chapter 1 pt 2

Question 1

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Answer 1

hindsight bias

Question 2

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Answer 2

theory

Question 3

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 3

hypothesis

Question 4

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study

Answer 4

operational definition

Question 5

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Answer 5

replication

Question 6

a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Answer 6

case study

Question 7

a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Answer 7

naturalistic observation

Question 8

a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Answer 8

sampling bias

Question 9

all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Answer 9

population

Question 10

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

Answer 10

random simple

Question 11

a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Answer 11

correlation

Question 12

a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Answer 12

correlation coefficient

Question 13

anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Answer 13

variable

Question 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 the variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation.

Answer 14

scatterplot

Question 15

perception of a relationship where none exists, or perception of a stronger relationship than actually exists

Answer 15

illusory correlation

Question 16

the tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back (regress) toward their average.

Answer 16

regression toward the mean

Question 17

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Answer 17

experiment

Question 18

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

Answer 18

experimental group

Question 19

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

Answer 19

control group

Question 20

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

Answer 20

random assignment

Question 21

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 a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 21

double blind procedure

Question 22

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.

Answer 22

placebo

Question 23

in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Answer 23

independent variable

Question 24

a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results

Answer 24

confounding variable

Question 25

in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Answer 25

dependent variable

Question 26

the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Answer 26

validity

Question 27

giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Answer 27

informed consent

Question 28

the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Answer 28

debriefing

Question 29

numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.

Answer 29

descriptive status

Question 30

a bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Answer 30

histogram

Question 31

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Answer 31

mode

Question 32

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

Answer 32

mean

Question 33

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

Answer 33

median

Question 34

a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Answer 34

skewed distribution

Question 35

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Answer 35

range

Question 36

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Answer 36

standard deviation

Question 37

the symmetrical bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many physical and psychological attributes. Most scores fall near the average, and fewer and fewer scores lie near the extremes.

Answer 37

normal curve

Question 38

numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Answer 38

inferential status

Question 39

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

Answer 39

statistical significance