Chapter 1 Flashcards

Psychological Theories and Research (36 cards)

1
Q

Scientific Method

A

Systematic procedure of observing and measuring phenomenon to answer questions about:
- what happens
- when it happens
- what causes it
- why
Involves interaction of theories, hypotheses, research methods

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2
Q

Steps in the scientific method

A
  1. Formulate theory
  2. Develop testable hypothesis
  3. Test with research method
  4. Analyze data
  5. Share results and conduct more research
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3
Q

Observational Studies

A

Descriptive method involves assessing and coding observable behavior
- Used in laboratory or natural environments

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4
Q

Self-reports

A

descriptive method involves obtaining self-reports from participants of research
- questionaries or surveys can be used
- Self-report bias MUST be considered

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5
Q

Case studies

A

Intensive examination of few unique people or organizations

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6
Q

Correlational Methods

A

Research method that examine how variables are naturally related in real world
- no attempts to alter the variables or assign causation

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7
Q

Experimental Methods

A

Research method that test causal hypotheses by independent variable being manipulated and measuring effects on dependent variable

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8
Q

Variable in Experiment

A

Dependent and Independent

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9
Q

Dependent Variable

A

affected by manipulation of independent variable

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10
Q

Independent Variable

A

experimenter manipulates to examine impact on dependent variable

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11
Q

Groups in experiment

A

Control and experimental group

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12
Q

Control Group

A

comparison group of participants who receive no intervention or one unrelated to independent variable being investigated

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13
Q

Experimental group

A

one or more treatment groups of participants who receive intervention of independent variable being investigated

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14
Q

Confound

A

anything that affects dependent variable and may unintentionally vary between study’s different experimental conditions

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15
Q

Random Sample

A

fairly represents population by allowing each member of population an equal chance of being included

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16
Q

Random Assignment

A

placing research participants in conditions of experiment such that each participant has equal chance of being assigned to any level of independent variable

17
Q

experimental method advantages

A
  • explains and change behavior
  • determine cause and effect relationships
  • clearer conclusions
18
Q

experimental methods disadvantages

A
  • doesn’t describes behavior and predict behavior
  • setting usually in artificial environment
  • sometimes impossible to to ethical, practical reasons
19
Q

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

A

groups of people responsible for reviewing proposed research to ensure it meets accepted standards of science and provides for physical and emotional well-being of participants

20
Q

Ethical guidlines

A

privacy
confidentiality
informed consent
protection from harm

21
Q

Privacy

A

researchers must respect participants’ privacy

22
Q

confidentiality

A

participants’ information must be kept secret

23
Q

informed consent

A

people must be told about research and can choose whether to participate

24
Q

protection from harm

A

researchers cannot ask participants to endure unreasonable pain or discomfort

25
Descriptive statistics
provides summary of studies results
26
central tendency (descriptive statistics)
group of descriptive statistics including the mean, median and mode, where one number represents the middle numerical responses in data set
27
Mean (Central Tendency)
arithmetic average of a set of numbers - EX: 10+11+19+15+7+9+11=82 - 82/7=11.714
28
Median (Central Tendency)
the value that falls exactly in the middle of data set EX: 15
29
Mode (Central Tendency)
most frequent score in data set EX: 11
30
Variability (descriptive statistics)
group of descriptive statistics, including the range and standard deviation, where one number represents the spread between numerical responses in data set
31
Range (Descriptive Statistics)
difference between largest and smallest value EX: 31 exam scores: top score 95/100, bottom score 52/100 RANGE: 95-52=43
32
Standard Deviation (descriptive statistics)
measurement which reflects how far away each value is, on average from the median
33
Correlation Coefficient
descriptive statistic that indicates direction (negative or positive) and strength (0 to 1) of relationship between two variables: taken together these results, the numbers range from +1 to 0 to -1
34
Negative correlation
change in opposite directions. as one variable increases the other decreases or vice versa EX: the more you exercise, the less you weigh
35
Positive correlation
change in the same direction. both increase or decrease together EX: the more you eat, the more you weigh
36
Strength
the closer the correlation coefficient is to 1 (either + or -), the stronger the relationship