Psychology 2e - Chapter 2 Key Terms

Psychology 2e - Chapter 2 Key Terms Study Guide

Archival Research

  • Definition: Using past records or data sets to answer research questions or find patterns.

Attrition

  • Definition: Reduction in the number of participants as some drop out over time.

Cause-and-Effect Relationship

  • Definition: Changes in one variable cause changes in another; determined only through experiments.

Clinical or Case Study

  • Definition: Observational research focusing on one or a few people.

Confirmation Bias

  • Definition: Tendency to ignore evidence that disproves beliefs.

Confounding Variable

  • Definition: An unanticipated factor affecting both variables, giving a false impression of causation.

Control Group

  • Definition: Basis for comparison; does not receive experimental manipulation.

Correlation

  • Definition: Relationship between two or more variables; one changes as the other does.

Correlation Coefficient

  • Definition: Number ranging from -1 to +1 showing strength and direction of a relationship.

Cross-Sectional Research

  • Definition: Compares multiple segments of a population at one time.

Debriefing

  • Definition: Informing participants about the full nature of an experiment after any deception.

Deception

  • Definition: Purposely misleading participants to maintain integrity of the study.

Deductive Reasoning

  • Definition: Predicting results from a general premise.

Dependent Variable

  • Definition: Variable measured to see the effect of the independent variable.

Double-Blind Study

  • Definition: Both researchers and participants are unaware of group assignments to avoid bias.

Empirical

  • Definition: Grounded in observable, objective evidence.

Experimental Group

  • Definition: Group that receives experimental manipulation; compared with the control group.

Experimenter Bias

  • Definition: Researcher expectations skew results, potentially influencing the study's outcomes.

Fact

  • Definition: An objective observation established through evidence.

Falsifiable

  • Definition: A theory or hypothesis that can be disproven by results or evidence.

Generalize

  • Definition: The process of applying results from a sample to the larger population.

Hypothesis

  • Definition: A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables.

Illusory Correlation

  • Definition: The phenomenon of seeing relationships that do not actually exist.

Independent Variable

  • Definition: The variable that is controlled or manipulated by the experimenter.

Inductive Reasoning

  • Definition: The process of drawing conclusions from observations.

Informed Consent

  • Definition: The process of informing participants of procedures, risks, and their rights before participation.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

  • Definition: A committee that reviews research proposals involving animal studies to ensure ethical treatment.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

  • Definition: A board that reviews research proposals involving human participants to protect their rights and welfare.

Inter-Rater Reliability

  • Definition: The degree of agreement among observers on the classification of an event, ensuring consistency in observations.

Longitudinal Research

  • Definition: Research that involves studying the same individuals over long periods to detect changes over time.

Naturalistic Observation

  • Definition: Observing behavior in its natural setting without interference from researchers.

Negative Correlation

  • Definition: A relationship between two variables where they move in opposite directions.

Observer Bias

  • Definition: A bias in observations that occurs when an observer's expectations influence their interpretations.

Operational Definition

  • Definition: A definition that specifies how variables are measured and manipulated in a study.

Opinion

  • Definition: A personal judgment or belief that is not necessarily based on fact.

Participants

  • Definition: Individuals or subjects involved in psychological research studies.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

  • Definition: A scholarly article that has been evaluated by experts in the field before publication.

Placebo Effect

  • Definition: The phenomenon where a participant's expectations influence their experience, often leading to perceived or actual changes in condition.

Population

  • Definition: The entire group of individuals that researchers are interested in studying.

Positive Correlation

  • Definition: A relationship between two variables where they move in the same direction; as one increases, so does the other.

Random Assignment

  • Definition: A method where each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group within the study, minimizing selection bias.

Random Sample

  • Definition: A subset of a population that is selected in a way that gives every individual an equal opportunity of being chosen.

Reliability

  • Definition: The consistency of results obtained through a study or measurement.

Replicate

  • Definition: The process of repeating experiments to test the reliability and consistency of results over time.

Sample

  • Definition: A subset of individuals from the population used for the purpose of conducting a study.

Single-Blind Study

  • Definition: A research design where the researcher knows the group assignments, but the participants do not, reducing participant bias.

Statistical Analysis

  • Definition: A technique that determines how likely the observed differences between groups are due to chance, often using statistical tests.

Survey

  • Definition: A method of collecting data from many people through questionnaires or interviews, often used to gauge opinions, experiences, or behaviors.

Theory

  • Definition: A well-developed set of ideas explaining phenomena, often based on extensive evidence and research.

Validity

  • Definition: The degree to which a study accurately measures what it claims to measure, ensuring the credibility of research findings.