PSYC290 > Unit 2 > Flashcards

Unit 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Front

A

Back

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2
Q

Neal Miller

A

Psychologist known for work on biofeedback and motivation.

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3
Q

Robert Rosenthal

A

Psychologist who studied experimenter expectancy effects and bias.

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4
Q

Stanley Schachter

A

Psychologist known for the two-factor theory of emotion.

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5
Q

Anecdotal evidence

A

Personal stories or isolated examples instead of systematic research.

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6
Q

Case study

A

An in-depth study of a single individual or small group.

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7
Q

Confounding of variables

A

When two variables are intertwined so their effects can’t be separated.

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8
Q

Control group

A

Group that does not receive the experimental treatment for comparison.

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9
Q

Correlation

A

A measure of the relationship between two variables.

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10
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

A number from -1 to +1 showing strength and direction of a correlation.

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11
Q

Correlational research

A

Research that measures relationships between variables without manipulation.

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12
Q

Data collection techniques

A

Ways researchers gather information (e.g., surveys, observation).

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13
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable affected by the independent variable.

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14
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Statistics that summarize and describe data.

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15
Q

Double-blind procedure

A

Neither participants nor researchers know who gets the treatment.

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16
Q

Ethical guidelines

A

Principles ensuring participants’ safety, consent, and confidentiality.

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17
Q

Experiment

A

A research method with controlled conditions to test cause and effect.

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18
Q

Experimental group

A

Group that receives the experimental treatment.

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19
Q

Experimental research

A

Research that involves manipulation of one variable to observe effects.

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20
Q

Experimenter bias

A

Bias caused when a researcher’s expectations influence results.

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21
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Other variables that may affect the dependent variable.

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22
Q

Frequency distribution

A

A summary showing how often each score occurs.

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23
Q

Frequency polygon

A

A line graph showing the shape of a frequency distribution.

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24
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction about a relationship between variables.

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25
Independent variable
The variable manipulated by the researcher.
26
Inferential statistics
Statistics used to infer general conclusions from data.
27
Journal
A publication that shares new scientific research.
28
Mean
The arithmetic average of a set of scores.
29
Median
The middle score in a distribution.
30
Meta-analysis
Combining results from many studies on the same topic.
31
Mode
The most frequently occurring score.
32
Naturalistic observation
Observing behavior in its natural setting without interference.
33
Negatively skewed distribution
Distribution with most scores high and few low outliers.
34
Normal distribution
A symmetrical, bell-shaped frequency distribution.
35
Operational definition
A clear statement of how variables are measured or defined.
36
Participants or subjects
The individuals who take part in a study.
37
Percentile score
Indicates the percentage of scores below a particular score.
38
Placebo effects
When expectations produce changes in behavior without treatment.
39
Positively skewed distribution
Distribution with most scores low and few high outliers.
40
Random assignment
Randomly placing participants into groups to reduce bias.
41
Reactivity
When subjects change behavior because they know they’re being observed.
42
Replication
Repeating a study to verify the findings.
43
Research methods
General strategies for conducting psychological studies.
44
Response set
A pattern of responding that’s unrelated to actual content.
45
Sample
A smaller group drawn from a population for study.
46
Sampling bias
When the sample doesn’t accurately represent the population.
47
Social desirability bias
When participants try to look good instead of being honest.
48
Statistical significance
The likelihood that results occurred by chance is low (usually p < .05).
49
Statistics
Mathematical methods for analyzing data.
50
Survey
A questionnaire that gathers data from many people quickly.
51
Standard deviation
A measure of how much scores vary from the mean.
52
Theory
A system of ideas used to explain observations.
53
Variability
The extent to which scores differ from each other.
54
Front
Back
55
Briefly identify and describe the three goals of the scientific enterprise.
1. Measurement and description: develop reliable ways to measure behavior. 2. Understanding and prediction: explain why events occur. 3. Application and control: use knowledge to solve problems.
56
What are the five steps in scientific investigations?
1. Formulate a hypothesis. 2. Select research method and design the study. 3. Collect the data. 4. Analyze the data and draw conclusions. 5. Report the findings.
57
Define an operational definition, participants (or subjects), and data collection techniques.
Operational definition: states how a variable is measured. Participants: people or animals studied. Data collection techniques: methods for gathering data (e.g., observation, surveys).
58
Describe two advantages of the scientific approach as it relates to the study of behaviour.
1. Clarity and precision—reduces confusion. 2. Intolerance of error—self-correcting through replication.
59
Define an experiment. Define and give examples of the three types of variables (independent, dependent, and extraneous) that may be encountered in an experiment.
Experiment: controlled procedure to test cause and effect. Independent variable: manipulated (e.g., drug dosage). Dependent variable: measured (e.g., mood score). Extraneous variable: uncontrolled factors (e.g., sleep).
60
Distinguish between experimental and control groups, and explain their relationship in an experiment.
Experimental group receives treatment; control group does not. Comparison between them shows effect of the independent variable.
61
Why is it sometimes advantageous to use only one group of subjects who serve as their own control?
It controls for individual differences since the same participants are used in both conditions.
62
Explain the major advantages and disadvantages of the experimental method.
Advantages: allows causal conclusions; control over variables. Disadvantages: artificiality of lab settings; ethical/practical limits.
63
Distinguish between the experimental and the descriptive/correlational research methods. Discuss three descriptive research methods (i.e., naturalistic observation, case studies, and surveys).
Experimental: manipulates variables for cause/effect. Descriptive/correlational: observes without manipulation. Methods: naturalistic observation (real settings), case study (in-depth on one), survey (self-reports).
64
Explain the major advantages and disadvantages of descriptive/correlational research. What is the main disadvantage of descriptive/correlational research?
Advantages: study behavior in real life, broad topics. Disadvantages: cannot infer cause-effect. Main disadvantage: no control over variables.
65
Distinguish between a positive and a negative correlation. Explain how the size of a correlation coefficient relates to the strength of an association.
Positive correlation: variables move same direction. Negative: opposite directions. Closer to ±1 = stronger relationship.
66
Explain how a correlation relates to prediction and causation. Provide and recognize original examples of two variables that are positively or negatively correlated but that are not causally related.
Correlation predicts one variable from another but doesn’t show cause. Example: ice cream sales and drownings (positive, not causal).
67
Describe the importance of replication in scientific research.
Replication confirms reliability and rules out chance or error findings.
68
Describe the four common flaws in research: sampling bias, placebo effects, distortions in self-report data, and experimenter bias.
Sampling bias: unrepresentative samples. Placebo effects: expectations alter behavior. Self-report distortion: lying or bias. Experimenter bias: expectations influence results.
69
What is the double-blind procedure?
Neither participants nor experimenters know who receives treatment or placebo—reduces bias.
70
Discuss the controversy regarding the use of deception in psychological research.
Supporters say deception can be necessary for valid results; critics say it harms trust and participants’ consent.
71
Discuss how Canada applies ethical guidelines to the use of animals as research subjects.
Canadian Council on Animal Care enforces humane treatment, minimizing harm, and using animals only when necessary.
72
Explain how Chapter 2 highlights two of the Weiten and McCann (2019) text’s unifying themes.
Highlights themes: (1) psychology is empirical, (2) behavior is determined by multiple causes.
73
Describe the standard organization of a published journal article.
Typical sections: Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References.
74
Define anecdotal evidence. Describe the perils of using anecdotal evidence in the decision-making process.
Anecdotal evidence: personal stories. Problem: often unreliable, biased, and not generalizable.
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