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Intro to Psych- Chapter 2
From Test 1
37
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
12/08/2010

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Term
Descriptive Research
Definition
Methods designed to observe and describe behavior
Term
Reactivity
Definition
When behavior changes as a result of the observation process
Term
External Validity
Definition
The extent to which results generalize to other situations or are representative of real life
Term
Naturalistic Observation
Definition
A descriptive research technique that records naturally occurring behavior as opposed to behavior produced in a laboratory
Term
Case Study
Definition
A descriptive research technique in which the effort is focused on a single case, usually an individual
Term
Survey
Definition
A descriptive research thechnique designed to gather limited amounts of information from many people, usually by administering some kind of questionnaire
Term
Random Sampling
Definition
A procedure guaranteeing that everyone in the population has an equal likelihood of being selected for the sample
Term
Mean
Definition
The arithmetic average of a set of scores
Term
Mode
Definition
The most frequently occurring score in a set of scores
Term
Median
Definition
The middle point in an ordered set of scores; half of the scores fall at or below the median score, and half fall at or above the median score
Term
Variability
Definition
A measure of how much the scores in a distribution of scores differ from one another
Term
Range
Definition
The difference between the largest and smallest scores in a distribution
Term
Standard Deviation
Definition
An indication of how much individual scores differ or vary from the mean
Term
Descriptive Statistics
Definition
Mathematical techniques that help researchers describe their data
Term
Inferential Statistics
Definition
Mathematical techniques that help researchers decide whether data are representative of a population or whether differences among observations can be attributed to chance
Term
Correlation
Definition
A statist that indicates whether two variables vary together in a systematic way; correlation coefficients vary from +1.00 to -1.00
Term
Positive Correlation
Definition
Values for both variables move in the same direction; Ex: More hours worked, more money made
Term
Negative Correlation
Definition
Values for the two variables move in opposite directions; ex: the more time spent practicing, the less errors made
Term
Zero Correlation
Definition
No statistical relationship is present: a value on one measure reveals nothing about the other measure. Ex: no correlation between hand washing and GPA
Term
Experimental Research
Definition
A technique in which the investigator actively manipulates the environment to observe its effect on behavior
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
The aspect of the environment that is manipulated in an experiment. It must consist of at least two conditions.
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
The behavior that is measured or observed in an experiment
Term
Experimental Group
Definition
The subjects in an experiment that receive the change
Term
Control Group
Definition
The subjects in an experiment that don't receive a change
Term
Confounding Variable
Definition
An uncontrolled variable that changes along with the independent variable. Can skew data about the dependent variable and mess up the experiment
Term
Internal Validity
Definition
When confounding variables are effectively controlled in an experiment, allowing for the determination of cause and effect
Term
Random Assignment
Definition
A technique ensuring that each participant in an experiment has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions in the experiment
Term
Placebos
Definition
An inactive, or inert, substance that resembles an experimental substance
Term
Single-blind Study
Definition
Experimental participants do not know which conditions they have been assigned. This is used to control subject expectancies
Term
Double-blind Study
Definition
Neither participants nor research observers are aware of who has been assigned to the experimental and control groups; it's used to control for both subject and experimenter expectancies.
Term
Informed Consent
Definition
The principle that before consenting to participate in research, people should be fully informed about any significant factors that might affect their willingness to participate
Term
Debriefing
Definition
At the conclusion of an experimental session, informing the participants about the general purpose of the experiment, including any deception that was involved
Term
Confidentiality
Definition
The principle that personal information obtained from a participant in research or therapy should not be revealed without the individual's permission
Term
Normal Distribution
Definition
Mean=Meadian=Mode
Term
Standard Deviation of Normal Distribution
Definition
34% on either side of mean
Term
J-Shaped Distribution
Definition
Scores are bounded at one end, usually with zero being the lower bound; measures unusual statistics like number of siblings people have. The mean > than the median or mode, which are usually zero
Term
Memorize:
Definition
Correlation does not always imply causation
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