Psych Chapter 1

Question 0

1-2 Critical thinking

Answer 0

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 0

1-1 Perceiving order in random events

Answer 0

The tendency to perceive patterns and correlations where there are none.

Question 0

1-1 Overconfidence

Answer 0

Believing in ones conclusion despite evidence to the contrary.

Question 1

1-1 Hindsight Bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.
(Believing learned truths to be common sense automatically)

Question 2

1-3 Operational definition

Answer 2

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as “what an intelligence test measures.”

Question 3

1-3 Theory

Answer 3

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Question 4

1-3 A good theory does…

Answer 4

1) organizes a range of self - reports and observations

2) implies predictions that anyone can use to check the theory or to derive practical applications

Question 5

1-3 Hypothesis

Answer 5

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Question 6

1-3 Replication

Answer 6

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Question 7

1-3 Experimental methods for testing out theories

Answer 7

Manipulating factors to discover their effects

Question 8

1-4 Case study

Answer 8

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 9

1-3 Descriptive methods for testing out theories

Answer 9

Describing behaviours, often through case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observations

Question 10

1-3 Correlational Methods for testing out theories

Answer 10

Associating different factors.

Question 11

1-4 Wording effect

Answer 11

When the wording of a question influences the outcome in a survey

Question 12

1-4 Population

Answer 12

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Question 13

1-4 Anecdotal evidence

Answer 13

Dramatic single stories which tend to result in over generalizations.

Question 14

1-4 Surveys and Interviews

Answer 14

Asking people questions
a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Question 15

1-4 Naturalistic Observation

Answer 15

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Describes behaviour, does not explain it.

Question 16

1-5 Correlation

Answer 16

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Question 17

1-5 Causation

Answer 17

What causes what.

Question 18

1-5 Correlation coefficient

Answer 18

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from −1 to +1).
+1 is strong correlation
0 is weak correlation
-1 is strong correlation

Question 19

1-4 Random Sample

Answer 19

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Question 20

1-5 Scatter plot

Answer 20

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation).

Question 21

1-6 Control group

Answer 21

in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Question 22

1-6 Placebo Effect

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

1-6 random assignment

Answer 23

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.

Question 24

1-6 experimental group

Answer 24

in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 25

1-6 Dependent Variable

Answer 25

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 26

1-6 Independent Variable

Answer 26

the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 27

1-6 Double-blind

Answer 27

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug - evaluation studies.

Question 28

1-7 Median

Answer 28

the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.

Question 29

1-7 Mode

Answer 29

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.

Question 30

1-6 Confounding Variable

Answer 30

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Question 31

1-7 Mean

Answer 31

the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Question 32

1-8 Standard Deviation

Answer 32

More useful than range for measuring how stats deviate from each other.

Question 33

1-8 Statistical significance

Answer 33

When observed differences in reliable data is large.

Question 34

1-8 Normal Curve

Answer 34

Typical bell-shaped distribution; most cases near mean, fewer cases falling near either extreme.

Question 35

1-8 Range

Answer 35

The difference between the highest and lowest numbers.

Question 36

1-12 Debriefing

Answer 36

the postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Question 37

1-8 When is observed difference reliable?

Answer 37

- When using representative samples rather than biased samples - When the observation uses lesser amounts of variables - When there are more cases

Question 38

1-12 Informed Consent

Answer 38

an ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Question 39

1-9 Culture

Answer 39

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.