Unit 0 Science Practice AP Psych Vocab

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