Conducting Studies in Psychology 2920

These flashcards cover key concepts in conducting studies within psychology, including manipulation of variables, measurement of results, and the influence of expectations.

What is a straightforward manipulation in psychological studies?

It is when the manipulated variable is not complex and simple or common responses are measured.

What is mundane realism?

It is when an experimental task mimics ordinary tasks of life.

What characterizes staged manipulations?

They involve a complex set of stimuli or circumstances and often include deception or confederates.

How does experimental realism affect research?

It reflects how well a participant believes they are not in an experiment, leading them to act naturally.

What are demand characteristics in a study?

They are features of an experiment that may reveal the real purpose of the study, influencing participants' responses.

What is one reason for using staged manipulations?

To produce a psychological state, such as frustration, to observe its effect on behavior.

What is another reason for staged manipulations?

To simulate a real-life situation and observe people's responses.

What is a manipulation check?

It is an evaluation of the effectiveness of a manipulation.

What are the two approaches to a manipulation check?

1) Pilot study for validation before the experiment; 2) Built-in measure for assessment during the experiment.

What considerations impact the strength of manipulation in studies?

Prior knowledge of effects, relation to real life, ethics, and underlying relationships between variables.

What are the three types of measurements for dependent variables?

Self-report, behavioral, and physiological.

Why is sensitivity of measurements important in research?

Not all measures are equally sensitive to independent variables, which can affect detection of effects.

What is a ceiling effect in measurement?

It occurs when most participants have high scores, making the operational definition too easy.

What is a floor effect in measurement?

It occurs when most participants have low scores, making the operational definition too difficult.

How can a ceiling effect impact the results of a study?

It may lead to a conclusion that there is no effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

What conclusion can be drawn from a floor effect?

It can also lead to a conclusion that there is no effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

In a study measuring helping behavior, how can it be defined?

Definitions can include picking up at least one page, offering to pay for damaged papers, or time spent rendering assistance.

What conclusion was reached when evaluating helping behavior through Definition 1?

There was no effect of age of victim on helping behavior due to a ceiling effect.

What conclusion was reached when evaluating helping behavior through Definition 2?

There was no effect of age of victim on helping behavior due to a floor effect.

What conclusion was reached when evaluating helping behavior through Definition 3?

Age of victim affects helping behavior, indicating no effect bias.

What are expectation effects in participants?

Psychological states and behaviors can be influenced by the expectation of an effect, complicating true evaluations.

What is a potential problem when evaluating the effect of a drug on mood?

The results may reflect participant expectations rather than the drug's actual effects.

What solutions are proposed to control for expectation effects?

Using a placebo control group and ensuring that neither the participant nor the researcher knows the treatment.

What was the finding of Rosenthal's (1967) study on maze-bright and maze-dull rats?

Rats labeled as maze bright performed better, but all were from the same strain, showing the influence of student expectations.

What is a double-blind study?

A study design where neither the subjects nor the researchers know which treatment the subjects receive.

Why is controlling for expectation effects important?

To ensure that the observed effects are due to the independent variable rather than participants' or researchers' expectations.

What are some potential biases introduced by researchers in studies?

Researchers' knowledge of treatments can inadvertently influence study outcomes.

Why might one use pilot studies?

To validate manipulations prior to the main experiment.

What is the impact of ethical concerns in strength of manipulation?

Manipulation must be ethical and not too extreme to avoid harm or discomfort to participants.

How do underlying relationships between variables influence experiments?

Understanding these relationships can help in designing more effective manipulations and measuring dependent variables.

Why is it important to have proper operational definitions for dependent variables?

To avoid ceiling and floor effects and ensure accurate sensitivity in measuring outcomes.

What could indicate a lack of effect in an experiment?

Observing ceiling effects, floor effects, or low sensitivity to the independent variable.