Chapter 1: Adjusting to Modern Life

Adjusting to Modern Life

Overt

Behaviors that are observable.

Covert

Behaviors that are not observable. Undercover.

Empiricism

Knowledge should be acquired through systemic observation rather than speculation, beliefs, or common sense

Experimental Research

Research to determine causes of behaviors. This type of research involves manipulating variables to observe effects on behavior in controlled settings.

Correlational Research

Research to determine relationships between behaviors

Independent Variable (IV)

The condition or event that an experimenter varies to see its impact on another variable.

Dependent Variable

The outcome variable of interest, the variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulation of the IV.

Experimental Group

Participants who receive some special treatment in regards to the IV, group that receives the treatment we are investigating.

Control Group

Participants who do not receive special treatment in regards to the IV.

Random Assignment

The process of randomly allocating participants to different groups in an experiment to ensure each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group, minimizing bias.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to 1.

Positive Correlation

A relationship where as one variable increases, the other variable also increases, indicating a direct association.

Negative Correlation

A relationship where as one variable increases, the other variable decreases, indicating an inverse association.

Fixed Mindset

A belief that abilities and intelligence are static and unchangeable, leading to a reluctance to embrace challenges or learn from failures.

Growth Mindset

A belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, fostering a love for learning and resilience in the face of challenges.