Scientific Foundations of Psychology

Flashcards for AP Psychology Unit 1 focusing on Scientific Foundations of Psychology, including research methods and terminology.

Scientific Method

A process of systematic observation, measurement, and experiment to formulate and test hypotheses.

The Scientific Method

Evaluating ideas with observation and analysis; a self-correcting process.

Peer Reviewers

Scientists who are experts that evaluate a study’s theory, originality, and accuracy.

Qualitative Research

Research that studies people and their experiences by gathering non-numerical data, such as words, images or observations.

Quantitative Research

Research that studies people or other subjects by collecting and analyzing numerical data.

Theory

A coherent explanation or interpretation of facts and observations that have been identified in past studies.

Hypothesis

A specific and testable description of the expected outcome of a study.

Variables

Anything that can change or be changed.

Falsifiability

The possibility that a hypothesis can be disproven by observation or experiment.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence.

Methodology

The details of how you will measure the variables, observe the results, and evaluate the hypothesis.

Operational Definitions

Clear and detailed statements about how you will measure the data collected about the variables.

Replicate

Repeat the original study as closely as possible.

Survey

A tool used in psychological research.

Self-Report Bias

Errors or inaccuracies that can occur when individuals provide subjective accounts of their own behaviors.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency for participants to answer questions in a way that they believe others will view favorably.

Framing / Word Effects

The way that questions are framed or worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey; even the order of the words can have subtle effects

Naturalistic Observation

A researcher observes subjects while the subjects do whatever they do in a natural setting.

Case Study

Take a single case and study its elements and implications.

Correlational Research

To examine the link (the co-relationship) between variables.

Positive Correlation

Does the weight in pounds of professional baseball players correlate with the number of home runs players hit? heavier players tend to hit more home runs

Negative Correlation

Home run totals go down as weight increases.

Strength of Correlations

Measured in correlation coefficients and depicted on a scatterplot.

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship where none exists (when we believe there is a relationship between two things when there really isn’t one)

Third Variable Problem

The relationship between variables is sometimes hard to determine

Regression Toward the Mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) toward the average

Directionality Problem

Occurs when it’s unclear which variable is causing the change in the other

Meta-Analysis

A statistical procedure that analyzes the results of many studies that have measured the same variables

Effect Size

A measure that helps us understand the strength or magnitude of a relationship, difference, or impact found across multiple studies