

Question 12

dependent variables

Answer 12

Changes in behavior that occur as a result of the manipulation of conditions by an experimenter.

Question 13

empirical evidence

Answer 13

Observations of phenomena made by investigators.

Question 14

empirical validity

Answer 14

Criterion for judging the worth of a scientific theory: Does the data support the hypothesis? If yes, it supports to the theory; if not, especially repeatedly repeated, tends eventually to decrease confidence in the theory.

Question 15

experimental group

Answer 15

The group of study participants who experience the intentional alteration of factors in an experiment.

Question 16

experimental method

Answer 16

Scientific method for studying cause-and-effect relationships between variables. It involves the manipulation of independent variables and observation of the effects of the manipulation on dependent variables.

Question 17

heuristic value

Answer 17

Criterion for judging the scientific worth of a theory: An adequate theory should be challenging; it should stimulate new ideas and new research.

Question 18

hypotheses

Answer 18

Tentative theoretical statements about how events are related to one another, often stated as predictions about how the operation of one set of events will affect the operation of others.

Question 19

independent variables

Answer 19

The variables actively manipulated by the experimenter so that their effects on individual behavior can be observed.

Question 20

inductive theories

Answer 20

Generalizations or summary statements about phenomena derived from a set of facts.

Question 21

informed consent

Answer 21

The practice of telling study participants about the nature of their participation in a proposed experiment and then obtaining their written agreement to participate.

Question 22

law of effect

Answer 22

The principle that a behavior becomes more likely when it is followed by a positive reinforcer or the removal of a negative stimulus, whereas it becomes less likely when it is followed by a punisher or the removal of a positive reinforcer.

Question 23

laws

Answer 23

Systematic and highly reliable associations between variables.

Question 24

longitudinal studies

Answer 24

Studies in which data are collected on the same individuals over time so that investigators can determine the direction and extent of changes in their behavior.

Question 25

multiple correlation

Answer 25

Statistical technique by which it is possible to determine the relationship between one variable and a combination of two or more other variables simultaneously.

Question 26

operational definitions

Answer 26

How an operation or construct is defined. How to measure a concept

Question 27

parsimony

Answer 27

Criterion for judging the scientific worth of a theory: An adequate theory should be as parsimonious, or economical, as possible, while still adequately accounting for the phenomena in its domain.

Question 28

partial correlation

Answer 28

A correlational technique that allows an investigator to assess the relationship between two events by eliminating, or partialing out, the influence of other variables.

Question 29

personality

Answer 29

The term used by personality psychologists to describe the uniqueness of the individual. Personality involves judgments regarding who the person truly is and how she or he differs from other people. Particular biological tendencies and social and cultural learning experiences combine to determine the person’s uniqueness.

Question 30

post hoc explanation

Answer 30

Explanation of a phenomenon given after its occurrence. The explanation presumes that certain factors caused the phenomenon, but there is no evidence that they actually did so.

Question 31

postulates

Answer 31

Fundamental or core assumptions of a theory. They are taken as self-evidently true in order to provide a clear and focused direction for theorizing and research. They specify which phenomena will be addressed by the theory and which won’t be addressed.

Question 32

precision

Answer 32

Criterion for judging the scientific worth of a theory: An adequate theory should contain constructs and relational statements that are clearly and explicitly stated and measured.

Question 33

propositions

Answer 33

General statements that may be true or false. They are not tested directly; instead, hypotheses are derived from them.

Question 34

psychological construct

Answer 34

A highly complex abstraction that encompasses a variety of components or dimensions. For example, intelligence is a construct that encompasses reasoning ability, spatial ability, mechanical ability, mathematical ability, and so forth.

Question 35

relational statements

Answer 35

Theories or hypotheses that link or relate constructs. For example, the constructs of frustration and aggression might be linked as follows: Increases in frustration lead to increases in aggressive behavior.

Question 36

replication

Answer 36

Duplication or repetition of an experiment or study to determine whether or not the original findings are reliable.

Question 37

self-affirmation theory

Answer 37

A theory which postulates that each of us strives to maintain a view of ourselves as morally adequate and that we respond to any threat to our self-integrity by trying to restore or reaffirm it.

Question 38

self-affirmation theory

Answer 38

A theory which postulates that each of us strives to maintain a view of ourselves as morally adequate and that we respond to any threat to our self-integrity by trying to restore or reaffirm it.

Question 39

statistical significance

Answer 39

A numerical index of the probability that a particular result occurred by chance.

Question 40

testability

Answer 40

Criterion for judging the scientific worth of a theory: An adequate theory must contain hypotheses that can be defined clearly, measured precisely, and confirmed or disconfirmed in terms of observable events.

Question 41

theory

Answer 41

A number of interrelated conceptual statements that are created by investigators to account for a phenomenon or a set of phenomena.

Question 42

Why Study Personality?

Answer 42

To study the differences in decisions and actions between ourselves and others. Why do people do what they do.
-To generate explanations for the behaviors we observe and possibly to control them.
-Also each titan had their own way of looking at personality differently

Question 43

What is science concerned with?

Answer 43

the description, explanation, prediction, and control of events to study problems encountered by humans to create systemized knowledge on the observation of phenomena.

Question 44

Major Propositions of Steels Self Affirmation theory

Answer 44

(1) Any cognitions, beliefs or information that challenges the integrity of the self and its moral/competence adequacy will arouse a defense to reaffirm the self and

(2) the defense can be reduced if the sense of threat is reduced

Question 45

Major Postulates of Steels Self Affirmation Theory

Answer 45

(1) Each of us has a unique self and

(2) our goal is to maintain this view of ourselves as morally adequate, good, stable, coherent and capable of good choices. Basically a positive sense of self.

(Id argue that people will also try to maintain a negative view of self in the case of mental illness)