CSUSB PSYCH 1100 UNIT 0: History and Research

Flashcards covering experimental research, non-experimental research, central tendency, statistical concepts, ethical guidelines, and psychological approaches from CSUSB PSYCH 1100 Unit 0.

Independent variable

A key variable in experimental research that is manipulated by the researcher to determine its effect on an outcome.

Dependent Variable

The variable in experimental research that is measured to assess the impact of the manipulated independent variable.

Random Selection

A sampling procedure in experimental research where every member of a population has an equal chance of being chosen for a study.

Random Assignment

The technique of assigning participants to experimental or control groups by chance to minimize preexisting differences between groups.

Confounding Variables

Uncontrolled factors in experimental research that can inadvertently influence the dependent variable, clouding research results.

Population

The entire group of individuals or cases from which samples may be drawn and to which study conclusions apply.

Random Sample

A representative subset of a population selected randomly, ensuring every individual had an equal likelihood of inclusion.

Convenience Sample

A non-random sampling method where participants are chosen based on their easy accessibility and proximity to the researcher.

Sampling Bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample, limiting the accurate application of findings.

Generalizability

The extent to which experimental research findings gathered from a sample can be applied to the larger population.

Control Group

The group in an experimental design that does not receive the experimental treatment, serving as a baseline for comparison.

Placebo

An inert treatment or substance used in experimental research to control for participant expectations.

Double Blind procedure

An experimental control where neither the participants nor the research staff know who has received the treatment or placebo.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the independent variable or treatment being evaluated.

Correlations/ Not Causation (Positive, Negative, No correlation)

A non-experimental concept establishing that an association between variables (whether positive, negative, or zero correlation) does not prove that one variable causes another.

Case Study

A non-experimental research method involving an in-depth, detailed examination of a single individual or small group.

Naturalistic Observation

A non-experimental research method where subjects are observed in their natural setting without investigator intervention.

Scatterplot

A graph of plotted points used in non-experimental research to depict the relationship and correlation between two numerical variables.

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables in non-experimental research when no actual relationship exists.

Mean

A measure of central tendency calculated as the arithmetic average of a distribution of scores.

Median

A measure of central tendency representing the exact middle score in a distribution ordered from lowest to highest.

Mode

A measure of central tendency representing the most frequently occurring value in a set of observations.

Range

A measure of statistical dispersion computed as the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a dataset.

Standard Deviation

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

Operational Definition

A precise statement of the exact procedures or operations used to measure or define a research variable.

Informed Consent

An ethical requirement where study participants are informed of the research nature, risks, and rights prior to participating.

Debriefing

An ethical procedure post-experiment where researchers fully explain the purpose, hypotheses, and any deception involved to participants.

Deception

The research practice of withholding true study details or misleading participants, requiring explicit debriefing afterwards.

Hindsight Bias

The cognitive tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen or predicted it.

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical statistics used to organize, summarize, and describe the quantitative characteristics of a collected sample.

Inferential Statistics

Numerical methods used to determine whether sample data can be generalized to draw conclusions about a larger population.

Validity

The extent to which a research test or experiment accurately measures or predicts what it claims to measure.

Reliability

The consistency and repeatability of measurement results across test administrations.

Evolutionary

An approach to psychology examining behavioral and mental processes through natural selection and survival mechanisms.

Psychodynamic

An approach to psychology emphasizing unconscious drives, inner conflicts, and early childhood experiences.

Behavioral

An approach to psychology focusing on observable behaviors and learning through environmental conditioning.

Biopsychosocial

An integrated approach to psychology combining biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Cognitive

An approach to psychology centered on mental processes such as perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving.

Social

An approach to psychology investigating how individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social interactions and context.

Biological

An approach to psychology emphasizing physiological structures, genetics, neural systems, and bodily mechanisms.

Humanistic

An approach to psychology emphasizing personal growth, human potential, self-actualization, and free will.

Nature Vs. Nurture

The fundamental psychological debate concerning the relative contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental experiences (nurture).