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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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12539128363Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
12539128364Double 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
12539128365Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
12539128366Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
12539128367ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
12539128368MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
12539128369MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
12539128370Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
12539128371Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
12539128372Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
12539128373Scatter 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
12539128374Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
12539128375Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
12539128376SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
12539128377Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
12539128378CorrelationA 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
12539128379ExperimentA 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
12539128380ReplicationRepeating 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
12539128381Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
12539128382Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
12539128383Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
12539128384Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
12539128385Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
12539128386Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
12539128387Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
12539128388Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
12539128389Placeboexperimental 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
12539128390Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
12539128391Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
12539128392Control 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
12539128393Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
12539128394Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
12539128395Normal 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
12539128396Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
12539128397Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
12539128398Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
12539128399Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
12539128400Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
12539128401Daniel 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
12539128402longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
12539128403Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
12539128404confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
12539128405Null 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
12539128406confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
12539128407protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
12539128408Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
12539128409minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
12539128410framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
12539128411Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
12539128418Skewed distribution to the left49
12539128419Skewed distribution to the right50
12539128412variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
12539128413Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
12539128414Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
12539128415Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
12539128416Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
12539128417Edward 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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