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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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8420042885Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
8420042886Double 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
8420042887Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
8420042888Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
8420042889ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
8420042890MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
8420042891MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
8420042892Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
8420042893Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
8420042894Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
8420042895Scatter 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
8420042896Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
8420042897Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
8420042898SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
8420042899Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
8420042900CorrelationA 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
8420042901ExperimentA 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
8420042902ReplicationRepeating 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
8420042903Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
8420042904Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
8420042905Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
8420042906Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
8420042907Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
8420042908Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
8420042909Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
8420042910Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
8420042911Placeboexperimental 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
8420042912Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
8420042913Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
8420042914Control 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
8420042915Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
8420042916Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
8420042917Normal 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
8420042918Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
8420042919Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
8420042920Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
8420042921Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
8420042922Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
8420042923Daniel 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
8420042924longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
8420042925Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
8420042926confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
8420042927Null 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
8420042928confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
8420042929protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
8420042930Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
8420042931minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
8420042932framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
8420042933Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
8420042934Skewed distribution to the left49
8420042935Skewed distribution to the right50
8420042936variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
8420042937Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
8420042938Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
8420042939Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
8420042940Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
8420042941Edward 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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