Class 1

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

an explanation or model of how a phenomenon works, used to explain prior observations and make predictions

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

a specific, testable prediction, narrower than the theory on which it is based

Question 3

Variable

Answer 3

measurable conditions, events, characteristics, or behaviors that are controlled or observed in a study

Question 4

Operational definition

Answer 4

A description of a property (variable) in concrete, measureable terms

Question 5

Validity

Answer 5

the degree to which a measure assesses what it claims to assess

Question 6

reliability

Answer 6

the degree to which a tool produces the same measurement when used to measure the same thing

Question 7

correlation

Answer 7

the degree to which two variables are related to each other. represented by r

Question 8

r= 1
r= 0
r=-1

Answer 8

1 perfect positive correlation
0 no relationship between variables
-1 perfect negative correlation

Question 9

population

Answer 9

the complete collection of possible participants; those to whom your results apply

Question 10

sample

Answer 10

the specific group of individuals selected for observation/participation in a study

Question 11

independent variable

Answer 11

variable that is manipulated by the experimented

Question 12

dependent variable

Answer 12

a variable that is measured by the experimenter

Question 13

empiricism

Answer 13

belief that best way to understand world is to observe it

Question 14

observation (in a scientific context)

Answer 14

1. making theory that gives rise to falsifiable hypothesis

2. making observations that test the hypothesis

Question 15

double blind observations

Answer 15

eliminating observer and participant bias

Question 16

natural correlation

Answer 16

correlations observed in the world around us (ex: sex and pregnancy)

Question 17

third variable correlation

Answer 17

two variables are correlated because each is causally related to a third variable

Question 18

matched samples technique

Answer 18

participants in two groups are identical in terms of a third variable

Question 19

matched pairs technique

Answer 19

each participant is identical to one another participant in terms of a third variable

Question 20

internal validity

Answer 20

attribute of experiment that allows it to establish causal relationships

Question 21

external validity

Answer 21

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

Question 22

case method

Answer 22

procedure for gathering scientific information by studying a single individual

Question 23

direct replication

Answer 23

experiment that uses the same procedures as a previous experiment but with a new sample

Question 24

goals of psyc

Answer 24

describe, predict, explain, control

Question 25

operational definition

Answer 25

detailed defintion of a variable