Chapter #2: Methods in Psychology

Question 1

what is answered by methods of observation?

Answer 1

What do people do?

Question 2

what is answered by methods of explanation?

Answer 2

Why do they do it?

Question 3

how are “what people do “measured?

Answer 3

observing and measuring what people do

Question 4

how are “why people do things” explained?

Answer 4

looking for relationships between things that are measured

Question 5

Dogmatikos (belief)

Answer 5

the tendency to cling to assumptions

Question 6

Emperikos (experience)

Answer 6

acquiring knowledge through observation/experience. Study and observe in order to acquire knowledge

Question 7

Scientific Method

Answer 7

Procedure of using empirical evidence to establish facts

1) develop theories
2) derive hypothesis
3) test hypothesis
4) use evidence to modify theories

Question 8

What are the empirical challenges of people?

Answer 8

1) complexity -1 00 billion interconnected neurons contribute to thoughts/feelings/actions
2) variability - no two individuals are the same
3) reactivity - people respond different when they know they are being observed

Question 9

Operational Definition

Answer 9

DESCRIPTION of a property in measurable terms

Question 10

Construct Validity

Answer 10

The extent to which the thing being measured adequately characterizes the property (eg. # on scale good indication of weight?)

Question 11

Demand Characteristics

Answer 11

Aspects of an observational setting causing an individual to behave differently

Question 12

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 12

Gaining scientific information by unobtrusively observing people in the natural environment

Question 13

People are less likely to be influenced when…

Answer 13

1) They cannot be identified
2) They do not know how they should behave
3) COVER STUDIES: Misleading explanations
4) FILLER ITEMS: Pointless measures that are meant to mislead

Question 14

How can demand characteristics be avoided?

Answer 14

measuring behaviours that cannot easily be controlled

Question 15

What is a frequency distribution

Answer 15

counting the # of times something happens

Question 16

Descriptive statistics

Answer 16

1) Measures of central tendency

2) Measures of variability

Question 17

Mean

Answer 17

average value of all the measurements ( sum of all values/n where n is the number of observations)

Question 18

Mode

Answer 18

The value of the most frequently observed measurement

Question 19

Median

Answer 19

the value that is ordered middle (11 values greater than 6 and 11 values smaller than 6 makes 6 the median)

Question 20

Measures of Variability

Answer 20

1) Range

2) Standard Deviation

Question 21

Range

Answer 21

value of the largest measurement minus the smallest in a frequency distribution

Question 22

Standard Deviation

Answer 22

describes how each of the measurements in a frequency distribution compares to the mean

Question 23

Correlation

Answer 23

variations in the value of one variable are synchronized with variations in the value of another variable

Question 24

Does correlation mean causation?

Answer 24

no. correlation can provide information to help form predictions but does not = causation

Question 25

Why does correlation only tell us about a relationship? (does not provide a clear why)

Answer 25

The third variable problem

Question 26

Third Variable Problem

Answer 26

natural correlation between two variables cannot be taken as evidence of a relationship because a third variable could exist that causes them both. (eg. shark attacks go up as ice cream sales go up.. third variable= summertime)

Question 27

Experiment

Answer 27

technique for establishing the causal relationship between variables; goal to eliminate differences between groups.

Question 28

How is a experiment possible?

Answer 28

through manipulation

Question 29

Manipulation

Answer 29

Technique for determining the causal power of a variable by actually changing its value

Question 30

What are the experimental steps?

Answer 30

1) Manipulate 2) Measure 3) Compare

Question 31

What does it mean to manipulate in terms of the experimental steps?

Answer 31

1) Independent variable = manipulated variable 2) Experimental group = group exposed to manipulation 3) Control group= group NOT exposed to manipulation

Question 32

What does it mean to measure in terms of the experimental steps?

Answer 32

1) Measure the dependent variable or the variable that depends on the independent variable

Question 33

What does it mean to compare in terms of the experimental steps?

Answer 33

1) Compare the value of the variable in one condition with the value of the variable in the other condition. If the values differ on average we know there is a relationship between the IV and DV

Question 34

What do experiments allow for?

Answer 34

the manipulation of variables in a controlled setting which eliminates any third variable that may be present

Question 35

Random Assignment

Answer 35

procedure that assigns participants to given condition on chance

Question 36

Type 1 Error

Answer 36

a false positive; researchers conclude there is relationship when there is not

Question 37

Tye 2 Error

Answer 37

a false negative; researchers conclude there is no relationship when there really is

Question 38

Replication

Answer 38

using the same procedures as a previous experiment but with a new sample from the same population. (increases confidence in a relationship)

Question 39

Why should psychologists worry if their replicability is too high or too low?

Answer 39

it is bad if a study is too replicable because it may be common knowledge and it is bad if it isn't replicable because then it is a less valid relationship.

Question 40

What are the human tendencies when thinking about evidence?

Answer 40

1) The tendency to see the expected, or what is desired | 2) The tendency to ignore what cannot be seen

Question 41

What are the rules for thinking critically about evidence?

Answer 41

1) Doubt your own conclusions | 2) Consider what you may not see

Question 42

What are the three Tri-Council Policy Statements?

Answer 42

1) Respect for Persons 2) Show concern for welfare 3) Research should be just

Question 43

What does "Respect for persons" mean in ethical research?

Answer 43

the right to make decisions for and about themselves without undue influence or coercion. (individual is given information and allowed to make decision)

Question 44

What does "show concern for welfare" mean in ethical research?

Answer 44

do as much as possible to assess, but with as little risks as possible

Question 45

What does "research should be just" mean in ethical research?

Answer 45

distribute risks/benefits equally without prejudice to groups or individuals; do not single out groups.

Question 46

what is a risk-benefit analysis?

Answer 46

an analysis carried out by a researcher/research team ensuring no large risks, and that risks are justified

Question 47

What is required when deception is used in psychological research?

Answer 47

providing detailed reasoning and justification when research is used

Question 48

What is debriefing in psychological research

Answer 48

a description of the true purpose/nature of the study

Question 49

What is confidentiality in psychological research

Answer 49

information that is obtained during research must remain anonymous and confidential

Question 50

How can truth be respected?

Answer 50

1) report truthfully what was done and found 2) do not fabricate or adjust results 3) do not fail to report information in a study 4) you are obligated to share data