Methidds Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the trade-off in psychological studies?
Control versus realism.
What is a confounding variable?
A variable under study that is not the IV but varies systematically with the IV.
What does control refer to in research?
The extent to which any variable is held constant or regulated by a researcher.
Define external validity.
The degree to which a research finding can be generalised to other settings, groups of people, and over time.
What are extraneous variables?
Variables that do not vary systematically with the IV and may affect the DV.
What is internal validity?
The degree to which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation rather than other factors.
What does mundane realism refer to?
How a study mirrors the real world.
What is the definition of validity in research?
Whether an observed effect is accurate and meaningful.
In the described experiment, what was the independent variable (IV)?
Whether the TV was on or not.
In the described experiment, what was the dependent variable (DV)?
Participants’ score on the memory test.
What might happen if all participants in the ‘TV off’ group took the test in the morning?
Time of day could act as a confounding variable.
What are nuisance variables?
Extraneous variables that make it difficult to detect a significant effect.
What is the aim of psychological studies in terms of realism?
To provide information about how people behave in real life.
What is mundane realism?
The degree to which an experiment mirrors everyday experience.
Why might a study lack generalisability?
If the participants have unique characteristics that may not apply to the broader population.
True or False: The realism of a study can affect the generalisability of its findings.
True.
Fill in the blank: The experiment’s materials and environment should be _______ to enhance realism.
natural.
What question do psychologists frequently ask regarding their findings?
To what extent can I generalise these findings to everyday life?
