Introduction Flashcards
Hindsight bias
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)
Overconfidence
Thinking you know more then you do
Critical thinking
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusion. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
Intuition
An effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought, as contrasted with explicit, conscious reasoning
Theory
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
Hypothesis
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational definition
A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.
Replication
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants
Case study
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
Kinda like a prove this happened type thing
Naturalistic observation
A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation. Just watch and see what happens and record what happens
Survey
A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
Wording effects
The way questions are worded it primes people for thinking certain ways. So in surveys questions are carefully worded in order to not effect people into answering certain ways
Population
All those in a group being studied, from which staples may be drawn (except for national studies this is not referring to a country’s whole population)
Random sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion. Picking out of a hat
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and this of how well either factor predicts the other
Correlation coefficient
A statistical index of the relationship between two things (-1.00 to +1.00)
Scatter plot
A cluster of dots, each of which represents the value of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation
Regression towards the mean
The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) toward the average
Experiment
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent variables) by random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors
Experimental group
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control group
In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
Random assignment
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the two groups
Double-blind procedure
An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have reviewed the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies
Placebo effect
Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent
