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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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7804999810Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
7804999811Double 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
7804999812Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
7804999813Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
7804999814ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
7804999815MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
7804999816MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
7804999817Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
7804999818Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
7804999819Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
7804999820Scatter 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
7804999821Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
7804999822Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
7804999823SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
7804999824Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
7804999825CorrelationA 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
7804999826ExperimentA 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
7804999827ReplicationRepeating 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
7804999828Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
7804999829Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
7804999830Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
7804999831Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
7804999832Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
7804999833Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
7804999834Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
7804999835Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
7804999836Placeboexperimental 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
7804999837Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
7804999838Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
7804999839Control 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
7804999840Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
7804999841Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
7804999842Normal 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
7804999843Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
7804999844Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
7804999845Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
7804999846Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
7804999847Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
7804999848Daniel 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
7804999849longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
7804999850Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
7804999851confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
7804999852Null hypothesisResearchers work to reject, nullify or disprove the null hypothesis. Researchers come up with an alternate hypothesis, one that they think explains a phenomenon, and then work to reject the null hypothesis.42
7804999853confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
7804999854protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
7804999855Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
7804999856minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
7804999857framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
7804999858Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
7804999859Skewed distribution to the left49
7804999860Skewed distribution to the right50
7804999861variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
7804999862Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
7804999863Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
7804999864Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
7804999865Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
7804999866Edward TitchenerStudied with Wilhelm Wundt prior to becoming a psychology professor. His ideas created the basis for a school of thought called structuralism.56

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