AP Psychology Unit 2

Survey

a technique for ascertaining the self- reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Scatterplot

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.

Mode

the most frequently occurring score (s) in a distribution.

Double-blind procedure

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 the placebo.

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.

Operational definition

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study.

Hindsight Bias

tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.

Humble open

________- mindedness- accept and listen to ideas from all sides.

Correlation Coefficient

a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from- 1.0 to +1.0)

Coin flip you

________ are just as likely to get heads every time than a bunch of random results.

Hypothesis

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Skeptical scrutinization

________- dont blindly believe everything.

Validity

the extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to.

Correlation

a measure of the extent to which two factors change together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Single

________- blind: person in experiment does not know which group they are in.

Standard Deviation

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Political ads

________- know their hidden agenda, evaluate their evidence, know that a lot is taken out of context, make your own conclusions.

Median

the middle score in a distribution, half the scores are above it and half are below it.

Population

________- hard to ask every single person in the ________, so use a sample.

Case Study

a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Mean

the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Sampling bias

a flawed sampling process that is produced by using an unrepresentative sample.

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)

Inferential Statistics

numerical data that allow one to generalize—to infer from sample data the probability of something being true to a population.

Theory

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

Representative samples

________ are better than biased samples.

Illusory Correlation

the perception of a relationship where none exists.

Confounding Variable

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Descriptive Statistics

numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups.

Skewed Distribution

a(n) representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Placebo Effect

experimental results caused by expectation alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Histogram

a bar graph depicting a frequency distribution.

Statistical Significance

a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Critical thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions.

Naturalistic observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Overconfidence

we tend to think we know more than we do.

Hindsight bias

________, overconfidence, and our tendency to perceive patterns in random events lead us to overestimate our intuition.

Correlation

________ does not mean causation, it only helps to predict.

Independent Variable

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

The Scientific Attitude

Curious, Skeptical, and Humble

Very time

and cost-intensive-putting all your eggs in one basket

Single-blind

person in experiment does not know which group they are in

Normal curve

a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scored fall near the mean (68 percent fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Range

the difference between the highest and lowest score in a distribution

Control group

in an experiment, the group that is NOT exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of a treatment

Experimental group

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

Culture

the enduring behavior, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Informed consent

an ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Debriefing

the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

population

all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn (note: except for national studies, this does not refer to the entire population of a country)

random sample

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

random assignment

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

dependent variable

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable