CR_Ch. 4--Studying Behaviour

Question 1

confounding variable

Answer 1

An uncontrolled variable that is impossible to separate from a variable of interest. In an experiment, the experimental groups differ on both the independent variable and the confoudning variable, making conclusions about the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable impossible.

Question 2

correlation coefficient

Answer 2

An index of how strongly two varaibles are related to each other.

Question 3

curvilinear relationship

Answer 3

A relationship in which increases in the value of the first varaible is accompanied by both increases and decreases in the values of the second variable.

Question 4

dependent variable

Answer 4

The variable that is the participant’s response to, and dependent on, the level of the manipulated independent variable.

Question 5

experimental control

Answer 5

A feature of strong experimental designs. Occurs when only the precise independent variable varies across conditions; all other features of the experiment are the same across conditions.

Question 6

experimental method

Answer 6

A method of determining whether variables are related, in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable and controls all other variables either by randomization or by direct experimental control.

Question 7

field experiment

Answer 7

An experiment that is conducted in a natural setting rather than a laboratory setting.

Question 8

independent variable

Answer 8

The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 9

internal validity

Answer 9

The certainity with which the results of an experiment can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable, rather than to some other confounding variable.

Question 10

mediating variable

Answer 10

A psychological process that occurs between an event and a behavioural response.

Question 11

negative linear relationship

Answer 11

A relationship in which increases in the values of the first variable are accompanied by decreases in the values of the second varaible.

Question 12

non-experimental method (or correlational method)

Answer 12

Use of measurement of variables to determine whether variables are related to one another.

Question 13

operational definition

Answer 13

Definition of a concept that specifies the operation used to measure or manipulate the concept.

Question 14

participant variable

Answer 14

A term sometimes used that groups participants on some pre-existing characteristics (e.g., sex, ethnicity, etc.). It is often treated as an independent variable in experimental designs, despite the lack of random assignment.

Question 15

positive linear relationship

Answer 15

A relationship in which increases in the values of the first variable are accompanied by increases in the values of the second variable.

Question 16

random assignment

Answer 16

Controlling for the effects of extraneous variables by ensuring that participants in an experiment are assigned to a condition in a manner determined entirely by chance.

Question 17

response variable

Answer 17

Operational definitions that invlove recording participant’s reaction to some event (e.g., reaction time, attitudes, choice, action, etc.).

Question 18

situational variable

Answer 18

A characteristic of some event or environment (e.g., lighting conditions, a question’s wording, a confederate’s actions, etc.).

Question 19

third-variable

Answer 19

When describing the relationship between two variables, a third variable is any other variable that is extraneous to the two variables of interest. True experiments control for the possible influence of third variables.

Question 20

variable

Answer 20

Any event, situation, behaviour, or individual characteristic that varies–that is, has at least two values.