Evaluative Terms

Question 1

Generalisability

Answer 1

The extent to which the findings of a study can be used to understand other situations, populations, settings, or time periods beyond specific context of research

Question 2

Reliability

Answer 2

A study should be able to be repeated in exactly the same way to check that the results are the same when completed by another researcher

Question 3

Reductionism

Answer 3

The process of reducing complex behaviour into a simpler form to make it easier to study & establish a causal relationship by removing potential confounding/ extraneous variables.
“ “ makes research scientific, which is what psychology strives to be- so can be viewed as a positive

Question 4

Holism/istic

Answer 4

The idea that human behaviour should be viewed as a whole integrated experience, not reduced to aa singular causal factor and as separate parts

Question 5

Applicability

Answer 5

The relevance and practical usefulness of psychological theories, research and interventions in real-world situations

Question 6

Validity

Answer 6

The extent to which a research study measures what it is intended to measure.
It’s a crucial concept for ensuring that research findings are accurate, trustworthy, and meaningful

Question 7

Internal Validity

Answer 7

The degree to which a study establishes a trustworthy cause-and-effect relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable

Question 8

Ecological Validity

Answer 8

Refers to how well the results of a study represent real-world behaviour. High ecological validity means the findings are likely to be applicable to real-world scenarios, while a lower validity suggests that results may be limited to specific, artificial conditions of a study

Question 9

Ethics (HUMAN)

Answer 9

Refers to the moral principles and values that guide the code of conduct of psychologists hen conducting research or interventions. Ensuring the well-being and rights of the individuals involved in research studies or receiving therapeutic services

Question 10

Credible

Answer 10

The confidence psychologists can have in a theory or intervention given that the research evidence supports it

Question 11

Subjectivity

Answer 11

Analysis of data could be affected by personal feelings, prejudices, and interpretations - data may be interpreted in many ways

Question 12

Objectivity

Answer 12

Analysis of data is based on facts and data rather than the researcher’s subjective interpretations.

Question 13

Androcentrism

Answer 13

A type of gender bias, where male experience/behaviour is seen as the standard for what counts as ‘normal’ or desired behaviour

Question 14

Confounding Variables

Answer 14

Any extraneous variable that was not controlled during research design that has had an impact on the dependent variable

Question 15

Dependent Variable

Answer 15

The variable that is measured

Question 16

Ethnocentrism

Answer 16

Seeing the world from only one ‘s own cultural perspective, AND believing that this one perspective is both normal and correct. Then saying that people’s behaviour would be the same in every culture

Question 17

Extraneous Variables

Answer 17

Variables other than the independent variable that COULD affect the dependent variable in a study if not controlled

Question 18

Idiographic Approach

Answer 18

The study of human behaviour by focusing on the individuals and their differences and the uniqueness of their experiences

Question 19

Independent Variables

Answer 19

The variable that is manipulated/ changed to see how it affects the dependent variable

Question 20

Nomothetic Approach

Answer 20

Seeks to identify universal traits and patterns of behaviour in order to establish universal laws or principles of behaviour

Question 21

Operationalisation

Answer 21

How a variable is clearly defined in a specific, measurable way by a researcher