Research and Analysis 1 - Rationality and Exam 1 Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering rationality concepts, formal logic, probability, and key Exam 1 study guide topics for Research and Analysis 1.

Rationality

Reasoning that helps you form accurate beliefs and achieve your goals.

Epistemic rationality

Getting your beliefs aligned with reality.

Instrumental rationality

Choosing actions that achieve your goals.

Validity

A property of an argument where the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

Soundness

A property of an argument defined as a valid argument plus true premises.

Modus ponens

A valid argument form structured as: If $P \rightarrow Q$; $P$; therefore $Q$.

Modus tollens

A valid argument form structured as: If $P \rightarrow Q$; not $Q$; therefore not $P$.

Probability

Degree of uncertainty.

Base rate

The underlying frequency of something.

Base-rate neglect

Ignoring the underlying probability of an event.

Gambler's fallacy

Thinking independent random events "owe" you a particular outcome.

Bayesian reasoning

Updating beliefs when new evidence arrives.

Confounding variable

A third variable that can explain an observed relationship.

Equating correlation with causation

The logical error of assuming correlation equals causation, when correlation alone does not establish a causal relationship.

Randomized experiments

A research approach identified as powerful for determining causation.

Bayes' Theorem Exam Provision

Students do not have to memorize the equation for Bayes' Theorem, as the equation will be provided on the exam.

Empiricism

A core epistemological concept listed for review on the Exam 1 study guide.

Basic research

A primary category of scientific investigation listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Applied research

A primary category of practical scientific investigation listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

System 1/System 2

A dual-process cognitive architecture concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Rational incapacity

A concept regarding limitations in reasoning capability listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Rational irrationality

A decision-making concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Hyperbolic discounting

A time-preference and decision-making bias concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Myopic preference

A short-sighted preference bias topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Taboo trade-off

A valuation and choice trade-off concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Axioms of rational choice theory

The foundational principles of rational decision-making listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Availability heuristic

A judgment heuristic topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Representativeness heuristic

A probability estimation heuristic topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Bias blind spot

A cognitive bias concept regarding one's own perception of bias listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Occam's razor

A principle of parsimony and explanation listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Conservatism bias

A belief-updating bias topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Planning fallacy

A cognitive bias related to task completion estimation listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Confirmation bias

A cognitive bias topic concerning evidence selection listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Positive bias

A cognitive bias topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Fake explanation

An explanatory fallacy topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Theory

A core scientific structure concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Hypothesis

A testable scientific prediction concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Independent variable

The manipulated variable concept in experimental design listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Dependent variable

The measured outcome variable concept in experimental design listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Prior probability

The initial probability assessment in Bayesian probability theory prior to new evidence, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Posterior probability

The updated probability assessment in Bayesian probability theory following new evidence, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Debriefing

An ethical procedures concept in research listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Naturalistic observation

A non-experimental research methodology listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Case study

An in-depth research design methodology listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Archival methods

A research methodology utilizing pre-existing records listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Content analysis

A qualitative and quantitative observational analysis method listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Reactivity

A methodology phenomenon where participants alter behavior due to observation, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Placebo

An experimental control condition concept listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Unobtrusive measures

Data collection techniques designed to prevent participant reactivity, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Biased sample

A sampling methodology limitation topic listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Survey

A self-report data collection methodology listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Psychological tests

Standardized assessment instruments listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Reliability

A key measurement evaluation criterion listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Random assignment

An experimental procedure to ensure equivalent participant groups, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Between-subjects design

An experimental design structure where different participants receive different conditions, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Within-subjects design

An experimental design structure where participants experience all conditions, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Correlational study

A research design that examines relationships between variables without manipulation, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Spurious correlation

A statistical relationship between variables that is not causally connected, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.

Double-blind

An experimental procedure where neither participants nor experimenters know group assignments, listed on the Exam 1 study guide.