Intelligence and Research Methods Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the Intelligence and Research Methods module in AP Psych.

Psychometric approaches

Measure intelligence using standardized tests and questionnaires.

Multiple intelligences

Propose that intelligence is multifaceted and can be nurtured.

General intelligence (g factor)

Spearman's theory of a single, general ability.

Systemic issues

Address quantitative and qualitative aspects of intelligence.

L.L Thurstone’s Theory of Intelligence

Proposed that intelligence consists of several primary mental abilities, rather than a single general factor. These abilities included: verbal comprehension, numerical ability, associative memory, reasoning, perceptual speed, fluency, and spatial visualization.

Fluid Intelligence (Gf)

The ability to reason speedily and abstractly, tends to decrease with age.

Crystallized Intelligence (Gc)

Accumulated knowledge and verbal skills, tends to increase with age.

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

Measures intelligence using a formula: mental age ÷ chronological age × 100. Determines whether children require educational services.

Standardization (Psychometric Principle)

Defining uniform testing procedures and meaningful scores by comparison with the performance of a pretested group.

Construct validity (Psychometric Principle)

When a test measures a certain concept accurately.

Predictive validity (Psychometric Principle)

When a test is able to predict future performance.

Test-retest reliability

Retesting with the same test to see if you get a similar score.

Split half reliability

Agreement of odd-numbered question scores and even-numbered question scores and test the alternatives forms of the test.

Socio-cultural responsiveness

Addresses biases and ensures that assessments are culturally fair. Makes sure results in the end are interpreted accurately.

Stereotype lift

Performance boost caused by the awareness that an outgroup is negatively stereotyped.

Flynn Effect

The rise in intelligence test performance over time and across cultures.

Sociocultural biases

The tendency to judge or interpret situations, behaviors, or people based on one's own cultural background.

Poverty discrimination

Unfair or biased treatment of individuals based on their low socioeconomic status.

Educational inequalities

The unequal distribution of academic resources.

Achievement tests

Assessments designed to measure what someone has learned in a specific subject area. Used to evaluate academic progress or skills in a particular discipline such as work.

Aptitude tests

Assessments designed to measure an individual's natural abilities and potential to succeed in a particular field.

Fixed mindset

The view that intelligence, abilities, and talents are unchangeable, even with effort.

Growth mindset

A focus on learning and growing rather than viewing abilities as fixed.

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.

Overconfidence

When we tend to think that we know more than we actually do.

False Consensus Effect

A cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate how many others share their beliefs, attitudes, and behavior.

Replication

The process of repeating a study to determine whether the original findings can be reliably reproduced. In other words, all experiments must be able to be retested in order to validate their conclusions and ensure accuracy.

Falsifiable

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment.

Qualitative research

Research that relies on in-depth, narrative data that is not translated into numbers.

Quantitative research

Research that relies on numerical data.

Independent variable

A variable in an experiment that is modified.

Dependent variable

A variable in an experiment that results depend on the independent variable.

Confounding variable

In an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results.

Experiments

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process.

Correlational studies

A type of research method that looks at the relationships between two or more variables. Typically in the AP Psychology realm, surveys fall under this classification.

Naturalistic Observation

A non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to control the situation.

Case Study

A non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Meta-analysis

A statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies to reach an overall conclusion.

Random sampling

Selecting people randomly for an experiment.

Random assignment

Selecting people randomly for different groups within a study.

Scatterplots

A graphed cluster of dots representing the values of two variables.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1.00 to +1.00).

Experimental group

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment.

Control group

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment.

Single blind study

An experimental procedure in which the research participants are ignorant about whether or not they received the treatment or the placebo.

Double blind study

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.

Placebo effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone.

Mean (Measure of Central Tendency)

Arithmetic average of a distribution.

Mode (Measure of Central Tendency)

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.

Median (Measure of Central Tendency)

The middle score in a distribution.

P value

What indicates the probability of the results (.05 or less often indicates a non-significant probability)

Skewed distribution

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Normal Bell Curve

A symmetrical, bell shaped curve describes the distribution of many types of data.

Percentile rank

The percentage of scores that are lower than a given score.

Effect size

The strength of the relationship between two variables.

Ethical behavior

Actions and decisions that align with moral principles and values.

Generalizability

A measure of how useful the results of a study are for a broader group of people or situations.