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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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10404002116Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
10404002117Double 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
10404002118Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
10404002119Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
10404002120ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
10404002121MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
10404002122MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
10404002123Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
10404002124Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
10404002125Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
10404002126Scatter 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
10404002127Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
10404002128Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
10404002129SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
10404002130Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
10404002131CorrelationA 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
10404002132ExperimentA 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
10404002133ReplicationRepeating 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
10404002134Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
10404002135Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
10404002136Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
10404002137Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
10404002138Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
10404002139Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
10404002140Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
10404002141Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
10404002142Placeboexperimental 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
10404002143Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
10404002144Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
10404002145Control 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
10404002146Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
10404002147Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
10404002148Normal 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
10404002149Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
10404002150Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
10404002151Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
10404002152Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
10404002153Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
10404002154Daniel 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
10404002155longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
10404002156Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
10404002157confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
10404002158Null 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
10404002159confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
10404002160protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
10404002161Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
10404002162minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
10404002163framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
10404002164Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
10404002171Skewed distribution to the left49
10404002172Skewed distribution to the right50
10404002165variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
10404002166Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
10404002167Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
10404002168Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
10404002169Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
10404002170Edward 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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