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Chapter 2 (Psychology) Flashcards

Key terms from Chapter 2 of Wayne Weiten's Psychology: Themes and Variations, 2nd Canadian edition.

Terms : Hide Images
283524186HypothesisA tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables0
283524187VariablesAny measurable conditions, events, characteristics, or behaviors that are controlled or observed in a study1
283524189TheoryA system or interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations2
283524190Operational definitionDescribes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable3
283524201Research methodsConsist of various approaches to the observation measurement, manipulation and control of variables in empirical studies.4
283524202ExperimentA research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any changes occur in a second variable as a result5
283524210Random assignmentOccurs when all subjects have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition in the study6
283525593Correlationexists when two variables are related to each other7
283526458ReplicationThe repetition of a study to see whether the earlier results are duplicated8
283526461Sampling biasExists when a sample is not representative of the population from which it was drawn9
283526462Social desirabilityWhen someone answer a question based on what they think is socially appropraite10
283526463Experimenter biasOccurs when a researchers expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained11
283526485Placebo EffectThis occurs when participants' expectations lead them to experience some change even though they receive empty, fake, or ineffectual treatment12
283526486Populationthe much larger collection of animals or people (from which the sample is drawn) that researchers want to generalize about13
283526492SampleThe collection of subjects selected for observation in an empirical study14
811444731Participants or subjectsperson in the study15
230340463samplecollections of subjects16
832077576Surveyresearchers use questionnaires or interviews to gather information about specific aspects of participants' backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs, or behavior17
691279471Halo effectwhich occurs when someone's overall evaluation of a person, object, or institution spills over to influence more specific ratings18
89440093direct observationobservers are trained to watch and record behaviors as objectively and precisely as possible. They may use some instrumentation, stopwatch19
79610443Questionnairesubjects are administered a series of written questions designed to obtain information about attitudes, opinions, and specific aspects of their behavior20
673330083Psychological testsubjects are administered a standardized measure to obtain a sample of their behavior. Tests are usually used to assess mental abilities or personality traits21
136945763Goals of the scientific enterprise1. measurement and description- science's commitment to observation requires that researchers figure out a way to measure the phenomenon under study. 2. Understanding and prediction- scientists believe that they understand events hen they can explain the reasons for their occurrence 3. Application and Control- scientists hope that the information they gather will be of some practical value n helping to solve everyday problems22
332496408Steps to scientific investigation1. formulate a hypothesis 2. design a study 3. collect the data 4. analyze the data and draw conclusions 5. report the findings (scholarly journal, peer review)23
482501800APA Principleintegrity- have to be honest/accurate/truthful24

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