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Chapter 2 Vocabulary
Research Methods
64
Psychology
Not Applicable
08/19/2010

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Cards

Term

 

 

 

Hindsight Bias

Definition

 

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)

Term

 

 

 

Critical Thinking

Definition
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
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Theory

Definition

 

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

Term

 

 

 

Hypothesis

Definition

 

 

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Term

 

 

 

Operational definition

Definition
A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.
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Replication

Definition
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.
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Case study

Definition

 

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Term

 

 

 

Survey

Definition
A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.
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Population

Definition

 

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn. (Note: Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country's whole population.)

Term

 

 

 

Random sample

Definition

 

 

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

Term

 

 

 

Naturalistic observation

Definition

 

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Term

 

 

 

Correlation

Definition

 

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Term

 

 

 

Correlation coefficient

Definition

 

 

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1).

Term

 

 

 

Scatterplot

Definition

 

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation).

Term

 

 

 

Illusory correlation

Definition

 

 

The perception of a relationship where non exists.

Term

 

 

 

Experiment

Definition

 

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.

Term

 

 

 

Random assignment

Definition
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.
Term

 

 

 

Double-blind procedure

Definition
An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.
Term

 

 

 

Placebo effect

Definition
Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
Term

 

 

 

Experimental group

Definition

 

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Term

 

 

 

Control group

Definition
In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
Term

 

 

 

Independent variable

Definition

 

 

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Term

 

 

 

Confounding variable

Definition

 

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Term

 

 

 

Dependent variable

Definition

 

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Term

 

 

 

Mode

Definition

 

 

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.

Term

 

 

 

Mean

Definition

 

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Term

 

 

 

Median

Definition

 

 

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.

Term

 

 

 

Range

Definition

 

 

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

Term

 

 

 

Standard deviation

Definition

 

 

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Term

 

 


Normal curve

Definition
A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68 percent fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes.
Term

 

 

 

Statistical significance

Definition

 

 

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

Term

 

 

 

Culture

Definition

 

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Term

 

 

 

Informed Consent

Definition

 

An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Term

 

 

 

Debriefing

Definition

 

The postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Term

 

 

 

Empiricism

Definition

 

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation.

Term

 

 

 

Structuralism

Definition

 

An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind.

Term

 

 

 

Functionalism

Definition

 

A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function-how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Term

 

 

 

Experimental Psychology

Definition

 

 

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method.

Term

 

 

 

Behaviorism

Definition
The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).
Term

 

 

 

Humanistic Psychology

Definition

 

Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth.

Term

 

 

 

Cognitive Neuroscience

Definition

 

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

Term

 

 

 

Psychology

Definition

 

 

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Term

 

 

 

Nature-nurture issue

Definition

 

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Term

 

 

 

Natural selection

Definition
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
Term

 

 

 

Levels of analysis

Definition

 

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Term

 

 

 

Biopsychosocial approach

Definition

 

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Term

 

 

 

Biological psychology

 

Definition

 

A branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes.

Term

 

 

 

Evolutionary psychology

Definition

 

 

The study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection.

Term

 

 

 

 

Psychodynamic psychology

Definition
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders.
Term

 

 

 

Behavioral psychology

Definition

 

 

The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning.

Term

 

 

 

Cognitive psychology

Definition

 

The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Term

 

 

Social-cultural psychology

Definition

 

 

The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.

Term

 

 

 

Psychometrics

Definition

 

 

The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits.

Term

 

 

 

Basic research

Definition

 

 

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Term

 

 

 

Developmental psychology

Definition

 

 

The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Term

 

 

 

Educational psychology

Definition

 

 

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning.

Term

 

 

 

Personality psychology

Definition

 

 

The study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Term

 

 

 

Social psychology

Definition

 

 

The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.

Term

 

 

 

Applied research

Definition

 

 

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Term

 

 

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

Definition

 

 

The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces.

Term

 

 

 

Human factors psychology

Definition

 

The study of how people and machines interact and the design of safe and easily used machines and environments.

Term

 

 

 

Counseling psychology

Definition

 

A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.

Term

 

 

 

Clinical psychology

Definition

 

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Term

 

 

 

Psychiatry

Definition
A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who often provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy
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