AP Psych Unit 0 Vocab

Critical Thinking

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions; examines assumptions, assesses sources, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it (the "I

Peer Reviewers

Scientific experts who evaluate research for possible publication to ensure quality and validity

Theory

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Operational Definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study to define variables

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced

Case Study

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Naturalistic Observation

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

Survey

A descriptive technique for obtaining the self

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency of research participants to give socially acceptable responses rather than truthful ones

Self

Report Bias

Sampling Bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Population

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from

Variable

Any factor that can vary in amount or kind

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots, each representing the values of two variables

Illusory Correlation

Perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger

Regression Toward the Mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back toward the average

Experiment

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

Experimental Group

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment (the independent variable)

Control Group

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, minimizing preexisting differences

Single

Blind Procedure

Double

Blind Procedure

Placebo Effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition

Independent Variable

In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Confounding Variable

A factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study's results

Experimenter Bias

The unconscious tendency for researchers to treat members of the experimental and control groups differently to increase the chance of confirming their hypothesis

Dependent Variable

In an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Validity

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Quantitative Research

Research that uses numerical data and statistical analysis

Qualitative Research

Research that focuses on collecting and analyzing non

Informed Consent

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Debriefing

The post

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups (includes measures of central tendency and variation)

Histogram

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Mode

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Mean

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

Median

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Percentile Rank

The percentage of scores in a distribution that a specific score is greater than or equal to

Skewed Distribution

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Normal Curve

A symmetrical, bell

Inferential Statistics

Numerical data that allow one to generalize and make inferences from samples to populations

Meta

Analysis

Statistical Significance

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Effect Size

A statistical measure of the magnitude of an experimental effect