Psychology Statistics Review

These flashcards cover essential concepts in psychology statistics, including hypothesis testing, types of errors, research ethics, and correlations.

What are the four goals of science in psychology?

1. Describe behaviors 2. Predict future behavior 3. Explain behavior 4. Apply knowledge to benefit people.

What does the term 'Operational Definition' refer to?

Specifies the exact, concrete procedure used to measure or manipulate a construct.

What is the difference between the Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV)?

IV is the variable controlled or manipulated by the researcher, while DV is the variable measured by the researcher.

What is a key characteristic of the scientific process according to the lecture?

It teaches the process of acquiring psychological knowledge.

What is the assumption of 'Determinism' in science?

The assumption that events have causes.

What is 'Measurement Error'?

The difference between the observed value and the true value of the variable being measured.

What is the purpose of the Single Sample t-Test?

To determine if a single sample differs from a known population mean when the population standard deviation is unknown.

What is the significance of a Code of Ethics in psychological research?

It guides our decisions and behavior regarding what is right and wrong when working with people.

What are the two types of errors in measurement?

Random Error (reliability issue) and Systematic Error (validity issue).

What does Statistical Determinism imply in research?

It implies that the causes of events can be discovered using agreed-upon scientific methods.

What does a high p-value indicate in hypothesis testing?

It usually leads to failing to reject the null hypothesis (H₀).

What is 'Pseudoscience'?

A fake science that looks like science but uses inadequate or unscientific methods.

How is the concept of 'Falsification' important for a good theory?

A good theory must be precise enough that it can be tested and potentially disproven.

In terms of validity, what does a reliable measure imply?

A measure must be reliable to be valid; it cannot accurately measure anything if it is inconsistent.

What is the purpose of hypothesis testing?

To determine whether there is enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis.

What does the 'z-score' measure in hypothesis testing?

The number of standard errors the sample mean lies above or below the population mean.

What is the meaning of 'Correlation'?

It describes whether two variables move together, in which direction, and how strongly.

What statistical test would you use to compare two independent groups?

The Independent Sample t-Test.

What is the role of the critical value in hypothesis testing?

It serves as a cutoff to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis based on the test statistic.

What are the ethical principles outlined for human research?

Respect, Beneficence, Justice, and Integrity.

What does Kurtosis measure in a distribution?

The 'peakedness' or 'squashedness' of the distribution compared to a normal distribution.