Science and Research Methods in Social Psychology Flashcards

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of social psychology research methods, scientific theories, biases, and the distinction between science and pseudoscience.

In the context of scientific theories, how is a 'law' defined differently from a typical theory?

A 'law' is a type of theory that focuses on description rather than explanation.

List the five specific social psychology theories that will be covered in this class according to the lecture notes.

Social Learning Theory, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, Relative Deprivation Theory, Realistic Conflict Theory, and Social Identity Theory.

How is 'Science' defined in the context of psychological inquiry?

An approach to knowledge that relies on a set of tools to gather and evaluate evidence with minimal bias.

What is 'Pseudoscience' and what does it lack?

A set of claims that seems scientific but isn't; it lacks safeguards against bias.

Define the pseudoscientific practices of 'Phrenology' and 'Graphology'.

Phrenology claims that bumps on the skull reveal personality, while Graphology claims that handwriting reveals personality.

What is 'Communalism' in scientific research?

The willingness to share findings with others.

What is the scientific tool of 'Disinterestedness'?

An attempt to be objective.

Define 'Confirmation bias' and identify the safeguards against it.

The tendency to seek out evidence that supports our hypothesis and neglect or distort contradicting evidence; safeguards include Peer Review and Falsifiability.

What is 'Belief perseverance' and what is its primary safeguard?

The tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence contradicts them; its safeguard is Disinterestedness.

What are the five steps of the Scientific Process?

1. State problem; 2. Formulate testable hypothesis; 3. Design research, run project, and collect data; 4. Test hypothesis with data; 5. Communicate study results.

According to the textbook, what is the definition of a 'Scientific Theory'?

It is composed of constructs (abstract ideas or concepts) that are linked together in some logical way.

What does the Social Learning Theory propose?

That people can learn from the experiences of others if they observe them.

What is a 'Hypothesis' and what essential quality must it have?

A 'best guess' about the relationship among the variables being studied; it must be falsifiable (testable; possible to show it to be false).

How are 'Variables' defined in research?

Characteristics that change across people or change in the same person across situations.

What are the three main types of research designs used in psychology?

Surveys, Observational Studies, and Experiments.

What is the primary strength of Observational Studies?

Realism, as they are conducted in the real world and capture naturally occurring behavior.

What is a 'Correlation coefficient' and what is its notation?

A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables, denoted as $r$ (ranging from $r = -1.0$ to $r = +1.0$).

Why does correlation (by itself) not imply causation?

Because correlational studies cannot test cause and effect and have no control over extraneous variables.

Define 'Independent Variable (IV)' and 'Dependent Variable (DV)'.

The Independent Variable (IV) is manipulated by the experimenter, while the Dependent Variable (DV) is measured by the experimenter.

How does a simple experiment typically structure the levels of the IV?

It consists of two levels: 1) Presence (Experimental Group) and 2) Absence (Control Group).

What are 'Extraneous Variables' and how can researchers control them?

Anything other than the IV that can affect the DV; they are controlled by holding them constant across different levels of the IV.

What is a 'Double-blind design'?

An experimental technique where neither the subjects (Ss) nor the experimenters (Es) know which subjects are in the control or experimental group.

List three characteristics of Pseudoscience compared to Science.

Pseudoscience features fixed ideas, ignores peer review, and sees criticism as a conspiracy, whereas Science is willing to change with evidence, uses ruthless peer review, and invites criticism.

According to the lecture, what are four indicators that a 'Conspiracy Theory' claim is probably false?

Lack of credible evidence, failure to hold up to scrutiny, the source having a motive (money/power), and claims of being kept secret by millions of people or relying on the supernatural.