Psych Quiz Study Guide

Study Guide Flashcards

True Experiment

An experimental design that involves random assignment of participants to different conditions, allowing for the establishment of cause-and-effect relationships.

Quasi Experiment

A research design that lacks random assignment, often used in real-world settings to study effects, but it does not allow for definitive cause-and-effect conclusions.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Research and Null Hypothesis

The research hypothesis is a statement predicting the relationship between variables, while the null hypothesis states there is no effect or relationship between them.

Independent Samples Design

A research design where two or more groups of participants are exposed to different levels of an independent variable, allowing for comparison between separate groups.

Repeat Measures Design

A research design in which the same participants are tested multiple times under different conditions, allowing for direct comparison of responses across those conditions.

Internal Validity

The degree to which a study accurately establishes a causal relationship between variables, minimizing the influence of confounding factors.

External Validity

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to, or have relevance for, settings, people, or times beyond the study. It reflects how applicable the findings are to real-world situations.

Construct Validity

The extent to which a test or measurement accurately reflects the theoretical concepts it is intended to measure. This includes evaluating whether the instruments used truly assess what they claim to assess.

Reliability

The consistency, stability, and reproducibility of a measurement or test over time and across different conditions

Generalizability

The degree to which research findings from a specific study can be applied to other people, settings, times, and real-world contexts beyond the original sample

Demand Characteristics

Subtle cues or experimental artifacts in a study that tip participants off to the researcher's hypotheses or expected outcomes, causing them to alter their natural behavior.

Reactivity

A phenomenon where individuals change their behavior, performance, or emotional responses because they know they are being observed, tested, or exposed to specific stressors.

Placebo

An inactive substance or fake treatment—such as a sugar pill, saline injection, or sham procedure—that has no direct therapeutic or medicinal value.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency of people to give socially acceptable answers on surveys instead of honest ones.

Fatigue Effect

A cognitive phenomenon where mental exhaustion causes the brain to abandon deep, analytical thinking in favor of simple, effortless mental shortcuts.

Practice Effect

The improvement in test performance that occurs when a person takes the same test or a similar test more than once.

Sampling Bias

An error that occurs when researchers choose study participants in a way that does not accurately represent the broader target population, making the results unrepresentative.

Volunteer Sampling

A non-probability recruitment method where participants actively choose to self-select and opt-in to a study on their own initiative.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where researchers recruit participants who are easiest to reach, readily available, and willing to participate.

Random Sampling

A method where researchers choose a subset of participants from a larger target population such that every individual has an equal and independent chance of being selected.

Stratified Sampling

A research method where a target population is divided into smaller, non-overlapping subgroups called strata based on shared characteristics like age, gender, or ethnicity, and participants are then randomly selected from each subgroup.

Informed Consent

The ongoing, interactive process where a researcher or mental health professional provides full, clear details about a study or treatment so a participant or client can make a voluntary, rational choice.

Anonymity

Individual data or responses collected from a participant cannot be traced back to their real-world, personal identity

Right to Withdraw

An ethical principle stating that research participants can leave a study or remove their data at any time without facing any penalty, pressure, or negative consequences.

Deception

Any intentional act that misleads, distorts facts, or withholds information to make someone believe what is not true.

Undue Stress or Harm

An ethical violation where research participants are exposed to physical or psychological risks that exceed what they encounter in their everyday lives.

Debrief

An informative conversation or structured session held with a participant or client after an experiment, study, or traumatic event concludes.