Research Methods and the Social Self

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture material on experimental research methods, research ethics, self-awareness, and self-concept categories.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable manipulated by the researcher (cause) in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome measured afterwards (effect) in an experiment.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A Research Ethics Committee that reviews and approves research studies at colleges and hospitals.

Informed Consent

An ethical rule stating that study participants must freely choose to participate and remain free to quit at any time.

The "I" Self

The active "knower" self that operates like a reader, representing self-awareness.

The "Me" Self

The contents of the self (self-concept) that operate like a library, as described by William James (1890).

Fixed Mindset

The self-theory that talent is innate and cannot be changed, where success or failure indicates talent and effort is not very important.

Growth Mindset

The self-theory that talent is changeable and can improve with effort, viewing failure as a natural part of the learning process.

Grit

Passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals.

Physical Self-Concept

Self-descriptions involving physical qualities that do not imply social interaction, such as "I am tall".

Social Self-Concept

Self-descriptions based on social roles, institutional memberships, or other identity and cultural groups, such as "I am a college student".

Attributes Self-Concept

Self-descriptions containing psychological or physiological states or traits, such as "I am caring" or "I am tired".

Global Self-Concept

Broad or vague self-descriptions that do not distinguish an individual from other people, such as "I am a human being".