Unit 2

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A testable prediction, often implied by theory

Question 4

Operational definition

Answer 4

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study (unbiased)

Question 5

Replication

Answer 5

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations to see whether basic findings can be reproduced

Question 6

Case study

Answer 6

A descriptive technique in which an individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Question 7

Naturalistic observation

Answer 7

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating or controlling the situation

Question 8

Survey

Answer 8

A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group

Question 9

Sampling bias

Answer 9

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Question 11

Random sample

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and how well either factor predicts another

Question 13

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 13

A statistical index of the relationship between two individuals

Question 14

Variable

Answer 14

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Question 15

Scatterplot

Answer 15

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables

Question 16

Illusory correlation

Answer 16

Perceiving a relationship where none exists or perceiving a stronger than actual relationship

Question 17

Regression toward the mean

Answer 17

The tendency for extreme scores or events to fall back toward the average

Question 18

Experiment

Answer 18

A research method in which one or more factors are manipulated to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)

Question 19

Experimental group

Answer 19

The group exposed to treatment, to one version of the independent variable

Question 20

Control group

Answer 20

The group not exposed to treatment, serve as comparison for evaluating the effects of treatment

Question 21

Random assignment

Answer 21

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between groups

Question 22

Double blind procedure

Answer 22

The participants and researcher are uninformed about which group receives treatment and who doesn’t

Question 23

Placebo

Answer 23

Inert treatment-pill w/o medicine inside

Removes assumptions about medicine effects

Question 24

Independent variable

Answer 24

The factor that is manipulated, the variable where the effect is being studied

Question 25

Compounding variable

Answer 25

A factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results

Question 26

Dependent variable

Answer 26

The outcome that is measured, the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Question 27

Validity

Answer 27

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Question 28

Informed consent

Answer 28

Giving potential participants enough info about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Question 29

Debriefing

Answer 29

The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Question 30

Descriptive statistics

Answer 30

Numerical data used to describe and measure characteristics of groups-includes measures of control tendency and measures of variation

Question 31

Histogram

Answer 31

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Question 32

Mode

Answer 32

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution

Question 33

Mean

Answer 33

The arithmetic average, obtained by adding the scores and dividing the # of scores

Question 34

Medium

Answer 34

The middle score in a distribution

Question 35

Skewed Distribution

Answer 35

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Question 36

Range

Answer 36

The difference between the highest and the lowest scores in a distribution

Question 37

Standard Deviation

Answer 37

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean

Question 38

Normal curve

Answer 38

A symmetrical, Bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data: most scores fall near mean

Question 39

Statistical significance

Answer 39

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance