AP Psych, Unit 1 Research Methods Vocab

Overconfidence

The tendency to be more confident than correct- to overestimate the accuracy of one's beliefs and judgements. We tend to think we know more than we do.

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. The "I knew it all along" phenomenon; the idea that memory can change in response to what happens.

Naturalistic Observation

Used to describe and predict. Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation. The observer does not affect the subjects in any way.

Survey

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them. Looks at many cases in less depth; asks people to report their behavior or opinions. Surveys can be tricky: people can lie, questions can be poorly phrased, questions can be framed, or there could be sampling errors. However it is an inexpensive, easy way to get mass amounts of data.

Case Study

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles. Looks at all aspects of a person's life. Usually used for unusual studies, which means you then can't generalize back to the larger population.

Experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on a behavior or mental process. The researcher controls what is going on and directly manipulates the conditions.

Quasi-experiment

Similar to an experiment but there is no random assignment. Pre-existing conditions create groups, such as race, gender, experiences, etc. Suggests causality.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory. These predictions give direction to research. They specify what results would support the theory and what results would dis confirm it.

Experimental group or condition

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Control group or condition

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Random Selection

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Increased the likelihood that the sample represents the population and that one can generalize the findings to the larger population.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, minimizing pre-existing differences between groups. There is an equal chance for subjects to be in any group.

Independent Variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Dependent Variable

The experimental factor- in psychology, the behavior or mental process- that is being measured; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Operational Definition

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. Allows others to replicate their experiments/observations. Stated in terms of how the concepts are to be measured or what operations are being employed to produce them.

Population

All the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study.

Sample

A group of participants who are assumed to be representative of the population about which an inference is being made.

Subjects

Those being observed in an experiment, case study, naturalistic observation, etc.

Confounding Variable

Variables that have an unwanted influence on the outcome of an experiment.

Placebo Effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which is assumed to be an active agent. Just thinking one is getting a treatment can boost one's spirits, relax one's body, and lead to symptom relief.

Experimenter Bias

The unconscious tendency for researchers to treat members of the experimental and control groups differently to increase the chance of confirming their hypothesis.

Double blind study

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.

Single blind study

A procedure in which only the subjects do not know which group they have been assigned to. This minimizes the effect of response or participant bias where subjects have the tendency to behave a certain way.

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Generalizability

Extent to which the findings of one group (or sample) can be generalized or applied to other groups (the population).

Ethics of Testing

1. Informed consent

2. Confidentiality

3. Debrief- tell subjects what the hypothesis is or of any deception involved in the experiment

4. Subjects may withdraw at any time