Unit 0 Flashcards
Random sampling
A sample that fairly represents a population because every member in the sample had an equal chance of being chosen to be in the sample
Central tendency
a statistic that identifies a single value as representative of the entire distribution of data. The three measures of central tendency in psychology are the mean, the median, and the mode of a sample, where the sample should be representative of the population. Measures of central tendency help you find the middle, or average, of a data set.
Confirmation Bias
People look for evidence that confirms their beliefs and ignore evidence that goes against their beliefs
Replication
Repeating a research study with different participants in different circumstances to see whether the findings remain consistent
Dependent Variable
The OUTCOME factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the ind. variable; RESULTS of experimental testing
Positively Skewed Distribution
Where do the mode, median, and mean go?
The skew shifts left in graph
Mode is at the top of the peak, median is in the middle of the graph, and mean is towards the botom of the graph
Psychiatry
Only people who can prescribe a drug, They deal with the most intense psychological disorders, they are a medical doctor who also provides therapy.
Mean
The average
Control Group
Those who don’t receive the treatment; used as a baseline datapoint for comparison (placebo group or norm group)
Third Variable Problem
When the data in a scatterplot shows us a correlation but there is a variable that is missed or not considered
We should not jump to conclusions when creating links between variables
Null Hypothesis
States that two variables are not related and that one does not affect the other
Positive Psychology
branch of psychology focused on the character strengths and behaviors that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose—to move beyond surviving to flourishing. Theorists and researchers in the field have sought to identify the elements of a “good life”
Falsifiability in Research
Something that is falsifiable can be disproven.
IT IS ABLE TO BE DISPROVEN BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT LITERALLY CAN BE.
If a theory is falsifiable then it is scientific, if not then it is unscientific.
Experimental Group
People who receive the treatment(are being experimented on) ; variable being tested
Operational Definition
Clearly defines the experimental variables and procedures in very specific terms as to how it will be measured, manipulated, or changed.
Double-Blind Study
Research subjects and researchers themselves are “blind” to the experimental and control group
They find out at the end
Social Desirability Bias
A type of response bias that occurs when people act or respond in a way they believe will be viewed favorably by others even if it does not reflect their true feelings or thoughts
You have to create a comfortable environment so people are more honest.
Overconfidence Bias
A bias that occurs when people overestimate their abilities, knowledge, or skills in a particular area.
Regression Toward the Mean
The phenomenon where if one sample of a random variable is extreme , the next sampling of the same random variable is likely to be closer to its mean (or average).
In general it explains why unusual events are likely to be followed by more typical ones.
Median
The exact middle number when you put all the options in order
Developmental Psychology
Branch of psych that studies physical, cognitive and social change throughout life
Lab Experiment
an experiment that uses a carefully controlled setting and standardised procedure to establish how changes in the independent variable affect the dependent variable
Debriefing
The post-experimental explanation of a study to participants, including its purpose and any deceptions used
Representative Sample
A group that closely matches the characteristics of its population as a whole. In other words, the sample is a fairly accurate reflection of the population from which the sample is drawn.