Psychology 201 Lecture Notes Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and definitions from the Psychology 201 lecture notes, helping students review essential information for their upcoming exam.

What is Transfer Appropriate Processing?

It's a concept by John Bransford stating that past representations should match current processing patterns to enhance learning.

What is the key finding of Levels of Processing (LOP) according to Fergus Craik?

Deep processing leads to better testing outcomes.

Why do instructors test students?

To evaluate performance, inspire learning, and serve as effective learning tools.

What are Merton's 4 norms for science?

Universalisms, Communalisms, Disinterestedness, Organized skepticism.

What does Disinterestedness in Merton's Norms mean?

The aim of science is to advance understanding, not to gain fame or fortune.

Define Internal Validity in terms of research.

Internal validity ensures that A caused B with no outside factors affecting the results.

What are the three criteria for causation?

Covariance, Temporal Precedence, and Internal Validity.

What is a psychological construct?

A theoretical concept that cannot be directly observed but is inferred from behavior.

Differentiate between quantitative and categorical variables.

Quantitative variables have numerical values, while categorical variables classify subjects into distinct groups.

What is the definition of reliability in measurement?

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement across time, testers, or versions.

What is the principle of Construct Validity?

It assesses how well a measure aligns with the theoretical construct it aims to measure.

What is the significance of a control group in experiments?

It helps establish a baseline to determine the effects of the experimental variable.

Define the Availability Heuristic.

It's a mental shortcut where people estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind.

What is the difference between face validity and content validity?

Face validity refers to how a test seems to measure what it claims, while content validity assesses if a test covers all aspects of a construct.

Explain the concept of base-rate neglect.

It's when individuals ignore general statistical information (base rates) in favor of specific information.

What is the Matrix used for in Morling’s text?

It crosses psychological claims (frequency, association, causal) with validity types (construct, internal, statistical, external) to assess research quality.

What does statistical validity refer to?

It assesses how strongly the results support the claims made in a study.

What is the purpose of operational definitions in psychology?

To provide concrete steps for measuring theoretical constructs.

What is the difference between systematic error and random error?

Systematic error is a consistent, repeatable error, while random error is unpredictable and varies.