Chapter Two: Doing Social Psychology Research

Correlational research

measures the relationship between variables.

Subject variables

characterize preexisting differences among the participants in a study.

Internal validity

when an experiment is properly conducted.

Archival studies

examining existing records of past events and behaviors.

Basic research

________: seeks to increase our understanding of human behavior.

Hypothesis

an explicit, testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur.

Bogus pipeline technique

participants are led to believe that their responses will be verified by an infallible lie detector.

Meta analysis

combining results across studies.

Operational definition

the specific procedures for manipulating /measuring a conceptual variable.

Confederates

people working for the experimenter who pretend theyre part of the experiment.

Correlation

________ is not causation.

Theory

an organized set of principles used to explain observed phenomena.

External validity

the extent to which the results obtained under one set of circumstances would also occur in a different set of circumstances.

Descriptive research

record how frequently or how typically people think, feel, or behave in particular ways.

Deception

providing participants with false info.

Dependent variable

measured to see if its affected.

Field research

conducted in real- world settings outside the lab.

Developing ideas

beginning the research process

hypothesis

an explicit, testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur

theory

an organized set of principles used to explain observed phenomena

basic research

seeks to increase our understanding of human behavior

applied research

focuses on making applications to the world and contributing to the solution of social problems

operational definition

the specific procedures for manipulating / measuring a conceptual variable

construct validity

the extent to which

self-reports

participants disclose their thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions

bogus pipeline technique

participants are led to believe that their responses will be verified by an infallible lie detector

interrater reliability

level of agreement among multiple observers of the same behavior

descriptive research

record how frequently or how typically people think, feel, or behave in particular ways

archival studies

examining existing records of past events and behaviors

correlational research

measures the relationship between variables

correlation coefficient

a statistical measure of the strength and direction of the association between two variables

experiment

form of research that can demonstrate causal relationships

random assignment

participants are not assigned to a group based on their characteristics

random sampling

selecting participants for a study in a way that everyone in a population has an equal chance

lab research

environment is controlled and participants are carefully studied

field research

conducted in real-world settings outside the lab

independent variable

manipulated

dependent variable

measured to see if its affected

subject variables

characterize preexisting differences among the participants in a study

internal validity

when an experiment is properly conducted

confound

a factor other than the independent variable that has an effect on the dependent variable

experimenter expectancy effects

experimenter bias

external validity

the extent to which the results obtained under one set of circumstances would also occur in a different set of circumstances

mundane realism

extent to which the research setting resembles the real-world setting

experimental realism

degree to which the experimental setting and procedures are real and involving to the participant

deception

providing participants with false info

confederates

people working for the experimenter who pretend theyre part of the experiment

meta-analysis

combining results across studies

informed consent

an individuals deliberate, voluntary decision to participate in research

debriefing

researchers fully inform their participants about the nature of the research at the end of the experiment

basic research

seeks to increase our understanding of human behavior. often designed to test a specific hypothesis from a specific theory

applied research

focuses on making applications to the world and contributing to the solution of social problems

confound

A factor other than the independent variable that varies between the conditions of an experiment, thereby calling into question what caused any effects on the dependent variable.

construct validity

The extent to which the measures used in a study measure the variables they were designed to measure and the manipulations in an experiment manipulate the variables they were designed to manipulate.

correlational coefficient

A statistical measure of the strength and direction of the association between two variables.

debriefing

A disclosure, made to participants after research procedures are completed, in which the researcher explains the purpose of the research, attempts to resolve any negative feelings, and emphasizes the scientific contribution made by the participants’ involvement.

experiment

A form of research that can demonstrate causal relationships because (1) the experimenter has control over the events that occur and (2) participants are randomly assigned to conditions.

experimental realism

The degree to which experimental procedures are involving to participants and lead them to behave naturally and spontaneously.

experimenter expectancy effects

The effects produced when an experimenter’s expectations about the results of an experiment affect his or her behavior toward a participant and thereby influence the participant’s responses.

informed consent

An individual’s deliberate, voluntary decision to
participate in research, based on the researcher’s description of what will be required during such participation.

interrater reliability

The degree to which different observers agree on their observations

mundane realism

The degree to which the experimental situation resembles places and events in the real world.

random assignment

A method of assigning participants to the various conditions of an experiment so that each participant in the experiment has an equal chance of being in any of the conditions.

random sampling

A method of selecting participants for a study so
that everyone in a population has an equal chance of being in the study.

self-reports

Participants disclose their thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions

lab research

Environment is controlled and participants are carefully studied

independent variable

A variable whose variation doesn’t depend on that of another. The manipulated variable in an experiment