Unit 2 Terms- Honors Psych

Unit 2 Study Guide 

Scientific Method- a method of procedure for testing scientific questions and theories 

Replication- the ability to reproduce results following the same procedures 

Confirmation Bias- the tendency to interpret only evidence that supports our beliefs while ignoring evidence that contradicts it 

Hindsight Bias- the tendency to believe something was inevitable after seeing it occur 

Overconfidence- the tendency to believe that we are correct 

Volunteer Bias- occurs because surveys can only evaluate people who choose to take it 

Naturalistic observation- observing behavior in natural environments without control or interaction 

Surveys- determine the self-reported attitudes, opinions, or behaviors of a population by questioning a sample of people 

Target Population- the group of people who your study will apply to 

Random Sample- a totally random sample of people who take the survey; everyone has an equal chance of being chosen  

Stratified Sample- the sample of people is chose strategically to match the demographic breakdown of the population 

Generalization- is when you can accurately apply the results from your sample to your target population 

Dependent Variable- factor that is measured based on the change made to independent variable 

Independent Variable- factor that is manipulated to test its effect

Confounding Variable- any variable other thn the independent-variable that ould affect the 

Experimental Group- group exposed to independent variable 

Control Group- group receiving no treatment or independent variable; used as comparison 

Experimenter Bias- tendency of a researcher to treat experimental and control groups differently to confirm their hypothesis 

Placebo Effect- when a “fake” substance delivers a real, measurable result 

Single Blind Study- participants are unaware if they are in teh experimental or control group 

Double Blind Study- participants and experimenters are unaware who is in the experimental or control group 

Ethical Guidelines: informed consent, limited deception, protection from farm and discomfort, confidentiality, debriefing 

Informed consent- subjects must have knowldge of the expriment and sign a waiver to give their consent 

Limited deception- deception is only permitted when it is necessary for the outcome, and must be limited to avoid harm 

Protection from harm and discomfort- limit harm and risk 

Confidentiality- participant personal info is kept private 

Debriefing- researchers must reveal all relevant information about the experiment