Exp Methods/Psych chapter 1-3 test review

Availability Heuristic

Judging likelihood based on how easily examples come to mind (e.g., fearing plane crashes more than car crashes due to publicity).

Representativeness Heuristic

Judging likelihood based on resemblance to a typical case (e.g., assuming someone with glasses is more intelligent).

Better‑Than‑Average Effect

Overestimating one's abilities compared to others (e.g., believing you'll score above average without studying).

Overconfidence Phenomenon

Being more confident than correct in judgments (e.g., thinking you answered correctly without checking evidence).

Hindsight Bias

Believing you "knew it all along" after an outcome (e.g., saying you knew a team would win after they win).

Confirmation Bias

Seeking information that confirms beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence (e.g., watching only videos supporting your views).

Focusing Effect

Paying too much attention to one aspect and ignoring others (e.g., choosing a college only based on tuition cost).

Belief Perseverance

Continuing to believe something despite contradictory evidence (e.g., believing a friend is trustworthy despite gossip).

Skepticism

Starting with doubt, questioning claims (e.g., questioning "baby genius" programs).

Open-Mindedness

Willingness to consider unpopular ideas (e.g., exploring controversial research topics).

Objectivity

Keeping personal bias out of research (e.g., using double-blind experiments).

Empiricism

Gaining knowledge through observation and measurement (e.g., collecting data systematically).

Creativity

Using unique approaches to research (e.g., designing new methods to measure stress).

Replication

Repeating studies to confirm findings (e.g., running the same experiment with new participants).

Communication

Sharing findings with others (e.g., publishing results in journals).

Sources of Research Ideas

Unsystematic: Systematic:

Unsystematic:

inspiration, serendipity, everyday occurrences.

systematic

past research, theory, classroom lectures.

Operational Definition

Defining variables in measurable terms (e.g., Independent variable = type of light bulb).

Independent Variable (IV)

Variable manipulated by researcher (e.g., Type of light bulb).

Dependent Variable (DV)

Variable measured in study (e.g., Participants' ability to feed themselves).

Correlational Design

Examines relationship between variables without manipulation (e.g., Studying weather and mood).

Between‑Subjects Design

Different groups experience different conditions (e.g., One group wears perfume, another does not).

Within‑Subjects Design

Same participants experience all conditions (e.g., Participants tested in high vs. low humidity).

Literature Search

Reviewing past studies to inform hypotheses (e.g., Advisor says "don't reinvent the wheel").

Peer‑Reviewed Journal Articles

Reliable sources verified by experts (e.g., Using journals instead of blogs).

Changing Directionality

Considering opposite effects in hypotheses (e.g., Social media may harm mental health but also help networking).

Utilitarian Perspective

Choose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number (e.g., Approving a study that benefits many even if it inconveniences a few participants).

Altruistic Perspective

Choose the most selfless action, prioritizing others' well‑being over self‑interest (e.g., Researcher sacrifices personal gain to ensure participant safety).

Egoism

Act in one's own self‑interest (e.g., Researcher designs a study mainly to advance their career).

Beneficence & Nonmaleficence

Weigh benefits vs. risks before starting a study; "do no harm" (e.g., Milgram's obedience study showed stress vs. knowledge gain).

Justice

Fairness in participant selection and distribution of benefits (e.g., Tuskegee syphilis study exploited Black men by withholding treatment).

Respect for Persons (Autonomy)

Obtain informed, voluntary consent; protect vulnerable populations (e.g., Stanford Prison Experiment highlighted need for monitoring distress).

Confidentiality & Anonymity

Protect participant identity when collecting data (e.g., Removing names from survey responses).

Informed Consent

Explain purpose, risks, benefits, and right to withdraw (e.g., Participants sign a consent form before joining a study).

Vulnerable Populations

Extra protections for children, prisoners, etc. (e.g., Special safeguards when studying minors).

Risk vs. Benefit Analysis

Central to ethical decision‑making in research (e.g., Balancing knowledge gained against participant stress).

example question Q1. A student refuses to swim at the beach after seeing three news reports about shark attacks, even though flu kills far more people each year. This decision is based on the _____.

Availability Heuristic

Q2. A roommate selection committee assumes that applicants who wear glasses will be more studious and responsible. This is an example of the _____.

Representativeness Heuristic

Q3. A student believes they will score higher than most of the class on the exam, despite not studying. This is an example of the .

Better‑Than‑Average Effect

Q4. After a football team wins, fans insist they "knew it all along." This illustrates .

Hindsight Bias

Q5. A person continues to believe their friend is trustworthy even after clear evidence of gossip. This is an example of .

Belief Perseverance

Q6. A student chooses a college only based on tuition cost, ignoring scholarships and career opportunities. This is the .

Focusing Effect

Q7. Marigold questions whether "baby genius" programs actually improve infant intelligence. She is demonstrating .

Skepticism

Q8. A researcher uses double‑blind procedures so neither participants nor experimenters know group assignments. This increases .

Objectivity

Q9. A researcher repeats a study with new participants to confirm the findings. This demonstrates .

Replication

Q10. A professor says, "Don't reinvent the wheel — someone has likely studied this already." This emphasizes the importance of .

Conducting a literature search

Q11. A psychologist wants reliable, verified sources for her hypothesis. She should use .

Peer‑reviewed journal articles

Q12. A therapist develops a highly effective treatment for severe depression. Some patients are assigned to "no treatment." Once effectiveness is clear, what principle requires giving all patients access?

Beneficence & Nonmaleficence

Q13. The Tuskegee syphilis study denied treatment to Black men while observing disease progression. This violated the principle of .

Justice

Q14. A researcher explains risks, benefits, and the right to withdraw before participants sign up. This demonstrates .

Respect for Persons (Autonomy)

Q15. A researcher designs a study mainly to advance their career, prioritizing self‑interest. This reflects .

Egoism