Chapter 2: Methods in Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

Empiricism

A

Belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation

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2
Q

Scientific Method

A

Suggests the best way to learn is to develop theories, derive hypothesis from them and gather evidence to modify theories

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3
Q

Theory

A

an idea that explains or solves a problem

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4
Q

Hypothesis

A

A falsifiable prediction made by a theory

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5
Q

Empirical Method

A

Set of rules/techniques for observation

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6
Q

Observation

A

Use ones senses to learn about the event or object

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7
Q

Measurement requires two things:

A

Definition and Direction

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8
Q

Operational Definition

A

Description of a property in its concrete, measurable terms

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9
Q

Reliability

A

Tendency for an instrument to produce same measurement when used again and again

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10
Q

Power

A

An instruments ability to detect small magnitudes of the property

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11
Q

A good instrument requires two things:

A

power and ability

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12
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

aspects in an observational setting where people tend to behave as they think someone else wants or expects

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13
Q

Scientists avoid demand characteristics by using Naturalistic observation, which is:

A

Naturalistic Observation is a technique for observing people without causing attention

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14
Q

Allowing people to participate in an experiment anonymously and privately is called:

A

Privacy and Control

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15
Q

Experimental Technique “Unawareness” is:

A

Making sure the people being observed are unaware of the true purpose of the observation

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16
Q

Observer Bias

A

Expectations can influence observations and expectations can influence reality

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17
Q

When the true purpose of the observation is being hidden from the observer and the person being observed

A

Double-Blind Observation

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18
Q

Frequency Distribution

A

Shows every measurement and provides picture of those measurements

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19
Q

When the frequency of measurements is highest in the middle and decreases symmetrically in both directions

A

Normal Distribution

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20
Q

Central Tendency

A

facts about measurements that lie near the center or mid point of the frequency distribution

21
Q

Three common descriptions of central tendency:

A

Mode: value most frequently viewed, Mean: average value of all measurements, Median: value that is in the middle

22
Q

Range

A

Value of the largest measurement minus the value of the smallest measurement

23
Q

Standard Deviation

A

describes difference between measurements in a frequency distribution and the mean of that distribution

24
Q

Correlation

A

Strength between two variables

25
Q

Variables

A

Properties whose values can vary across individuals over time

26
Q

The direction of a correlation is either:

A

Positive or Negative

27
Q

A positive correlation is when two variables…

A

have a “more is more” or “less is less” relationship Ex: more sleep is correlated to more memory

28
Q

Perfect Negative Correlation (r=-1)

A

When the value of one variable increases by a fixed amount the value of the other decreases by a fixed amount

29
Q

If two variables are said to be uncorrelated, that means…

A

That every time the value of one variable increases by a fixed amount, the second variable neither increases or decreases systematically

30
Q

Natural Correlations

A

Correlations observed in the world around us (this tells us the variables are related but not what type of relationship)

31
Q

Third-variable Correlation

A

Two variables are correlated only because each is casually related to the third variable

32
Q

Matched Samples Technique

A

Technique where participants in two groups are identical in terms of variables

33
Q

Technique for establishing the casual relationship between variables

A

Experiment

34
Q

Experiments eliminate differences between groups by examining two key features

A

1)Manipulation, 2)Random Assignment

35
Q

Experimentation involves three steps

A

1) Manipulation- Variable that is being manipulated is called the independent variable because it is under control
2) Measuring the second variable- we measure the dependent variable because its value depends on what the participant says or does
3) We look to see if the manipulation of the independent variable produced changes in the dependent variable

36
Q

The participants who are exposed to a particular manipulation

A

Experimental Group

37
Q

Participants who are not exposed to the manipulation

A

Control Group

38
Q

Random Assignment

A

Procedure that lets us chance-assign participants to the control or experimental group (flip of a coin)

39
Q

Internal Validity

A

Attribute of an experiment that allows it to establish casual relationships. If we say an experiment is internally valid, it means it is working perfectly inside in order for us to draw conclusions

40
Q

External Validity

A

Attribute of an experiment in which variables have been defined in a normal, typical or realistic way

41
Q

Population

A

Complete collection of people

42
Q

Case Method Procedure

A

Gathering scientific information by studying a single individual

43
Q

Random Sampling

A

Selecting a sample of the population, this ensures that every member of a population has an equal chance of being included in the sample

44
Q

Ethical Principles of Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

A

1) informed consent
2) freedom from coercion
3) protection from harm
4) risk-benefit analysis
5) deception
6) debriefing
7) confidentiality

45
Q

Normal Distribution

A

Distribution where it is highest in the middle and decreases symmetrically both sides

46
Q

Mode

A

Value of the recurring frequency
EX: room of people aged 20-30 everyone is different ages except three people who are 21. This means the mode is 21 as its most frequent

47
Q

Median

A

Middle of an ordered data set.
EX: if we number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 would be the median because it is the middle data

48
Q

Mean

A

The average. All the scores added up and divided by the total number of scores