Chapter 1&2

Question 1

Empirical research vs anecdotal evidence

Answer 1

empirical research - based on observations not intuition or thinking where anecdotal evidence is basically hearsay. Stories or reviews from others.

Question 2

5 Scientific Investigation steps

Answer 2

Formulate testable hypothesis, design a study, collect data, analyze data, report the findings

Question 3

Different studies in psychology

Answer 3

Naturalistic observations, case studies, surveys

Question 4

Ways data is collected in psychology

Answer 4

Direct observation, questionnaires, interviews, psych testing, psych/neural recording, examining archival records

Question 5

Observational research

Answer 5

Research based off of only behaviors that can be observed. Usually dont intervene with subjects and usually unfolds in a natural environment

Question 6

Experimental research

Answer 6

Involves variables and most of the time the independent variable is manipulated in some way with one or more groups of subjects to gather data. Allows to see cause - effect relationships

Question 7

Features of an experimental study

Answer 7

An experimental group (sometimes more than one) and control group. Usually experimental group is manipulated in some way before testing to see if it affects results compared to the control group. Data is compared and a conclusion is drawn based off of this.

Question 8

Role of random assignment and manipulation of independent variable in such research

Answer 8

Random assignment gives fair opportunity for people to be assigned to either group or condition in a study. Variables being manipulated help show if there are any correlations or patterns shown between groups or even sometimes multiple variables.

Question 9

between-subjects and within-subjects

Answer 9

Within-subject design has only one group. Participants serve as their own control group and testing is done with the same people.

Between-subject design is when two or more independent groups are exposed to the manipulation of an independent variable. Comparisons are made between two different groups of subjects

Question 10

why is statistical analysis often used to analyze data

Answer 10

Statistical analysis allows researchers to draw conclusions based on their observations and show us patterns and correlations between different variables and under different circumstances

Question 11

What kind of error in reasoning is statistical analysis designed to minimize?

Answer 11

any type of bias or chance throwing off data or results

Question 12

Sampling bias

Answer 12

when the sample is not representative of its population

Question 13

Extraneous variables

Answer 13

Any variables other than the independent variable that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study

Question 14

Social desirability

Answer 14

Answering questions in a socially acceptable way

Question 15

response sets

Answer 15

tendency to answer questions in a way unrelated to conten

Question 16

Halo effects

Answer 16

when someone’s overall image of a person, object, or institution influences more specific ratings

Question 17

experimenter bias

Answer 17

When researcher’s expectations or what they ‘want’ the outcome of the study to be, influences the study results obtained

Question 18

sampling bias

Answer 18

Sample is not representative of population where it was drawn

Question 19

etymology of psychology (psyche + logos)

Answer 19

Greek words psyche + logos referring to soul spirit or mind as distinguished from the body. early 18th century became more known as study of the mind

Question 20

Define psychology

Answer 20

Psychology is the study and observation of humans and the way our minds work

Question 21

history of psychology from late 19th century until today

Answer 21

Philosophy and physiology influenced course of early psychology.

Late 1800s emerged as strict discipline Wilhelm Wundt first research lab.

psychology ‘birth date’ 1879

Question 22

functionalism vs structuralism

Answer 22

functionalism believes psych should investigate function or purpose of consciousness instead of structure

structuralism believes purpose is to break down consciousness into basic elements and investigate correlations

Question 23

psychology as discipline vs professional field

Answer 23

Psychology as a discipline has to do with professors, research, government labs

psychology as a professional field is clinical, schools, forensic and is based on practical application

Question 24

main research areas in psychology

Answer 24

developmental, social, experimental, behavioral, cognitive, personality, psychometrics, educational, health, evolutionary, positive

Question 25

main professional specialties of psychology

Answer 25

clinical, counselling, educational/school, industrial and organizational

Question 26

main themes of psychology

Answer 26

research - empiricism, multiple theories (theoretically diverse), evolves in sociohistorical context of research phenomena - behavior determined by multiple causes, effect of culture on behavior, nature vs nurture (heredity vs environment), subjectivity of experience