PSYC 101 Ch.2

Intuition

The ability to reach a conclusion without effortful reasoning or evidence, often based on personal experience or emotion.

Research methods in psychology

Studying research methods to identify misleading claims, be smarter consumers, and accurately interpret and understand studies.

Scientific method

A procedure for using empirical evidence to establish facts, involving theory development, hypothesis testing, and gathering empirical evidence.

Empiricism

The conviction that accurate knowledge of the world can be acquired through observation.

Dogmatism

The tendency to cling to one's beliefs, often without considering new evidence or alternative viewpoints.

Theory

An explanation of natural phenomena that guides scientific inquiry.

Hypothesis

A falsifiable prediction made by a theory that can be tested through observation and experimentation.

Falsifiable

A hypothesis or theory that can be proven untrue through empirical evidence.

Third-variable problem

The issue where a third variable might be causing the correlation between two other variables.

Operational definition

A description of a property in measurable terms, ensuring a concept can be accurately observed and measured.

Construct validity

The extent to which an operational definition accurately measures the intended property.

Power in research

The ability of a measurement tool to detect the presence of differences or changes in the property being measured.

Reliability in research

The consistency of a measurement tool in detecting the same results under the same conditions.

Observer bias

When an observer's expectations influence what they believe they observe.

Double-blind study

A study where neither the researchers nor participants know which condition participants are in.

Demand characteristic

Aspects of an observational setting that cause participants to behave in a way they think the researcher expects.

Naturalistic observation

A research technique where participants are observed in their natural environments without their knowledge.

Confound

A variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables, complicating causal inferences.

Case study

A research method involving in-depth study of a single individual to gain insights into specific behaviors or phenomena.

Random sampling

A technique for selecting participants ensuring every member of a population has an equal chance to be included.

Replication

The process of repeating an experiment with a new sample from the same population to confirm original findings.

Internal validity

The degree to which an experiment allows accurate conclusions about causal relationships within the study.

External validity

The extent to which findings of an experiment can be generalized to other settings, populations, or times.

Sample in research

A partial collection of people drawn from a population for research purposes.

Mean in statistics

The average value of a set of data calculated by adding all values and dividing by the total number of data points.

Mode in statistics

The value that appears most frequently in a data set.

Median in statistics

The middle value in a data set, dividing the data into two equal halves.

Variability in statistics

The extent to which measurements in a data set differ from each other.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables where changes in one are synchronized with changes in another.

Correlation coefficient (r)

A mathematical measure of both the direction and strength of a correlation between two variables.

Causality

The relationship between cause and effect, determining how one variable influences another.

Random assignment

A procedure for assigning participants to conditions by chance to control for confounding variables.

Type I error in research

A false positive conclusion that there is a causal relationship when none exists.

Type II error in research

A false negative conclusion failing to detect a causal relationship that actually exists.

P-value in inferential statistics

The probability value indicating whether study results are statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Correlation vs. causation

Correlation indicates a statistical relationship, while causation shows one variable directly influences another.

Inferential statistics

Statistical methods used to determine if observed differences in a sample are likely true for the population.

WEIRD bias in psychology

A bias where most studies are conducted on Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic populations.

Empirical evidence in scientific method

Data obtained through observation and experimentation, forming the foundation of inquiry.

Critical thinking in research

Involves doubting your conclusions and questioning missing evidence.

Principle of human dignity in research

Involves respecting participants' autonomy and ensuring welfare while distributing risks and benefits equally.

Three core principles of research ethics

1. Respect for persons 2. Concern for welfare 3. Justice.

Informed consent in research

A participant’s agreement to participate after being informed of study risks and potential harms.

Rights of research participants regarding consent

Participants can withdraw anytime without penalty. Minors require guardian consent.

Key aspects of research ethics for human participants

Compensation, protection of data, freedom from coercion, harm protection, risk-benefit analysis, justified deception, debriefing, confidentiality.

3 Rs in animal research ethics

1. Reduce - Minimize animals used. 2. Refine - Reduce animal stress. 3. Replace - Use alternatives to animal testing.

Key protections for animals in research

Compliance with protections provided by CCAC and ACC.

Risk-benefit analysis in research ethics

Evaluates if potential study benefits outweigh risks to participants.

Role of deception in research

Used when necessary, but must be followed by debriefing about the study's true purpose.