Psych chapter 2

Curiosity, open-mindedness, and skepticism

Scientific Attitudes

Case Study

in depth analysis on a specific event or person

Natural Observation

Observes behavior as it occurs naturally

Limitations of correlational studies

No caustation, cofounding variables, no temporal precedence, 3rd variable

Theory

a well substaintiated explanation of the natural world, based on a body of scientific evidence

Limitations for Natural oberservation

risk of subject/ observer bias

limitations for case study

lack of generalizability, time and resources

Research Question

clear, focused, and open-ended question that guides the research process. It identifies what the researcher aims to explore or understand.

Identify a question, gather information, conduct research, analyze data, build a body of knowledge

steps in the scienetific process

Limitations of expiremental research

over confidence in findings, cofounding variables

Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction about the outcome of a study or experiment.

students could be any age, no specific time frame

What is wrong with this Hypothesis? Students who sleep continuously for 8 hours before an exam will score higher than those who sleep continuously for 4 hours

Independent variable amount of sleep dependent variable test scores

Identify the Independent Variable and the Dependent variable in the text: Students who sleep continuously for 8 hours before an exam will score higher than those who sleep continuously for 4 hours

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured and expected to change as a result of the independent variable.

Operational Definition

Defines a variable in terms of the specific procedures or measures used to assess it. for example studying academic sucess "a GPA of 3.5 or higher in a semester." is more specific

Subjective Measures

reporting your own thoughts, feelings, perceptions, sensations, behaviors. self report or proxy report

Behavior Measures

Directly observable behaviors, often using tools such as psychological or physiological tests.

Correlational method

A relationship between two variables; does not imply causation.

Positive Correlation

When one variable increases, the other variable also increases.

The taller you are the more you weigh

Postive correlation

Negative Correlation

When one variable increases, the other variable decreases.

Netflix watching increases, grade decreases

Negative correlation

Descriptive Research Method

observes and collects data, this method focuses on what is happening, not why. No cause-and-effect relationships are studied.

Experimental Research Method

researcher manipulates one or more variables to observe the effect on another variable while controlling other factors.

Validity

Refers to how well an expirement procedure actually tests what it is designed to test

Reliability

Refers to the ability to consistently produce a given result when measuring an expirement

Temporal Precedence

the ability to determine which variable happens first. If you can't tell the order, cause and effect can't be established.

Third Variable

An extra variable in a study that isn’t part of the main relationship being examined. It might influence the results, but not necessarily.

Random Sampling

A method of sampling from a population where every individual has an equal chance of selection; names are drawn at random

Representative Sample

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population; equal percentage of brown- and blonde-haired students in the sample as the population

Population

a set of individuals of intrest in a study

a sample

a set of individuals from a population. intended to represent the population

Nocebo

The negative version of placebo; feeling headaches after sugar pill because “headache” was said to be side effect

Social Desirability

The tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner; giving the answer you think someone wants to hear

Cofounding Variable

A specific third variable that affects both the independent and dependent variables, creating a false or misleading relationship between them.

Placebo Affect

people recieving a treatment show change in behavior because of their expectations not because the treatment itself

Expectancy effects

Subtle unintentional ways a researchers or participants expectation can influence the result of a study

Human research ethics

Consent for everything, Benefits outweigh risks, anonymous, no deception, they must be told purpose of study after, ethics team must be informed

Animal Research Ethics

Justifications must be made for the certain species, no unnecessary harm benefits outweigh the risks, 3 R’s replacement, reduction, refinement, very strict protocol overseen by veterinarians, and all protocals over seen by Ethics board

Limitation for Descriptive methods

Doesnt establish why something happens only that there is an occurance