Unit 0: Scientific Foundations

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Unit 0: Scientific Foundations lecture.

Experiment

A method of studying behavior with the potential to show cause & effect.

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that they were confident that was what was going to happen all along.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Operational Definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures/variables used in research for replication.

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Case Study

A non-experimental method in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing truth about larger groups.

Survey

A technique for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a random sample of that group.

Population

The largest possible group researchers hope to generalize their random sample towards.

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of being selected.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors interact together, which can be positive, negative, or no correlation.

Correlation Coefficient

The strength of a correlation that ranges from -1 to +1.

experiment

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors

random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental & control groups where anyone in the sample has an equal chance to be in any group (randomization)

Double-blind Procedure/Study

An experimental procedure where neither researchers nor participants know which group participants are in until after the study is finished.

Placebo Effect

When participants receive a fake version of the treatment but believe it is real and see real effects.

Experimental Group

The group that is exposed to the treatment in an experiment.

Control Group

The group that is not exposed to the treatment in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable being manipulated or changed by the researchers.

Confounding Variable

A variable that ruins the experiment because it impacts the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable researchers are measuring (the outcome).

Mode

The number that appears the MOST in the data set.

mean

the average in a data set

Median

The middle score in a distribution of numbers.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Standard Deviation

A number showing how spread out data or scores are.

normal curve (normal distribution)

a normal bell curve

Informed Consent

Participants must be told enough info about what they will be doing to help them choose whether or not to participate.

Debriefing

Researchers must explain what the study was about and clear up any deception right away after the study has ended.

Sampling Bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

Regression Toward the Mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back (regress) toward the average.

Skewed Distribution

When very large or very small outliers can skew the data to one side instead of making a bell curve.

Statistical Significance

Whether or not results were accidental or were able to prove cause and effect.

Informed Assent

A process for minors in research that allows them to agree to participate with parental permission.

Bimodal Distribution

When two different data areas have high prevalence, leading to a distribution with two bumps.

Confederate

A person who appears as a participant but is in on the study and may manipulate the situation.

Confidentiality

Researchers must not publish any personal or identifying information about their participants.

Confirmation Bias

Looking for information that supports one's beliefs and ignoring anything that doesn't.

Convenience Sampling

Any process for selecting a sample for research that is not random but is chosen by easy access.

Cultural Norm

A societal rule, value, or standard that is an accepted and appropriate behavior within a culture.

Deception

Any distortion of or withholding of fact with the purpose of misleading others.

Directionality Problem

In correlational research, a situation where researchers know two variables are related but don't know which is the cause and which is the effect.

Ethical Guidelines

Rules of acceptable behavior/practices during research.

Falsifiable/Falsifiability

The idea that for a hypothesis to be scientific, it must be possible to test for evidence that would prove it false.

Generalizability

Degree to which a study's findings apply to the entire population.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews experiments for ethics and methodology.

Meta-analysis

A procedure for statistically combining the results of many different research studies.

Negative Correlation

A relationship between two variables that shows when one variable increases, the other decreases.

Negative Skew

Low numbered outliers in the data draw the tail/shape of the data to the left.

4 types:

non experimental research methods

Positive Correlation

A relationship between two variables where as one variable increases, so does the other.

Positive Skew

High numbered outliers in the data draw the tail/shape of the data to the right.

Protection from Harm

Reasonable steps taken to avoid and minimize harm to research participants whenever possible.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance.

Random Sampling

The selection of participants from a larger group in an unbiased way.

representative sample

The selection of participants from a larger group (population) in an unbiased way, so the sample reflects the total population.

Self-report Bias

People will respond inaccurately to surveys to appear more socially desirable or due to misunderstandings.

Single-blind Study

Research design in which participants don't know whether they are in the experimental or control group.

Social Desirability Bias

A tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself.

8 Perspectives: Psychodynamic

A perspective that explains behavior based on childhood experiences and the structure of the mind.

8 Perspectives: Cognitive

A perspective that explains behavior based on cognitive processes such as thinking and interpreting.

8 Perspectives: Behaviorism

A perspective that explains behavior through observation and reinforcement.

8 Perspectives: Humanism

A perspective that emphasizes personal growth and the fulfillment of potential.

8 Perspectives: Biological

A perspective explaining behavior based on genetics and biological processes.

8 Perspectives: Sociocultural

A perspective that explains behavior based on social and cultural influences.

8 Perspectives: Evolutionary

A perspective explaining behavior based on survival instincts and evolutionary processes.

8 Perspectives: Biopsychosocial

A perspective that combines all other perspectives to explain behavior.