Unit 0 Scientific foundations of Psychology

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Empirical data

Derived from research

Anecdotal data

derived from word-of-mouth/ personal stories

Hindsight bias

“I knew it all along“ phenomenon

Overconfidence

We tend to think we know more than we do

confirmation bias

tendency to more eagerly search for information that confirms a personal bias rather than refutes it

Illusory Correlations

The tendency to perceive order or patterns in random events

Regression towards the mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to regress towards the mean/ return to average.(Extraordinary happenings are usually followed by more ordinary ones). Failure to recognize regression can lead to superstitious thinking (winning a game due to a pair of socks).

Theory

An explanation that integrates ideas, organizes observations and predicts behavior or events.(Ex: Sleep boosts memory)

Peer review

Scientific experts who evaluate a research articles theory, originality and accuracy

Hypothesis

A testable statement of prediction, enabling us to accept, reject or revise the theory. (Ex. Sleep deprived people will remember less from the day before)

Falsifiability

the falsifiability of a hypothesis (Can it be proven false?) is a mark of its scientific strength

Quantitative research methods

A research method that relies on quantifiable, numerical data.

Qualitative research methods

A research method that relies on in depth narrative data

Operational definitions

Specify exactly what you are researching so a new researcher could replicate your study EXACTLY (Ex: sleep deprived: 3 hours sleep less than usual nights sleep)

case study

One person (or a unique group) is studied in depth to reveal underlying behavioral principles

surveys

A technique for gaining the self-reported attitudes, opinions or behaviors of people. (usually done by questioning a representative, random sample of people. This means every person has an equal chance of inclusion)(Pulling names out of a hat and random number generator )

Sampling bias

flawed sampling process(convenience sampling) that produces an unrepresentative sample that makes it difficult to generalize results

social desirability bias

people answering in a way they thin will please the researcher

self-report bias

people don’t accurately report their behaviors

wording effects

questions may be misinterpreted depending on how they are presented

Naturalistic observations

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

Structured interviews

Include a set list of questions that should be asked in a fixed order

Correlational method

investigating the degree of relationship between two existing variables(ie. traits, behaviors or events)

experimental method

A formal trial undertaken to confirm or disconfirm a hypothesis as well as identify a cause and effect relationship

Correlation

When one trait or behavior accompanies another, we say the two correlate(CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION)

Bidirectionality problem

(EX. low self esteem could cause depression. Depression could also cause low self esteem)

Third variable problem

(EX: distressing events or biological predisposition could cause both low self esteem and depression)

positive correlation

2 variables relate directly to each other, they tend to increase and decrease together

Negative correlation

2 variables relate indirectly to each other. When one increases, the other decrease

Correlation coefficient(r value)

A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables

True experiment

1. independent variable is manipulated

2. participants are randomly assigned to conditions

3. can state cause and effect

Quasi experiment

1. unable to randomly assign participants to conditions

2. cant state cause and effect

3. (variable being researched is based on pre-existing personal traits such as gender/race/ and occupation)

random assignment

Each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. (Random assignment is important because it reduces confounding variables-variables that might affect the DV, minimizes pre-existing differences between the two groups)

blind procedure

participants or researcher remain blind(uninformed) of the treatment, if any, they are receiving/measuring

Double blind procedure

participants & research staff are both blind to which participants had the real treatment and which had the placebo

Placebo effect

positive expectations about getting some form of treatment can actually improve your symptoms

Mean

The average