Experimental Psychology Review 1

What is experimental psychology, and how does it differ from other psychology classes?

Experimental psychology is a process course that focuses on how we know what we know through research methods. Other classes are content courses that teach what we know about a specific area (e.g., social, cognitive psychology)

What are three benefits of taking an experimental psychology course?

1. Foundational for understanding all other psychology courses.
2. Helps you become a critical consumer of scientific information.
3. Develops critical thinking skills and is essential for graduate school.

How is science different from relying on authority, reason, or personal experience?

Science is systematic, data-driven, and tests falsifiable hypotheses. Authority can be wrong, reason can be based on faulty assumptions, and personal experience is prone to cognitive biases.

How is science different from pseudoscience?

Pseudoscience lacks key features of science: it relies on anecdotes, sidesteps falsification, and is overly simplistic. Science welcomes scrutiny, is data-based, and is tentative.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to seek out and favor information that confirms our existing beliefs.

What is belief perseverance?

The tendency to maintain a belief even after evidence proving it false is presented.

What is the availability heuristic?

The tendency to estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind.

How do cognitive biases make personal experience an unreliable guide to knowledge?

They mean our observations are not objective. We selectively notice, remember, and interpret events to fit our pre-existing worldview, leading to inaccurate conclusions.

What is determinism? (Include statistical determinism)

The assumption that events have causes. Statistical determinism is the idea that events can be predicted with a probability greater than chance (but not 100% certainty).

What is discoverability?

The assumption that the causes of events can be discovered through the application of scientific methods.

What is the difference between basic and applied research?

Basic research increases fundamental knowledge. Applied research solves practical problems. Combined research is called translational research.

What is the difference between laboratory and field research?

Lab research is controlled but may lack realism. Field research occurs in real-world settings with more realism but less control.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

Quantitative uses numerical data to test hypotheses. Qualitative uses non-numerical data for deep understanding. A mixed-methods approach combines both.

In mixed-methods notation, what does QUAN → qual mean?

A quantitative phase is conducted first and is the priority, followed by a secondary qualitative phase.

What is the difference between a research question, a hypothesis, and a theory?

Research Q: A broad question. Hypothesis: A specific, testable prediction. Theory: A well-substantiated explanation built from many tested hypotheses.

Can a hypothesis or theory be proven true?

No. They are only supported or not supported by data. New data can always modify or falsify them.

What are the three properties of a "good" theory?

1. Falsifiable (can be proven wrong).
2. Parsimonious (as simple as possible).
3. Productive (generates new research and predictions).

What is the "productivity" of a theory?

Its ability to generate a large amount of new research and novel predictions.

What are the four goals of psychological research?

Describe, Predict, Explain, Apply.

What is the "Explain" goal of research?

To identify the causes of behavior.

What are the five general principles of the APA ethics code?

1. Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
2. Fidelity & Responsibility
3. Integrity
4. Justice
5. Respect for Rights & Dignity

What is a pilot study and why is it used?

A small-scale trial run of a study. Benefit: To work out problems and test procedures before the full study.

What is a manipulation check and why is it used?

A measure to verify that an independent variable was manipulated successfully. Benefit: To ensure effects are due to the intended manipulation.

What is a confederate and why are they used?

A person who works for the experimenter and pretends to be a participant. Benefit: To create a specific social situation in a standardized way.

What was the main ethical violation in Milgram's obedience study?

Lack of protection from psychological harm. Participants experienced extreme stress, anxiety, and guilt.

What is an IRB and what is its function?

Institutional Review Board. Its function is to review, approve, and monitor research to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects.

What is the key difference between information on an Informed Consent form and a Debriefing form?

Debriefing includes everything in consent PLUS the true purpose of the study, a full description of any deception, and dehoaxing/desensitization.

Do children give informed consent to participate in research?

No. Children provide assent. Informed consent must be obtained from their parent or legal guardian.

What is dehoaxing?

The process of explaining any deception that was used in the study to the participant.

What is desensitization?

The process of reducing any stress or negative emotions a participant may have experienced during the study.

What is a major PRO of internet-based research?

Access to large, diverse samples quickly and efficiently.

What is a major CON of internet-based research?

Less control over the environment and inability to verify participant identity.

What is the equivalent of an IRB for research involving non-human animals?

IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee).

What is the difference between mundane realism and experimental realism?

Mundane realism: How similar the study is to real life. Experimental realism: How engaging and impactful the study feels to the participant. Experimental realism is more important for validity.

What is a conceptual definition?

A theoretical definition of a construct; describes what it is (e.g., "Hunger is the feeling of needing to eat.").

What is an operational definition?

A specific definition of how a variable will be measured or manipulated (e.g., "Hunger is hours since last meal.").

If studies use different operational definitions but find similar results, should we be more or less confident in the theory?

More confident. This is a conceptual replication, showing the finding is robust and not dependent on one method.

What is serendipity in science?

Making fortunate and unexpected discoveries by accident.

What is parsimony (Occam's Razor)?

The principle that the simplest theory that explains all the evidence is the best one.

What is the function of replication in science?

To verify the reliability and validity of previous findings. It separates true effects from flukes.

What is the difference between a direct replication and a conceptual replication?

Direct: Repeats the study exactly. Conceptual: Tests the same hypothesis using different methods.

Is experimental psychology training important for clinical or counseling graduate programs?

Yes. Even applied programs require consumers of research to practice evidence-based techniques. All scientists need to understand research methods.

What is a construct?

A concept deliberately invented for scientific purpose; complex and not directly observable (e.g., intelligence, anxiety).

What is a variable?

A property that can vary and is measured or manipulated in research. Operational definitions turn constructs into variables.