AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Psychology - Myers for Psychology AP Unit 2 Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

Terms : Hide Images
7423858018Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
7423858019Double Blind ProcedureAn experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies1
7423858020Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
7423858021Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
7423858022ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
7423858023MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
7423858024MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
7423858025Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
7423858026Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
7423858027Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
7423858028Scatter plotA graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation10
7423858029Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
7423858030Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
7423858031SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
7423858032Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
7423858033CorrelationA measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other. The correlation coefficient is the mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1 to +115
7423858034ExperimentA research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effects on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant variable16
7423858035ReplicationRepeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances17
7423858036Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
7423858037Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
7423858038Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
7423858039Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
7423858040Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
7423858041Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
7423858042Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
7423858043Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
7423858044Placeboexperimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.26
7423858045Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
7423858046Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
7423858047Control Groupin an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.29
7423858048Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
7423858049Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
7423858050Normal Curve/distributiona symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer near the extremes32
7423858051Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
7423858052Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
7423858053Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
7423858054Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
7423858055Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
7423858056Daniel Kahnemanan Israeli psychologist and Nobel laureate, who is notable for his work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making, behavioral economics and hedonistic psychology.38
7423858057James Randimagician exemplifies skepticism. He has tested and debunked a variety of psychic phenomena39
7423858058Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!