Cultural Norm
The unwritten rules in a society
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s beliefs
Hindsight Bias
Our tendency after an event has occurred to overestimate the extent to which we could’ve predicted it
Overconfidence
When you think you know more than you actually know
Independent Variable
The thing that is being changed
Dependent Variable
The measured outcome of the changes
Confounding Variables
A variable that can interefere with the dependent and independent variables
Random Assignment
A method that helps ensure an equal chance of being in either group to prevent bias
Case Study
An observational data collection method that identifies behavioral or cognitive qualities
Correlation
A mutual relationship or connection between 2+ things
Positive Correlation
Scores go up and down together
Negative Correlation
One score will go up while the other will go down
Meta-analysis
A quantitative research method that uses the combination of multiple studies to create a single result
Naturalistic Observation
When humans or animals are observed in their own setting and are unaware
Hypothesis
A testable statement / a tentative explanation for something
Falsifiable
The logical possibility it can be proven false by an observation or experiment
Operational Definitions
The way an experimenter defines the vague parts of an experiment’s hypothesis
Replication
An experiment done with different participants. If results yield similar, the research’s reliability grows
Central Tendency
A summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value to represent it’s central distribution
Variation
Qualitative differences in form, structure, behavior, or physiology
Percentile Rank
The percentage of individuals with scores at or below the particular value
Mean
The average of values
Median
The “middle” value
Mode
The value that appeared the most
Range
The difference between the max value and the min value
Normal Curve
A bell-shaped distribution that describes the frequency of natural occurrences and phenomenons
Positive Skew
When there is too many low scores, causing it to be skewed right
Negative Skew
When there are too many high scores, causing it to be skewed left
Standard Deviation
The average difference between each score in the data set and mean
Regression toward the mean
The tendency for outliers to become closer to the mean over time upon retesting
Random Sampling
A method where each person is equally likely to be selected in a sample
Convenience Sampling
A qualitative method that selects participants based on availability and accessibility
Generalizing
The tendency to respond in the same way to different but similar stimuli
Experimental Group
The group in the experiment that gets special treatment
Control Group
The group in the experiment that does not get special treatment
Placebo
A fake pill or treatment that has no effect
Placebo Effect
When a person’s mental health or ability seems to improve after taking a placebo
Single-Blind Study
A study where the participant does not know whether they are in the experiment or control group
Double-Blind Study
A study where both the participant and experimenter does not know whether they are in the experiment or control group
Experimenter bias
When the experimenter’s expectations, beliefs, or notions unintentionally influence the outcome
Social Desirability Bias
When respondents give answers that they believe will make them look good
Qualitative Research / Measures
A method of research that produces descriptive data
Structured Interviews
A quantitative method where the interviewer reads exactly whats on the interview form
Quantitative Research / Measures
A method of research that measures variables using a numerical system
Likert Scale
A rating scale used to measure opinions, attitudes, or behaviors
Representation of Participants
A synonym for a representative sample
Peer Review
A process that checks the quality and validity of the research
Scatterplot
A graph showing data for 2+ variables in dots
Correlation Coefficient
The measure of the extent and direction of the relationship between 2 sets of scores
Effect Size
Tells you how meaningful the relationship is between variables or the difference between groups
Statistical Significance
Helps explain if the results are due to manipulation or by pure luck and chance (P-Value)
Third Variable Problem
When another variable causes both variables to either increase or decrease
Informed Consent
The agreement to partake in an experiment or study
Protection from Harm
A value in the ethic guidlines
Confidentiality
When the information about participants are kept secret
Deception
When you lie to participants. You cannot invalidate their consent or it’ll go against the Ethic Guidlines
Debriefing
When you must explain the deception and the true purpose behind it