psych inquiry

What is psychology?

The scientific study of human emotions, cognitive ability, and biological functions to understand thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and reactions.

What are the two aspects of psychology?

Discipline (the study of psychology) and Profession (the job of a psychologist).

Define the scientific method.

A systematic, empirical process for exploring observations, answering questions, and testing hypotheses to understand cause-and-effect relationships.

What is empiricism in science?

Knowledge derived from direct observation, experimentation, and data, rather than opinion.

What does objectivity mean in scientific research?

The absence of bias in the search for and evaluation of knowledge.

What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

Theories and hypotheses must be able to be proven wrong.

What is scientific skepticism?

A careful consideration that includes an open mind, acceptance of claims only with adequate evidence, willingness to change one's mind, and rejection of claims based solely on authority.

What is pseudoscience?

Claims that pose as scientific but lack empirical support and validity.

What is psychological literacy?

The intentional application of psychological science to meet personal, professional, and societal goals.

What is self-regulated learning (SRL)?

A process through which students actively drive their own learning, involving emotional, behavioral, metacognitive, and motivational processes.

What are the two main types of research methods in psychology?

Quantitative (numeric data) and Qualitative (non-numeric, descriptive data).

What does WEIRD stand for in psychology research?

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic.

What is generalizability in research?

The extent to which research findings from a specific sample can be applied to a broader population or different settings.

What is the significance of replication in psychological studies?

To verify whether psychological knowledge applies across diverse samples and contexts.

How do indigenous ways of knowing differ from traditional Western knowledge?

They emphasize interconnection between people, communities, and the environment, and include both tangible and intangible phenomena.

What is the SEWB model in psychology?

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing model, which emphasizes healthy connections across various domains such as family, community, and spirituality.

What is the role of evidence-based interventions in psychology?

To assess human functioning and develop effective strategies for psychological practice.

What challenges do traditional scientific principles face in psychology?

Complexity of human behavior, limitations of objectivity, and the inability to directly observe certain mental processes.

What organizations have apologized for racism in psychology?

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) in 2017 and the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2021.

What is cultural competence?

The ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from different cultures, recognizing diversity and adapting personal behaviors.

Define cultural responsiveness.

The application of cultural competence in various contexts.

What does cultural humility entail?

Recognizing that no one can fully understand all aspects of a cultural group and committing to self-reflection and learning.

What is reflexivity in psychology?

Reflecting on one's own background, experiences, and beliefs, and how they impact research and work.

What are empirical investigations in psychology aimed at?

Measuring and learning about human behavior, evaluating predictions, and refining theories.

What is a variable in research?

A characteristic that can take on different values and can be measured.

Differentiate between independent and dependent variables.

Independent variable: predictor or cause; Dependent variable: outcome or effect.

What are numeric variables?

Variables that represent scores or values on a numeric scale.

What are categorical variables?

Variables that represent distinct categories or types.

What type of research method is used to establish cause-and-effect relationships?

Experimental methods.

What is the key feature of quasi-experimental methods?

Participants are assigned to conditions based on non-random criteria.

What is the benefit of experimental methods?

Randomization minimizes bias and averages out pre-existing differences between groups.

What is a common limitation of experimental methods?

They can be expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes impossible to implement due to ethical concerns.

What does the term 'covariance' refer to in causal research?

The existence of a relationship between the cause and effect.

What is meant by 'temporal precedence'?

The cause must occur before the effect in time.

What is the challenge in excluding alternate explanations?

It is often difficult to eliminate other potential causes of the effect.

What is the purpose of correlational research methods?

To investigate associations between two or more variables.

What does the term 'group comparison' refer to?

Comparing different groups to understand differences in variables.

In the context of personality research, what are FFM traits?

The Five Factor Model traits that include Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Extraversion.

What does it mean if a personality trait is associated with job earnings?

Certain traits, like Conscientiousness, can predict job performance and earnings.

What is the significance of the English/Romanian Adoption Study?

It used a quasi-experimental method to rule out confounding variables related to parental education and occupation.

What is the aim of measuring personality traits?

To quantify traits on a scale and understand their impact on behavior and outcomes.

What is the role of self-assessment in cultural competence?

It involves recognizing one's own biases and adapting behaviors accordingly.

What is the importance of acknowledging uncomfortable histories in psychology?

It fosters a more responsible psychological science and encourages critical reflection.

What is a common qualitative research method?

Interviews or focus groups that collect non-numeric data.

What is a quantitative research method?

Approaches that collect numeric data, such as surveys or standardized tests.

What are the two main types of research designs in psychological inquiry?

Quantitative and qualitative designs.

What type of data do quantitative research methods collect?

Numeric data, such as from surveys or standardized tests.

What type of data do qualitative research methods collect?

Non-numeric (descriptive) data, such as from interviews or focus groups.

What is the difference between self-report and observational methods?

Self-report involves participants providing their own data, while observational methods involve researchers recording behaviors.

Define cross-sectional research.

An observational research method that analyzes data from a population at a single point in time.

Define longitudinal research.

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same subjects over an extended period.

What is the aim of a research study?

A broad overview of what the study intends to achieve.

What is a research question (RQ)?

A specific question that the study aims to answer.

What is a research hypothesis?

A testable prediction of what the study expects to find.

What is the difference between a population and a sample?

A population is the wider group of interest, while a sample is a selection from that population participating in the study.

What does external validity refer to?

The extent to which study findings can be generalized from the sample to the broader population.

What is operationalization in research?

The process of strictly defining abstract concepts into measurable, observable variables.

How does quantitative research differ from qualitative research in terms of data collection?

Quantitative research uses operational definitions to translate ideas into variables, while qualitative research uses conceptual definitions and develops indicators.

What is correlation in research?

The strength of the relationship between two variables, which can be positive or negative.

What does a positive correlation indicate?

Higher scores on one variable are associated with higher scores on the other variable.

What does a negative correlation indicate?

Higher scores on one variable are associated with lower scores on the other variable.

What is the purpose of a scatterplot?

To visually represent the correlation between two variables.

What is statistical significance?

A measure of whether a pattern or association observed in a sample likely exists in the population.

What does a small p-value indicate?

A low probability that the observed pattern in the sample occurred by chance, suggesting the pattern likely exists in the population.

What is the difference between statistical significance and effect size?

Statistical significance indicates whether a difference exists, while effect size measures the magnitude of that difference.

What is qualitative research primarily focused on?

Understanding, exploring, and contextualizing human behavior and experiences.

What is 'thick data' in qualitative research?

Descriptive qualitative data that captures the complexity of human behavior, including context and intentionality.

What are the different types of qualitative methods?

Interviews, focus groups, observation, and participatory methods.

What is participatory research?

Research designs that involve collaboration with those affected by the issue being studied for action or change.

What does indigenous research prioritize?

The beliefs and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, focusing on community capacity and cultural revitalization.

What is yarning in indigenous research?

A storytelling methodology used to share knowledge and experiences.

What is yarning in qualitative research?

A conversational process that involves sharing stories and developing knowledge, prioritizing indigenous ways of communicating.

What is the purpose of interviews in qualitative research?

To elicit participants' experiences in depth.

What is a semi-structured interview?

An interview format that adapts questions based on participants' responses.

Why are open-ended questions important in qualitative research?

They allow participants to express their thoughts and experiences freely.

What does 'valence' refer to in the context of interview questions?

The positivity or negativity of interview questions that need to be balanced.

Why is rapport important in interviews?

A good relationship between interviewer and interviewee enhances the quality of responses.

What are the typical stages of an interview?

Introduction and warm-up, exploration of the core phenomenon, reflections and wrap-up.

What is the focus of qualitative data analysis?

To analyze data for themes or meaning rather than aggregating findings.

What is reflexivity in qualitative research?

The process of self-reflecting on one's perspectives and how they impact research.

What does internal validity refer to?

The degree to which a study's methods accurately demonstrate cause-and-effect.

What is external validity?

The degree to which study findings can be generalized beyond the specific sample or context.

How do qualitative and quantitative research methods differ in terms of validity?

Qualitative methods typically have higher external validity, while quantitative methods have higher internal validity.

What is primary research?

Research that involves designing a study and collecting new empirical data.

What is research synthesis?

A review of existing data to summarize evidence across multiple primary studies.

What is a systematic review?

A method that systematically identifies and summarizes literature on a particular topic.

What is meta-analysis?

A statistical analysis of primary research results.

What is the significance of replicating scientific findings?

To ensure reliability and consistency of the results across different studies.

What is the role of pseudonyms in qualitative research?

To protect participant identities and maintain confidentiality.

What is the importance of ethical principles in research?

To guide researchers in conducting studies that respect participants and ensure integrity.

What does 'memoing' refer to in qualitative data analysis?

The process of writing notes or memos to acknowledge the researcher's perspective and interpretation.

What is the difference between primary research and research synthesis?

Primary research collects new data, while research synthesis reviews and summarizes existing data.

What is the significance of balancing positive and negative questions in interviews?

To obtain a well-rounded understanding of participants' experiences.

What is the purpose of qualitative data analysis?

To provide a richer, more complex interpretation of data rather than generalizing findings.

What does 'participant identification' refer to in qualitative research?

Avoiding the identification of participants to maintain confidentiality.

What is the impact of the researcher's subjectivity on qualitative research?

It acknowledges bias and influences the interpretation of data, which is valued in qualitative research.

What is the significance of the introduction and warm-up phase in interviews?

To build rapport and ease participants into the conversation.

How do qualitative researchers report their findings?

By describing common themes and experiences rather than aggregating data.

What is the primary ethical concern in research involving human participants?

Balancing the benefits of research with the risks to participants.

What was the purpose of the Facebook Study by Kramer et al. (2014)?

To test whether emotional contagion occurs through social networks by manipulating emotional content in users' News Feeds.