Ap psych Vocab

Critical Thinking

thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Hindsight bias

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I knew it all along)

Peer reviewers

scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy. 

Theory

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

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. Figure 0.3-1 The scientific method

operational definition

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study

replication

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced.

case study

a non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

naturalistic observation

a non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

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