AP Psych Vocab #1

Unit 0

Critical thinking

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden bases, evaluates evidence, and assess conclusions

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have forseen it (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)

Peer reviewers

Scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy

Theory

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Hypothesis

A tangible prediction, often implied by a theory

Falsifiable

The probability that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment

Operational definition

A carefully-worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures (Also known as operationalization)

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced

Case study

A non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principals

Naturalistic observation

A non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Survey

A non-experimental technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Social desirability bias

Bias from people’s responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes

Self-report bias

Bias when people report their behavior inaccurately

Sampling bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative example

Random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Population

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn (Note: except for national studies, this does not refer to a country’s whole population)

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors very together, and thus of who well either factor predicts the other

Correlation coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Variable

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests strength of correlation (little scatter means high correlation)

Illusory correlation

Perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship

Regression toward the mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (or regress) toward the average

Experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the researcher aims to control other relevant factors

Experimental group

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Control group

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups

Single-blind procedure

Placebo

Latin for “I shall please”