PSYCH 301W Exam 1 Additional Vocab

Construct validity

How well the variables in a study are measured or manipulated. The extent to which the operational variables in a study are a good approximation of the conceptual variables

External validity

The extent to which the results of a study generalizes to some larger population (e.g. whether the results from this sample teenagers apply to all U.S. teens), as well as to other times or situations (e.g. whether the results based on coffee apply to other types of caffeine)

Statistical validity

How well the numbers support the claim- that is, how strong the effect is and the precision of the estimate (the confidence interval) Also takes into account whether the study has been replicated

Internal validity

In a relationship between one variable (A) and another (B), the extent to which A, rather than some other variable (C) is responsible for changes in B

Three criteria for establishing causation between variable A and variable B

Covariance, temporal precedence (A comes before B), internal validity

Tautological

-       Theories in which the variables cannot be measured or

-       The variables are vague enough that they cannot provide information to falsify the theory

-       It’s either snowing outside or it’s not. It’s right either way.

Parsimonious

•The theory provides the simplest possible account of those outcomes

Falsifiable

•The variables can be adequately measured and the relationships shown through research to be incorrect

Laws

Principles that are so general as to apply to all situations.

Theories

An integrated set of principles that explains and predicts observed relationships

Inductive method

– Getting ideas about the relationships among variables by observing specific facts

– Using Facts à To generate Theory

–Yerkes-Dodson in 1908 established a relationship between arousal and performance

Deductive method

–The process of using a theory to generate specific ideas that can be tested through research

– Using Theory à To “explain” the Facts

– Social facilitation vs. Yerkes-Dodson (introduce third variable which was difficulty of the task)

Descriptive research

is designed to answer questions about the current state of affairs

Correlational research

Involves the measurement of two or more relevant variables and an assessment of the relationship between or among those variables

Experimental research

Involves the active creation or manipulation of a given situation or experience for two or more groups of individuals

Converging operations

-       Use of more than one technique to study the same thing with the hope that all of the approaches will produce similar findings

-       E.g. some research starts with a correlational design (to see if the variables are related in some way) and then moves to an experimental design to better understand the processes that are at work.

Empirical statements

–Based on the systematic collection and analysis of data

Logical positivism

The “hard” facts are the only thing we can talk about (Early 1900s)

-       All knowledge is based on empirical observation and the rigorous use of logic and mathematics

-       Any theoretical statement is meaningful only if it can be tested empirically

Postmodernism

There are no “hard” facts. (Mid-1900s)

-       There is no objective reality or ultimate truth that we have direct access to

-       Truth is a matter of perspective or point-of-view

-       Each individual constructs his or her own understanding of reality, and no one can rise above their perspectives

-       The goal of postmodernists is to deconstruct peoples’ assumed reality

-       Somewhere in the middle is probably best

Find facts when you can BUT admit that your own biases might interfere

Behavioral research

-       Studies “important” human problems and provides solutions to them

o   Also study things that are not “problems”

-       Impact on scientific decisions and public policy (sometimes)

o   We don’t always practice what we preach

Operationalization

how you go from concept to something that you control (independent variable) or something that you measure (dependent variable)

Conceptual variable

the concept that you want to use

4 canons of science

-          Determinism

o   The universe is orderly

o   All events have meaningful, systematic causes

-          Empiricism

o   To make observations to figure out the order of the universe

-          Parsimony

o   Adoption of the simplest assumption in the formulation of a theory or in the interpretation of data

§  Occam’s razor

-          Testability

o   Theories can be tested (i.e., question is confirmable and falsifiable)

Independent variable

-          the “thing” that is being manipulated in the experiment

o   Depression medication: Prozac vs. No Prozac

o   Mood: Positive versus negative

Dependent variable

-          a measured variable predicted to change across levels of the independent variable

Control group

-          participants that don’t receive any level of the independent variable (i.e. do not receive treatment)

Treatment/experimental group

-          participants that do receive one of the levels of the independent variable (i.e. they receive the treatment)

Construct

-          abstract (often-theory relevant) concept that represents ideas, experience, and/or behavior

Operational definition

-          The operations or procedures through which a construct is represented (or defined) in a study

o   The concrete side of the IV is sometimes referred to as the experimental operational definition

o   The concrete side of the DV is sometimes referred to as the measurement operational definition

Experimental design

-          research that has both IVs and DVs

o   Must have at least one manipulation of the IV (i.e. not correlational)

Conceptual variables

-          the abstract ideas forming the basis for your hypotheses (e.g. mood, depression meds)

Operationalization

-          taking a concept and figuring out how to make that concept work in your experiment

o   Ex. IV – Organizational climates tolerant or intolerant of abusive leadership behavior; DV – Whistle-blowing behavior