Chapter 2- RM

Question 1

What is Basic Research?

Answer 1

designed to find out why people behave the way they do

Question 2

Basic research is conducted purely for reasons of —-

Answer 2

intellectual curiosity

(how does cognition affect xy? What is the neuroscience behind this? which personality type is more susceptible to…?)

Question 3

What is applied research?

Answer 3

involves studies designated to solve a particular SOCIAL PROBLEM; building a theory of behaviour is usually SECONDARY to solving the problem
(How can we use humor as a treatment therapy?)

Question 4

what are the three methods used to study social problems?

Answer 4

1. Observational methods
2. Correlational methods
3. Experimental methods

Question 5

for each method used to study social problems, what is their respective focus?

Answer 5

1. observational = description
2. Correlational = description
3. Experimental = causality

Question 6

for each method used to study social problems, what is their respective question answered?

Answer 6

1. observational = What is the nature of the phenomenon
2. Correlational = what is the relation between variable x and variable y
3. Experimental = is variable x the cause of variable y

Question 7

What is the observational method?

Answer 7

a technique whereby a researcher observes people and systematically records measurements of their behavior.

Question 8

Are observations analyzed qualitatively or quantitatively? (or both)

Answer 8

both

Question 9

what are examples of observational methods? (4)

Answer 9

-case studies
-ethnographies
-archival analyses
-non-conscious research

Question 10

What is an archival analysis?

Answer 10

an examination of the accumulated documents or archives of a culture, such as diaries. novels, magazines, and newspapers.

powerful method because it provides a unique look at the values of a culture.

Question 11

1. what is the non-conscious research/subconscious research?
2. name an example

Answer 11

-An examination of subconscious patterns of thought that are involuntary or nonconscious, such as when studying prejudicial attitudes people may be unaware of or embarrassed by.
- priming effect: context helps us judge and make a decision

Question 12

what is the correlational method?

Answer 12

a technique whereby researchers systematically measure 2 or more variables and assess the associative relation between them. expressed as a correlation coefficient.

Question 13

what is a major limitation of the correlational method?

Answer 13

correlations do NOT tell us a causal direction of the relationship; only if the variables are RELATED.

Question 14

what is the experimental method?

Answer 14

the researcher randomly assigns participants to different conditions and ensures that these conditions are identical EXCEPT for the independent variable.

MUST have 2 groups being compared.

Question 15

what is the IV?

Answer 15

variable that researchers change to see if it has an effect on some other variable.

Question 16

what is the DV?

Answer 16

variable researchers measure to see if it is influenced by the IV.

Question 17

What are the limitations of the experimental method?

Answer 17

maintaining a good balance of internal and external validity.
(internal = ensure to isolate the IV so that it actually causes the DV)
(external = that the study reflects what happens irl)
however, the more realistic the study is, the less control we have in choosing the IV and DV.

Question 18

what are required for ethical issues in social psychology?

Answer 18

-informed consent
-deception
-confederates
-debriefing session