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AP Psychology Unit 2 Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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9480673203Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
9480673204Double 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
9480673205Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
9480673206Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
9480673207ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
9480673208MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
9480673209MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
9480673210Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
9480673211Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
9480673212Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
9480673213Scatter 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
9480673214Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
9480673215Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
9480673216SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
9480673217Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
9480673218CorrelationA 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
9480673219ExperimentA 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
9480673220ReplicationRepeating 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
9480673221Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
9480673222Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
9480673223Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
9480673224Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
9480673225Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
9480673226Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
9480673227Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
9480673228Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
9480673229Placeboexperimental 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
9480673230Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
9480673231Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
9480673232Control 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
9480673233Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
9480673234Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
9480673235Normal 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
9480673236Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
9480673237Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
9480673238Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
9480673239Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
9480673240Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
9480673241Daniel 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
9480673242James Randimagician exemplifies skepticism. He has tested and debunked a variety of psychic phenomena39
9480673243Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40

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