ap Psych unti 2

Hypothesis

A testable prediction often implied by a theory

Falsifiable

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment

Experimental study

A research method where an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Correlational study

Research design used to measure the strength And direction of a naturally occurring relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them

Meta analysis

A research method and statistical technique that combines and analyzes The results of multiple independent studies on same topic to determine an overall effect

Naturalistic observation

Observing and recording behavior in a natural environment without manipulation and control

Case studies

A detailed study of an individual, small group, or situation, often rare, illnesses, serial killers, cults, or accidents

Quantitative research

A research method that relies on quantifiable numerical data

Qualitative research

A research method that relies on in depth, narrative data, that IS NOT translated into numbers

Likert scales

Questionnaire responses fall into a continuum, such as strongly disagree to strongly agree

Longitudinal study

Same group of people studied over extended periods of time, examines Change overtime

Cross-sectional study

Different groups are studied at the same time, examine patterns across groups

Operational definitions

Detailed statement of the exact procedures, measurements, conditions of a variable in A study (Must be specific)

directionality problem

When variables are related, and it cannot be concluded as to which variables influence the other

Third variable problem

When a third (Confounding variable) Influences the relationship between independent and dependent variables

Single blind method

Experimental procedure in which the research participant is ignorant To whether they have received the treatment (IV) Or placebo

Double blind method

Experimental procedure in which both researcher and participant do not know who is receiving treatment (IV) Or who receives the drug

Hindsight bias

Tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we would’ve known that outcome all along

Confirmation bias

Tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and ignores information we see on the contrary

Experimenter bias

When researchers may unintentionally influence results to conform their own beliefs

Social desirability bias

When participants respond in ways, they presume a researcher expects or wants

Self report bias

When participants report their own data and report their behavior inaccurately

Overconfidence

The tendency to overestimate our abilities, knowledge and judgments

Sampling bias

A law sampling process that produces and unrepresentative sample of a population cannot be generalized to the broader group

Placebo

Fake treatment, like a pill filled with sugar

Placebo effect

Any effect on behavior caused by the administration of a fake substance/condition, where the recipient assumes it’s not fake

Independent variable

The variable that is controlled or manipulated by the Experimenter

Dependent variable

The variable that changes based on the independent variable. Dependent is measured, the outcome.

Control group

The group of people in the experiment that do not receive the independent variable

Experimental group

The group of people in the experiment that does receive the independent variable

Population

The complete group of individuals that a researcher wants to study

Sample

Group of actual participants from the population that partake in the study

Representative sample

A sample that accurately reflects the key characteristics (Ex; H, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) Of the target population

Convenience sampling

Choosing individuals who are easiest to reach or available for a study

Random sample

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the study

Random assignment

Choosing patients at random from sample to be experiment group or control group

Generalizability

Extent to which research findings from a specific sample can be applied to describe the entire target population