Psychology: Investigating Behaviour Flashcards
(21 cards)
Experiment
where IV is manipulated between two conditions to measure the DV, other variables are controlled
Independent Variable
the variable that is measured
Dependent Variable
the change caused by the IV
Hypothesis
predicts what the researcher expects to happen.
Non-directional hypothesis
does not predict which way the independent variable will affect the dependent variable, but states there will be a significant difference between the conditions
Directional hypothesis
predicts the direction of the outcome of an investigation. (better or worse)
Null hypothesis
states the manipulation of the IV will have no effect on the DV, and any differences found would be due to chance
Reliability
gives consistent findings
E.g. IQ tests
Internal validity
measures what it claims to measure
E.g. an IQ test should measure intelligence
External validity
findings can be generalised (applied) beyond the study
Repeated measures design
all participants take part in all of the conditions of the study
Matched pairs design
different participants are used in each condition, but they are matched on key characteristics relevant to the study
Independent groups design
participants only participate in one condition of the study
Order Effects
when participants perform differently in each condition as they have already performed the task
can be overcome using counterbalancing
Field Experiment
an experiment that takes place in the natural environment for the behaviour being measured
Laboratory Experiment
an experiment done in highly controlled conditions.
An IV is manipulated, a DV is measured
Extraneous variable
A nuisance variable which affects all conditions making differences due to IV more difficult to measure
Demand Characteristics
when participants change their behaviour because they believe they have guessed the purpose of the investigation
done to please or annoy the experimenter
Confounding variables
An extraneous variable that interacts systematically with the IV and affects the DV
confounds the result
Cause and effect conclusion
when the change in the DV can be directly attributed to the IV as all variables have been controlled and the scientific method applied
Operational definition/operationalisation
A precise & measurable definition of a variable in a specific experiment.
E.g. memory may be defined by the number of words correctly recalled from a list
