Unit 2: The Research Enterprise in Psychology Flashcards
Anecdotal evidence
information based on personal experiences rather than systemic/systematic and controlled empirical research
Confounding variables
when the effect of one variable is mixed up or distorted by the presence of another variable
What is a statistical measure that quantifies the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables
Correlation coefficient
What is a research method that examines the relationship between variables w/o manipulating them?
Correlational research
an outcome or response researchers want to examine, explain or predict. It is believed to be influential on other variables
The dependent variable
the technique/measures used to summarize and describe the main features of a data set
descriptive statistics
Making predictions/conclusions based on info obtained from hypotheses, generalizations
Inferential statistics
Statistics technique to summarize results from multiple studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a subject
Meta-analysis
observe behaviour in natural environments
naturalistic observation
the shape of a probability distribution or set of data
Ex: a distribution of income leans more to the left (lower income) and a small number to the right (high)
negatively skewed distribution
distortion in the process of selecting participants for a study that leads to a non-representative sample.
sampling bias
the shape of a probability distribution or set of data, extending to the right, or showing extremely high values
Positively skewed observation
tendency for individuals to respond in a manner they believe will be viewed favourably by others or conform to social norms, rather than answering truthfully
social desirability bias
Who believed in biofeedback and behavioural medicine? (Where people could gain voluntary control of HR, BP, muscle tension through operant conditioning)
Neal Miller
What is the Bio-Informational Theory?
Role of feedback systems in regulating behaviour
