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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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6504442316Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
6504442317Double 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
6504442318Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
6504442319Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
6504442320ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
6504442321MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
6504442322MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
6504442323Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
6504442324Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
6504442325Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
6504442326Scatter 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
6504442327Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
6504442328Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
6504442329SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
6504442330Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
6504442331CorrelationA 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
6504442332ExperimentA 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
6504442333ReplicationRepeating 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
6504442334Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
6504442335Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
6504442336Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
6504442337Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
6504442338Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
6504442339Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
6504442340Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
6504442341Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
6504442342Placeboexperimental 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
6504442343Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
6504442344Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
6504442345Control 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
6504442346Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
6504442347Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
6504442348Normal 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
6504442349Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
6504442350Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
6504442351Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
6504442352Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
6504442353Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
6504442354Daniel 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
6504442355longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
6504442356Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
6610793641confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
6610800434Null 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
6610815585confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
6610817523protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
6610819494Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
6610821922minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
6610824105framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
6610853644Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
6610866092Skewed distribution to the left49
6610882360Skewed distribution to the right50
6610884128variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
6610891256Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
6610894587Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
6610897746Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
6610900781Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
6610905521Edward 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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