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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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13725517731Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
13725517732Double 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
13725517733Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
13725517734Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
13725517735ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
13725517736MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
13725517737MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
13725517738Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
13725517739Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
13725517740Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
13725517741Scatter 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
13725517742Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
13725517743Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
13725517744SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
13725517745Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
13725517746CorrelationA 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
13725517747ExperimentA 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
13725517748ReplicationRepeating 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
13725517749Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
13725517750Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
13725517751Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
13725517752Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
13725517753Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
13725517754Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
13725517755Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
13725517756Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
13725517757Placeboexperimental 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
13725517758Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
13725517759Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
13725517760Control 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
13725517761Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
13725517762Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
13725517763Normal 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
13725517764Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
13725517765Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
13725517766Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
13725517767Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
13725517768Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
13725517769Daniel 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
13725517770longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
13725517771Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
13725517772confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
13725517773Null 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
13725517774confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
13725517775protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
13725517776Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
13725517777minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
13725517778framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
13725517779Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
13725517786Skewed distribution to the left49
13725517787Skewed distribution to the right50
13725517780variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
13725517781Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
13725517782Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
13725517783Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
13725517784Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
13725517785Edward 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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