Interactive Psychology chapter 2

Intuition

A form of reasoning based on instinctive feelings rather than conscious reasoning, often leading to biased conclusions.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to research that involves developing theories, forming hypotheses, and collecting data to test those hypotheses.

Theory-Data Cycle

The process by which theories are developed and tested through data collection and analysis.

Variable

An element of interest in research that can take on different values.

Operationalizing

The process of defining a variable in measurable terms.

Descriptive Research

Research that aims to describe characteristics or behaviors of a population, often using surveys or observational methods.

Naturalistic Observation

A research method where behavior is observed in its natural environment without interference.

Correlational Research

A type of research that measures the relationship between two or more variables.

Scatterplot

A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables, where each dot represents an individual data point.

Causation

The relationship between cause and effect, which requires specific criteria to be established in research.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the impact of the independent variable.

Random Assignment

A method used in experiments to assign participants to different conditions randomly, helping to eliminate bias.

Random Sampling

A technique used to select a representative sample from a population, allowing for generalization of results.

Construct Validity

The degree to which a study accurately measures the theoretical construct it intends to measure.

External Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to settings, people, and times beyond the study.

Internal Validity

The degree to which a study can rule out alternative explanations for its findings, particularly in causal claims.

Effect Size

A quantitative measure of the strength of a phenomenon, often used to assess the magnitude of differences or relationships in research.

Statistical Significance

A determination of whether the results of a study are likely due to chance or reflect a true effect in the population.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research question.