Studied by 17 people
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
Note 
Flashcard (24)