AP-Psychology - Correlation & Experimentation Flashcards

Front: What is correlation?

Back: A measure of the relationship between two variables; it does not imply causation.

Front: What does "correlation ≠ causation" mean?

Back: Just because two variables are related does not mean one causes the other. A third variable may be influencing both.

Front: What is a positive correlation?

Back: A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together (e.g., the more Blair schemes, the closer she and Chuck get).

Front: What is a negative correlation?

Back: A relationship where one variable increases while the other decreases (e.g., as Serena’s popularity rises, Blair’s social power declines).

Front: What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

Back: The factor that is manipulated or changed by the researcher (e.g., Blair sending Jenny to flirt with Chuck).

Front: What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

Back: The factor that is measured to see if it changes due to the IV (e.g., whether Chuck stays loyal or not).

Front: What is the experimental group?

Back: The group that receives the independent variable (e.g., Chuck being tested with Jenny’s flirting).

Front: What is the control group?

Back: The group that does not receive the independent variable (e.g., Chuck left alone to see if he cheats naturally).

Front: What is random assignment?

Back: Randomly placing participants into control or experimental groups to reduce bias.

Front: What is the placebo effect?

Back: When participants experience changes just because they believe they are receiving treatment (e.g., Serena thinking she’s being dethroned and acting like it’s true).

Front: What is a double-blind procedure?

Back: When both the participants and researchers don’t know who is in the experimental or control group, preventing bias.

Front: What are confounding variables?

Back: Extra variables that may affect the results (e.g., Dorota secretly interfering in Blair’s loyalty test on Chuck).