IB Psychology Unit 1

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes

Artifacts

Results that could result from unforeseen factors

Behaviour

Everything that can be registered by an independent observer

Mental Processes

“Behind the scenes” processes such as attention, perception, memory, and thinking

Nomothetic Approach

Approach that aims to derive universal laws

Quantitative research

Approach that operates with variables

Variables

Something that can take on varying values. It is objectively registered and quantified

Operationalized

Defining characteristics that are not directly observable.(i.e fear, excitement, hope, etc.) Distinction between constructs and operationalizations.

Experimental Studies

Experiment includes one independent and one dependent variable.

Independent Variable(IV)

Is being manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable(DV)

Expected to change as the IV changes

Cause-and-effect inferences

Can only be done in experiments, as the setting is highly controlled.

Correlational Studies

Variables are measured, and relationship between them is quantified.

Descriptive Studies

Variable approached separately. Looking for the distribution of answers to a particular question. Used to delve deeper into the specifics

Qualitative Research

In-depth study of a particular phenomenon. Makes use of data collection methods such as interviews or observations.

Idiographic Approach

Analysis of a phenomenon without trying to derive universally applicable laws.

Sample

Group of individuals taking part of a research study. 

Sampling

Process of finding and recruiting individuals for the study

Credibility

Degree to which results of a study can be trusted to reflect reality

Bias(in research)

personal stake or care in the outcome/results of a study

Generalizability

Extent to which the results of a study can be applied beyond the sample.

Sampling in Experimental and Correlational Studies

Random, Stratified, Self-Selected, and Opportunity

Sampling in Qualitative studies

Quota sampling, purposive sampling, theoretical sampling, snowball sampling, convenience sampling

Generalizability in Experimental Studies

Population, Ecological Validity, and Construct validity

Generalizability in Correlational Studies

Population and Construct Validity

Generalizability in Qualitative Research

Sample-to-population, generalization, case-to-case generalization, and theoretical generalization

Credibility in Experimental Studies

Internal validity and controlling confounding variables

Credibility in Correlational Studies

Is high, if no bias occurs.

Credibility in qualitative research

Triangulation, establishing a rapport, iterative questioning, reflexivity, credibility checks, and thick descriptions

Bias in Experimental Studies

Threats to internal validity:
Selection, History, Maturation, Testing effect, Instrumentation, Regression to the mean, Experimental mortality, Experimenter bias, and demand characteristics

Bias in Correlation Studies

Curvilinear relationships, the third variable problem, and spurious correlations

bias in qualitative research

Participant bias:

• Acquiescence

• Social Desirability

• Dominant respondent

• Sensitivity

Researcher bias:

• Confirmation bias

• Leading questions bias

• Question order bias

• Sampling bias

• Biased reporting

Confounding variables

Variables that can potentially distort the relationship between the IV and DV

Target population

The group that the findings of the study are meant to be generalized to

Representativeness

The property that the sample is a accurate representation of the target population

Random Sampling

Any part of the target audience has an equal chance of  being selected as a part of the population

Stratified Sampling

Theory-driven, having the characteristics that perfectly reflect your target population

Convenience Sampling

Sampling fropm your direct surroundings/community