Psychological Research and Methods

Flashcards covering key concepts of psychological research including methods, definitions, ethical considerations, and the importance of research.

Why is research important in psychology?

Research provides evidence to support theories, moving beyond intuition and biases.

What is psychological research focused on?

Understanding human behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction about how something will behave, often an 'if-then' statement.

What does it mean for a hypothesis to be falsifiable?

It must be capable of being shown to be incorrect.

What is a case study?

A research method that involves an in-depth study of one person or a group, gathering extensive information.

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing people in their natural environment without their awareness to avoid influencing their behavior.

What is a potential problem with observational studies?

Observer bias, which can skew the interpretation of observations based on the observer's expectations.

What is the difference between a positive and negative correlation?

A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other does too; a negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases.

What is the correlation coefficient?

A statistic that measures the strength of the relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to +1.

What is confounding variable?

A third variable that impacts the strength of the relationship between two other variables.

What is the purpose of the Belmont Report?

To provide guidelines for protecting research participants, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

What is a single blind study?

A study where participants do not know if they are in the control or experimental group.

What is the placebo effect?

The phenomenon where a person's expectations or beliefs influence their experience.

What is an independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter.

What is a dependent variable?

The variable that is measured to see if the independent variable has an effect.

What is the difference between reliability and validity in experiments?

Reliability refers to consistency in results, while validity refers to the accuracy of what is being measured.

What is informed consent?

Participants are informed about risks and benefits and give written permission to participate in a study.