Chapter 2

Question 0

Critical thinking

Answer 0

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

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 4

Operational definition

Answer 4

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study

Question 5

Replication

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Case study

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Naturalistic observation

Answer 7

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

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

Sampling bias

Answer 9

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

All those in a group being studies, from with samples may be drawn

Question 11

Random sample

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other

Question 13

Correlation coefficient

Answer 13

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables

Question 14

Scatter plot

Answer 14

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the value of two variables

Question 15

Illusory correlation

Answer 15

The perception of a relationship where none exists

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)

Question 17

Control group

Answer 17

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment

Question 18

Experimental group

Answer 18

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment

Question 19

Random assignment

Answer 19

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing précis sting difference between the different groups

Question 20

Double-blind procedure

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Placebo effect

Answer 21

Experimental results caused by expectations alone

Question 22

Independent variable

Answer 22

The experimental factor that is manipulated

Question 23

Confounding variable

Answer 23

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

Question 24

Dependent variable

Answer 24

The outcome factor; the variable that may change is repose to manipulation a of the independent variable

Question 25

Validity

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Descriptive statistics

Answer 26

Numeric data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups

Question 27

Histogram

Answer 27

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Question 28

Mode

Answer 28

The most frequently occurring scores in a distribution

Question 29

Mean

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Median

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Skewed distribution

Answer 31

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Question 32

Range

Answer 32

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 33

Standard deviation

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Normal curve

Answer 34

A symmetric, bell-shaped curve that the distribution of data; most scores fall near the mean (about 68% fall within one standard deviation) and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Question 35

Inferential statistics

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Statistical significance

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Culture

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Informed consent

Answer 38

an ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to chose whether they wish to participate

Question 39

Debriefing

Answer 39

The postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants