Psych AP Chapter 1 applied

You predict you'll ace a test despite barely studying. What is this?

Overconfidence.

You only read reviews supporting your belief that a supplement works. What is this?

Confirmation bias.

After seeing a surprising result, you say you knew it would happen. What is this?

Hindsight bias.

You assume most classmates agree with your opinion. What is this?

False consensus.

A researcher deeply investigates one person with a rare memory ability. What method is this?

Case study.

A researcher watches children playing at a park without intervening. What method is this?

Naturalistic observation.

A survey asks how much you love your excellent school. What is the problem?

Loaded terms because the wording encourages a positive response.

A survey asks if you like your teachers and school lunches. What is the problem?

Double barreled question because it asks about two topics.

A question asks whether you disagree that homework is not useless. What is the problem?

Double negative because multiple negatives confuse the meaning.

More sleep is associated with better grades. Does this prove sleep causes better grades?

No, other factors such as health or study habits may explain the relationship.

Ice cream sales and drownings both increase in summer. What could explain this?

Hot weather is a third variable that can increase both swimming and ice cream sales.

More exercise is associated with less stress. What correlation is this?

Negative correlation.

More study time is associated with higher test scores. What correlation is this?

Positive correlation.

A scatterplot's points cluster around an upward sloping line. What does this suggest?

Positive correlation.

A scatterplot's points cluster around a downward sloping line. What does this suggest?

Negative correlation.

What does a line of best fit help you identify?

The overall linear trend in the data.

A researcher's expectations influence which behaviors they record. What is this?

Observer bias.

A researcher claims video games cause aggression based only on a correlation. What is the error?

Assuming causation from correlation.

You think everyone shares your preference because your friends do. What is this?

False consensus.

A researcher observes behavior in a normal setting but cannot control other factors. What method and limitation apply?

Naturalistic observation, which may be affected by uncontrolled variables.

You believe two unrelated events are connected because they happened together repeatedly. What is this?

Illusory correlation.

A study finds that stress and poor sleep are related. Does it show which causes the other?

No, this is the directionality problem.

A researcher asks a neutral question but surveys only their own friends. What is the concern?

Sampling bias because the sample may not represent the wider population.

What is one way to improve critical thinking?

Question assumptions, seek alternative explanations, and evaluate the evidence.