Unit 2

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

Is tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variable.
Example:
IV: the type of food consumed by the rates
DV: the weight of the rats at the end of experiment
Hypothesis: if rats are given more access to high calorie treat food they will put on more weight.

Question 2

Variables

Answer 2

Are any measurable conditions, events, characteristics , or behaviors that are controlled or observed in a study.

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

Is a system of interrelated idea used to explain a set of observed observations.
A scientific theory must be testable.

Question 4

Operational Definition

Answer 4

Describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.
Examples;
-Speed of decision made
-the number of times a student attempted to assault another student
-attractiveness: the likelihood of a participant pressing the green button for yes in response to a face.

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

Are the persons or animals whose behavior is systematically observed in a study.

Question 6

Data Collection Techniques

Answer 6

Which are procedures for making empirical observation and measurements.

Question 7

Journal

Answer 7

Is a periodical that publishes technical and scholar material, usually in a narrowly defined area of inquiry.
Standard Organization of a Journal Article:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References

Question 8

Research Methods

Answer 8

Consist of various approaches to the observation, measurement, manipulation and control of variable in empirical studies.
General term for collecting empirical data

Question 9

Experiment

Answer 9

Is research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether a changes occur in second variable as a result.
Example: Effects of group size on efficiencies and satirical toon of group members. You create one large group and one small groups and told to come up with an agreement about movie night. After they were asked to rate the satisfaction of the group size and the time it took to come to an agreement.

Question 10

Independent Variable

Answer 10

Is a condition or event that an experiment varies in order to see its impact on another variable. This variable is controlled or manipulates.
Often called: treatment, risk factor, intervention or predictor. Something you want to change.
(Ie) The type of clothing a man wore: Discussing tax cuts from a man wearing a suit or street cloths.
Or Film Violence.

Question 11

Experimental Group

Answer 11

Consists of the subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.
(Ie) subjects watches a political speech on tax’s cuts where the person wears street clothes. Or children who listen to a drill while waiting at the dentist (high anxiety group)

Question 12

Control Group

Answer 12

Consists of similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group.
Purpose: to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
(Ie) seeing a man give a speech in a suit and tie. People usually dress up when addressing anything political.

Question 13

Extraneous Variables

Answer 13

Are any variables other than the independent variable that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.

Question 14

Confounding Of Variable

Answer 14

Occurs when two variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.
When a variable other than the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
Examples:
Persons culture or ethnicity
Shyness of the participants
Math skills of the participants
Example questions of how to control this variable: HR and BP rate of watching a horror film. You ask the participants how they generally react to horror movies.

Question 15

Random Assignment of Participants

Answer 15

Occurs when all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition in the study.
When using this method individual differences between the experimental and control groups is reduced

Question 16

Reactivity

Answer 16

Occurs when a participants behavior is alerted by the presence of the observer.

Question 17

Case Study

Answer 17

Is an in depth investigation of an individual participant or group of participants.
(Ie) Doctor is interested in the effects of traumatic brain injury by conducting a in depth research.

Question 18

Survey

Answer 18

Used by researchers.
Use questionnaires or interviews to gather a large amount of information about a specific aspect of participants behavior in a short amount of time.
Weakness of survey is that rely on self report data. Participants might lie about embarrassing or sensitive behaviors.

Question 19

Descriptive Statisitcs

Answer 19

Used to organize and summarize data.
The term that best describes measures of central tendency and variability.

Question 20

Median

Answer 20

Score that falls exactly in the center of a distribution of scores.
Rearrange numbers so they are in order first.

Question 21

Mean

Answer 21

The arithmetic average of the scores in a distribution of scores.
The mean is the most useful measure of central tendency as manipulations can be performed.
However it is the most sent I’ve to extreme scores in a distribution.
To find mean:
Add all the numbers together. Then divide by the total number in the set.

Question 22

Mode

Answer 22

Is the most frequent score in a distribution.
Example:
The weight that the most rat had at the end of the experiment

Question 23

Statistical Variability

Answer 23

Refers to how much the scores in a data set vary from each other and from the mean.

Question 24

Standard of Deviation

Answer 24

Is an index of the amount of variability in a set of data.

Question 25

Normal Distribution

Answer 25

Is a symmetrical, bell shaped curve that represents the pattern in which many human characteristics are disperses in a population.

Question 26

Percentile Score

Answer 26

Indicated the percentage of people who score at or below a particular score. Example: Everyday each rat is weighed. The rates score at the 70th percentile. So, the rats weighs more than 70% of the other rats.

Question 27

Correlation

Answer 27

Exits when two variable are related to each other.

Question 28

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 28

Is a numerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables. Indicates (1) the direction of the relationship (pos or neg) (2) how strongly the 2 variables are related. Weak: 0.1 - 0.3 Mod: 0.31 - 0.44 Strong: 0.5 - 1.0

Question 29

Inferential Statistics

Answer 29

Used to interpret data and draw conclusions about the data that has been gathered.

Question 30

Statistical Significance

Answer 30

Is said to exits when the probiotic that the observed findings are due to chance is very low. To calculate: use mean and standard deviation

Question 31

Replication

Answer 31

Is the repetition of a study to see whether the earlier results are duplicated.

Question 32

Sample

Answer 32

Is the collection of participants selected for observation in an empirical study.

Question 33

Population

Answer 33

Contrast to sample. Is a much larger collection of people or animals from which the sample is drawn that researchers want to generalize about. (ie) the group of people to whom the conclusion of a research study will apply.

Question 34

Sampling Bias

Answer 34

Exists when a sample is not representative of the population from which it was drawn. Its type of bias is a problem as it limits the generality of the findings. (Ie) 20 students in a class has the lowest scoring. 10 students volunteered after the teacher told them he was trying to improve scores with memory enchanting games. Sampling bias is only 10 out of 20 volunteered, it is possible this group was a biased sample of students with poor memories. Threes students may be more optimistic than the other students with respect to improving their scores.

Question 35

Placebo Effect

Answer 35

Occurs when participants expectations lead them to experience some change even through they receive empty, fake, or ineffectual treatment. (Ie) a placebo effect make it seem like the treatment has a larger effect than it really did.

Question 36

Social Desirability Bias

Answer 36

Which is a tendency to give social y approached answers to questions about oneself. Examples- 1.a survey was sent out to ask people to provide information about their attitudes on a number of sensitive subjects. Answers received may be somewhat distorted. 2. Participants will typically score higher on the honestly measure in the survey compared to an interview

Question 37

Response Set

Answer 37

Is a tendency to respond to question in a particular way that is unrelated to the content of the questions. (Ie) patient agreed to online survey. Found out it had over 300 questions. Rather than quitting the patient just selected you or definitely agree for every question.

Question 38

Experimenter Bias

Answer 38

Occurs when a researchers expectation or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained. The use of a double blind procedure can neutralize bias. Question Examples of how to avoid this bias: Do you know what happened to the chair? Why did you break the chair? Did you break the chair? Ask someone else who is not completing the experimenter to ask the participants what happened to the chair.

Question 39

Double Blinded Procedure

Answer 39

Is a research strategy in which neither participants nor experimenters know which participants are in the experiments or control groups.

Question 40

Anecdotal Evidence

Answer 40

Consists of personal stories about specific incidents and experiences. Less reliable, difficult to verify and is less representative than empirical evidence.

Question 41

Correlational Research

Answer 41

When psychologist cannot exert experimalental control over the variables they want to study. Uses methods that include naturalistic observation, case studies and surveys.

Question 42

Ethical Guidelines

Answer 42

Guidelines that inform psychological research. There are necessary to conduct research.

Question 43

Experimental Research (Method)

Answer 43

Powerful research method where the principals advantage is that it permits conclusions about cause and effect relationships between variables. Able to draw conclusions due to the precise control available allows for the isolation of the relationship between IV and DV. Disadvantage of this kind of research: can’t often be done for practical or ethical reasons Often artificial, can lead to doubts about the findings to everyday behavior outside the lab.

Question 44

Frequency Distribution

Answer 44

An orderly arrangement of scores indicating the frequency of each score or a group of scores.

Question 45

Frequency Polygon

Answer 45

A line figure used to present data from a frequency distribution.

Question 46

Meta-Analysis

Answer 46

The combination of statistical results of many studies of the same question, yielding an estimated of the size and consistency of variables efffects.

Question 47

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 47

A researcher engages in careful observation of behavior without interventions directly with the subjects. Allows researchers to study behaviors under conditions that are less artificial than in experiments. Examples; -researchers at a buffet concluded that people who choose larger plates consumed more food. -a researcher observed bulling and aggression of the play ground between children and taking careful notes of their interactions Advantages Examples: natural observation can be a good starting point when little is known about a certain phenomenon. Disadvantages Examples: one cannot reliably explain any patterns of behavior one might observe.

Question 48

Negatively Skewed Distribution

Answer 48

Refers to the direction in which the curve of the tail points. Figure of scores that pile up at the high end of the scale. The curve go down to the left. Indicates that two variables co vary in the opposite direction. People who score high on X will score low on Y. People who score low on X will score high on Y. Example: -0.79 the less time required to make a deal is ion the greater the satisfaction of group members.

Question 49

Positively Skewed Distribution

Answer 49

A figure where the scores pile up at or blow a particular score. Scores go up to the right. Two variables co vary int he same direction. High scores on X are associated with high scores on Y. Low scores on X are associated with low scores on X. Example: +0.70 participants who we’re more stressed ate more tidbits

Question 50

Statistics

Answer 50

Is the use of mathematics to organize, summarize and interpret numerical data. Uses: Interpret observations Organize observations Summarize observations

Question 51

5 Steps of Scientific Investigation

Answer 51

1. Formulate a testable hypotheses 2. Select the research method and design the study 3. Collect the data 4. Analyze the data and draw conclusions 5. Report the findings

Question 52

Strength of Correlation

Answer 52

The size of the coefficient indicated the strength of an association between 2 variables. Coefficient near 0 indicated no relationship between variables. The closer the correlation to either -1.00 or +1.00 the stronger the relationship. THe Pos or neg sign represents the direction of the curve.

Question 53

Correlation does not Cause Causation

Answer 53

In correlation, you cannot distinguish whether one variable causes another, whether true or not or whether a third variable is procuring results. You can however eliminate explanations that would produce different patterns or results. Example: regular church attendees can build a network of social support, which has a positive impact on their health.

Question 54

Animal Research in Psychology

Answer 54

Only a small portion of animals are used in research, less than 10%. THe majority of the studies are often mundane and don’t require the animal to experience discomfort.

Question 55

3 Goals of the Scientific Enterprise

Answer 55

1. Measurement and Description (Ie) if you were interested in in the effects of different situations on emotions you would first have to develop some means of measuring emotions 2. Understanding and Prediction Higher level of science is understanding. In order to understand, you make predictions using an hypotheses. 3. Application and Control (Ie) you are investaging the causes of anxiety. Yo9u use your research to design a tutor program to improve exam perforamancec.

Question 56

Dependent Variable

Answer 56

The variable that is thought to be affected by manipulation of the independent variable. Often called: the response, the symptom or the outcome (Ie) level of anxiety created by watch a violent film

Question 57

Central Tendency

Answer 57

A typical or average score in a data set. Examples: The satisfaction rating for a large group is 4.6

Question 58

Correlation between Two Variables

Answer 58

It predicts the value of one variable based on your knowledge of a second variable.

Question 59

Representative Sample

Answer 59

Associated with the ability to generalize the findings from a research study.

Question 60

Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

Answer 60

Ethical principles that are designed to ensure the welfare of both humans and animal research participants. 1. Respect for the dignity of persons 2. Responsible caring 3. Integrity in relationships 4. Responsibility to society.

Question 61

Members of Tri Council

Answer 61

1. Social science and humanities research council 2. Natural science and engineering research council 3. Canadian institutes of health research

Question 62

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologist

Answer 62

The code of ethics used by Canadians psychologists

Question 63

Responsibility of Psychologist

Answer 63

To assure freedom of consent for research participants.

Question 64

Why do Researchers use Statistics when they conduct Scientific Investigations?

Answer 64

To analyze the empirical data collection in their study.

Question 65

Placebo Control Group

Answer 65

Where groups receives a substances that has not active component but looks and tastes just like the supplements given to the experimental group.

Question 66

Psychological Test

Answer 66

Scientific measurement used to obtain a sample of a person behavior. Participants are administered a standard measure to obtain a sample of their behavior. Tests are usually used to assess mental abilities or personality traits.

Question 67

Between Subject Design

Answer 67

Research method where participants are split into groups and each group is given a different treatment.

Question 68

Within Subjects Design

Answer 68

Also known as a repeated subject design. Research method where the same participants experience all conditions of an experiment.

Question 69

Direct Observation

Answer 69

Involves direct contact between the researcher and the participant. Observes are trained to watch and record behavior as objectively and precisely as possible. They may use some instrument such as a stop watch or video recorder.

Question 71

Controlled Variable

Answer 71

A variable you want to keep the same

Question 72

Ph.D in psychology

Answer 72

Most likely will work in the public sector.

Question 73

Attributes of the Scientific Method

Answer 73

1. Curiosity. (Ie) why did this happen> 2. Skepticism (ie) it sounds good but show me more evidence. 3. Open-mindedness (ie) well, that’s a surprise. I guess we need to revise our theory. I will investigate other explanations for the data in my experiment even if it does not align with my hypothesis.

Question 74

Distortion of Self Report Data

Answer 74

Occurs when particiapants provide inaccurate or bias responses. Often occurs with factors like social desirability, memory issues or misinterpretations of questions that leads to unreliable research findings. Example: When participants know the reasoning behind the experiment and change their answers or responses to please the researcher.