PSY 215 Study Guide Test 1 - Chapters 1-3 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from PSY 215 Chapters 1–3.

Producer of research

A person who conducts studies and generates new data through systematic inquiry.

Consumer of research

A person who reads, interprets, and applies research findings to inform thinking or practice.

Theory-data cycle

An iterative process where theories generate hypotheses, data test them, and data lead to theory refinement.

Data

Observable information collected to test hypotheses and inform theory.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction derived from a theory.

Empiricism

Knowledge gained through systematic observation and experience, not just intuition.

Relationship between data and theory

Data test and inform theories; theories generate predictions that data can confirm or challenge.

Disinterestedness

Objectivity in science; absence of personal stake influencing conclusions.

Organized skepticism

Critical and systematic scrutiny of all evidence before accepting claims.

Applied research

Research aimed at solving practical problems and real-world applications.

Basic research

Research conducted to increase fundamental knowledge without immediate practical aims.

Translational research

Work that moves findings from basic science into practical applications, bridging lab and clinic.

Translational vs applied/basic research

Translational research integrates basic and applied aims to move discoveries into practice; it connects fundamental findings to real-world uses.

Benefit of peer review

Independent evaluation by experts to improve quality, validity, and credibility of research before publication.

Journalists misrepresent research

Media simplification or distortion of findings, often overstating implications or ignoring limitations.

How to ensure a media article is accurate

Check the original study, note limitations, seek multiple sources, and assess whether conclusions are warranted.

When does a scientist accept a theory

When a theory has withstood extensive testing and accumulating supporting evidence, though not proven beyond all doubt.

Importance of comparison group

A baseline group that does not receive the treatment, used to compare effects.

Confound

An extraneous variable that correlates with both the independent variable and the outcome, potentially producing spurious effects.

Probabilistic

Relating to or based on probability; findings generalize beyond individuals to population regularities.

Present/present bias

A bias related to emphasizing evidence that is currently present or salient when evaluating claims.

Availability heuristic

Estimating likelihood or frequency based on how easily examples come to mind.

Confirmation bias

Tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms preconceptions.

Skeptical of authority

Smaller tendency to accept claims from authorities without evidence or consideration of alternatives.

Journal article vs popular magazine article

Scholarly articles are peer-reviewed with methods and data; popular articles are designed for broad audiences and may omit methodological details.

Meta-analysis

A statistical procedure that combines results from multiple studies to derive a more precise estimate of effects.

Major areas of a journal article

Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion.

First section of a journal article

Abstract—a concise summary of the study and findings.

Section that discusses measures

Measures are described in the Method section (often under Procedures or Measures subsections).

Which section should you read first

Abstract, to quickly assess relevance and overview.

Last section of a journal article

Discussion (and Conclusions), followed by References.

Bias blind spot

Tendency to recognize bias in others' thinking while underestimating one’s own susceptibility to bias.

Where do you find the hypothesis

Typically stated in the Introduction.

Variable

A factor that can take on different values across observations or conditions.

Constant

A factor that remains fixed and does not vary across observations in a study.

Manipulated vs measured variables

Manipulated variable (independent variable) is deliberately changed; measured variable (dependent variable) is observed/measured as the outcome.

Operational definition

A precise description of how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study.

Association claim

A claim that two variables are related, without asserting causation.

Positive association

As one variable increases, the other variable tends to increase as well.

Validities for a frequency claim

Statistical validity (appropriate analysis), external validity (generalizability), and measurement validity (accurate measurement of the variable).

Three criteria for evaluation causal claims

Covariance (association), temporal precedence (cause precedes effect), and internal validity (rule out alternative explanations).

How do experiments support causal claims

By manipulating the independent variable, using random assignment, and controlling extraneous variables to observe effects on the dependent variable.

Independent and dependent variables

Independent variable (manipulated cause); dependent variable (measured outcome).

Construct validity in a study summary

Whether the measures and procedures appropriately capture the theoretical constructs.

Random assignment and internal validity

Random assignment reduces preexisting differences, increasing internal validity by creating equivalent groups.

Key components of an experiment

Manipulation of IV, measurement of DV, random assignment, control conditions, operational definitions, and control of extraneous variables.