AP Psych Vocab

Bimodal distribution

Two peaks in data set

Hindsight bias

Believing outcome was predictable

Positive Correlation

Variables increase together consistently

Case study

Detailed analysis of individual

Hypothesis

Testable prediction about variables

Positive skew

Tail extends toward higher values

Central tendency

Middle value of distribution

Independent variables

Manipulated factor in experiment

Protection from harm

Safeguard participants from injury

Confidentiality

Keep participants’ data private

Informed consent

Participants agree after information

Qualitative research/measures

Describes qualities not numbers

Confirmation bias

Favoring info supporting beliefs

Institutional review

Ethics committee for research

Quantitative research/measures

Uses numerical data analysis

Confounding variables

Uncontrolled factors affecting results

Likert scales

Measures attitudes with statements

Random assignment

Equal chance for conditions

Control group

Group without independent variable

Mean

Average of all values

Random sampling

Equal chance selection method

Convenience sampling

Easily accessible participants chosen

Median

Middle value in data

Range

Difference between highest and lowest

Correlation

Relationship between two variables

Meta-analysis

Combines results from studies

Regression toward the mean

Extreme scores move closer average

Correlation coefficient

Numeric strength of correlation

Mode

Most frequent data value

Replication

Repeating study for reliability

Cultural norms

Shared societal expectations rules

Naturalistic observation

Observe behavior without interference

Representation of participants

Sample reflects target population

Debriefing

Explain study after participation

Negative Correlation

One variable increases

Representative sample

Reflects population characteristics accurately

Deception

Misleading participants about study

Negative skew

Tail extends toward lower values

Sample

Subset of larger population

Dependent variables

Measured effect in experiment

Normal curve

Bell-shaped symmetrical distribution

Scatterplot

Graph showing variable relationships

Directionality problem (in correlation)

Cannot tell cause direction

Operational definitions

Specific definition for measurement

Single-blind study

Participants unaware of conditions

Double-blind study

Participants and researchers unaware

Overconfidence

Overestimating accuracy of knowledge

Social desirability bias

Answering to look favorable

Effect size

Magnitude of research result

Peer review

Experts evaluate before publication

Standard deviation

Spread of scores around mean

Experimental group

Receives independent variable treatment

Percentile rank

Position relative to others

Statistical significance

Results unlikely by chance

Experimenter bias

Researcher influences study results

Placebo

Inactive substance or treatment

Structured interviews

Standardized questions for participants

Potential Falsifiability

Can be proven false

Placebo effect

Improvement from believing treatment

Third variable problem (in correlation)

Unknown factor affects relationship

Generalizability

Apply findings to population

Population

Entire group being studied

Variance

Measure of score dispersion

Variation

Differences among data points