AP Psych Unit 0 Test

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world based on a body of evidence.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effects.

Dependent variable

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

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark.

Experimental group

A group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention.

Empirical investigation

A method of acquiring knowledge through direct or indirect observation or experience.

Scientific method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Correlation

A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables change together.

Correlation coefficient

A numerical value that indicates the strength and direction of a correlation (positive, negative, or zero).

Operational definitions

Specific explanations of abstract concepts that allow them to be measured or tested.

Single blind

An experimental design where participants do not know whether they are in the control or experimental group.

Double blind

An experimental design where neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is in the control or experimental group.

Confounding variables

Extraneous variables that can affect the dependent variable and lead to erroneous conclusions.

Experimental bias

A bias that occurs when the experimenter's expectations influence the outcome of the study.

Expectancy bias

A type of bias where a researcher's expectations about the outcome influence the results.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one's preconceptions.

Randomization

The process of randomly assigning participants to different groups to eliminate bias.

Sample population

The group of individuals selected from a larger population for a study.

Random assignment

The process of assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance.

Random selection

The process of selecting a sample from a population in such a way that every individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

Representative

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population.

Generalizable

The extent to which findings from a study can be applied to settings or populations beyond the study.

Publishing experiments

The process of sharing research findings with the scientific community through journals or conferences.

Replicating experiments

The process of repeating a study to see if the same results can be obtained.

Ethics

The moral principles guiding research, including how subjects must be treated before and after an experiment.

APA guidelines

Standards set by the American Psychological Association for conducting and reporting research ethically.

Naturalistic observation

A research method involving observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Longitudinal study

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period.

Cross-sectional study

A research design that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

Cohort sequential study

A research design that combines longitudinal and cross-sectional methods by studying different cohorts over time.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met.

Malfeasance

The performance of an act that is illegal or wrong.

Non-malfeasance

The ethical principle of not causing harm to others.

Frequency distribution

A summary of how often different values occur within a dataset.

Scatterplot

A graphical representation of the relationship between two quantitative variables.

Histogram

A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data using bars.

Effects of skew

The impact of asymmetry in a distribution on statistical measures like mean and median.

Mean

The average value of a dataset, calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of values.

Median

The middle value in a dataset when the values are arranged in order.

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a dataset.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.

Standard deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

Statistical significance

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

Inferential statistics

Statistical methods used to make inferences or generalizations about a population based on sample data.

Placebo

An inactive substance or treatment used as a control in experiments.

Placebo effect

The phenomenon where participants experience a perceived improvement in condition due to their expectations.

Quantitative data

Data that can be measured and expressed numerically.

Qualitative data

Data that is descriptive and conceptual,