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AICE PSYCH VOCAB

1. Experimental Design

A structured plan for how an experiment will be carried out in order to test a hypothesis. In psychology, it determines how participants are allocated to conditions (e.g., repeated measures, independent groups).

2. Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that the researcher manipulates to examine its effect on behavior or mental processes.

3. Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured to see how it changes as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.

4. Controlled

Keeping certain variables constant to prevent them from influencing the dependent variable, ensuring that any observed effect is due to the independent variable.

5. Standardized Procedure

A set of consistent instructions and methods given to all participants so the experiment is conducted the same way each time, reducing bias and increasing reliability.

6. Random Allocation

Assigning participants to experimental or control conditions by chance, ensuring each person has an equal likelihood of being in any group, which reduces participant-related bias.

7. Independent Measures (Between-Subjects Design)

An experimental design where different participants take part in each condition of the experiment.

8. Experimental Group

The group of participants exposed to the independent variable (the manipulation being tested).

9. Control Group

The group not exposed to the independent variable, used as a baseline to compare against the experimental group.

10. Repeated Measures (Within-Subjects Design)

An experimental design where the same participants take part in all conditions of the experiment, allowing direct comparisons within individuals.

11. Baseline – A measurement taken before the experimental treatment or manipulation begins, used as a point of comparison to see if change occurs.

12. Demand Characteristics – Cues in an experiment that might lead participants to guess the aim or change their behavior, which can bias results.

13. Order Effects – When the order in which participants experience conditions affects their performance.

  • a. Fatigue Effect – Performance decreases because participants get tired or bored.

  • b. Practice Effect – Performance improves because participants get more experienced with the task.

14. Counterbalancing – A method used to control for order effects by varying the order of conditions across participants.

15. Matched Pairs – A research design where participants are paired based on similar characteristics, and then each member of the pair is placed into different conditions.

16. Placebo Effect – A change in participants’ behavior caused by their belief that they are receiving a treatment, even if it is inactive.

17. Expectancy Effects – When the experimenter or participant’s expectations influence the outcome of the study.

18. Single-blind Design – An experimental design in which participants do not know which condition (e.g., treatment vs. control) they are in, to reduce bias.

19. Double-blind Design – An experimental design in which neither the participants nor the experimenter knows who is in each condition, preventing both demand and expectancy effects.

20. Operational Definition – A clear, specific statement of how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study.

  1. Self-Report – A research method where participants provide information about themselves, usually through questionnaires, interviews, or surveys.

  2. Questionnaire – A written set of standardized questions that participants answer, often used to gather large amounts of data quickly.

  3. Interview – A method of data collection where the researcher asks participants questions directly, either in a structured, semi-structured, or unstructured format.

  4. Triangulation – The use of multiple methods or sources (e.g., observations, interviews, questionnaires) to study the same phenomenon, increasing validity.

  5. Case Study – An in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or situation, often using multiple research methods to gather detailed information.

  6. Overt Observation – An observational method where participants know they are being observed.

  7. Covert Observation – An observational method where participants are unaware they are being observed, reducing demand characteristics.

  8. Naturalistic Observation – Observing behavior in the participants’ natural environment without interference from the researcher.

  9. Controlled Observation – Observing behavior in a structured or laboratory setting where variables can be controlled.

  10. Participant Observation – When the researcher actively takes part in the group or situation being studied while also making observations.