Chapter 1

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)

Question 2

Critical thinking

Answer 2

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behavior or events.

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A testable prediction, often implied by theory

Question 5

Operational definition

Answer 5

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. for example, human intelligence maybe operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 6

Replication

Answer 6

Repeating dozens of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic training expense other participants and circumstances.

Question 7

Case study

Answer 7

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 8

Survey

Answer 8

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Question 9

Population

Answer 9

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn. (Note except for national studies, this does not refer to the country’s whole population)

Question 10

Random sample

Answer 10

A sample that truly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Question 11

Naturalistic observation

Answer 11

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

In measure of the extent to which two factors very together and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Question 13

Correlation coefficient

Answer 13

Statistical index of the relationship between two things (from –1+1)

Question 14

Scatterplots

Answer 14

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between two variables. The amount of scatter suggest the strength of the correlation (a little matter indicates high correlation) it can be positive or negative

Question 15

Illusory correlation

Answer 15

The perception of relationship where none exists

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

A research (in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable) by random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors

Question 17

Random assignment

Answer 17

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, that’s minimizing pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups a class divided (blue eyes and brown eyes)

Question 18

Double – blind procedure

Answer 18

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or if placebo. Commonly used in drug – evaluation studies.

Question 19

Placebo effect

Answer 19

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent

Question 20

Experimental group

Answer 20

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Question 21

Control group

Answer 21

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrast with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Question 22

Independent variable

Answer 22

The experimental factor that is manipulated; variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 23

Dependent variable

Answer 23

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

Question 24

Mode

Answer 24

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Question 25

Mean

Answer 25

The arithmetic average of the distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

Question 26

Median

Answer 26

The middle score in a distribution half the scores are above it and half are below it

Question 27

Range

Answer 27

The difference between the highest and the lowest scores in a distribution

Question 28

Standard deviation

Answer 28

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the score

Question 29

Normal curve

Answer 29

(normal distribution) asymmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Question 30

Statistical significance

Answer 30

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Question 31

Culture

Answer 31

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next