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AP Psychology RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

Unit 2 of Myers Psychology for AP

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10383928526Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it0
10383928527Double 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
10383928528Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated--the variable whose effect is being studied2
10383928529Dependent VariablesThe outcome factor -- the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable3
10383928530ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution4
10383928531MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtaining by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores5
10383928532MedianThe middle score in a distribution--half the scores are above it and half are below it6
10383928533Standard DeviationsA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score7
10383928534Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance ,thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups8
10383928535Random SamplingA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion9
10383928536Scatter 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
10383928537Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists11
10383928538Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles12
10383928539SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them13
10383928540Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation14
10383928541CorrelationA 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
10383928542ExperimentA 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
10383928543ReplicationRepeating 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
10383928544Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance18
10383928545Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Ex human intelligence -- what an intelligence test measures.19
10383928546Critical Thinkingthinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.20
10383928547Theoryan explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations21
10383928548Hypothesisa testable prediction, often implied by a theory22
10383928549Populationall the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study23
10383928550Sampleitems selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population24
10383928551Correlation Coefficienta statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)25
10383928552Placeboexperimental 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
10383928553Placebo Effectany effect that seems to be a consequence of administering a placebo27
10383928554Experimental Groupin an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.28
10383928555Control 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
10383928556Confounding Variablea factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.30
10383928557Rangethe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution31
10383928558Normal 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
10383928559Inferential Statisticsnumerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance33
10383928560Culturethe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next34
10383928561Informed Consentan ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate35
10383928562Debriefingthe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants36
10383928563Kenneth and Mamie ClarkUsed dolls to study children's attitude towards race. Their findings were used in the Brown vs. Board trial.37
10383928564Daniel 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
10383928565longitudinal studyresearchers follow the same subjects over an extended period of time.39
10383928566Amos TverskyA key figure in the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias40
10383928567confirmation biasexperimenter might consciously or unconsciously look to confirm what they already believe about their hypothesis41
10383928568Null 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
10383928569confidentialityresearchers may not release or publish the names of anyone participating in the experiment.43
10383928570protection of participantsAll participants are protected from physical mental and emotional harm.44
10383928571Right to discontinueParticipants have the right to end their participation during any phase of an experiment.45
10383928572minimum of deceptionResearchers have an obligation to avoid deceiving participants whenever possible.46
10383928573framingthe way questions are worded can dramatically impact the results of your survey.47
10383928574Descriptive Statisticsdescribe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.48
10383928581Skewed distribution to the left49
10383928582Skewed distribution to the right50
10383928575variancemeasures how far a data set is spread out. The technical definition is "The average of the squared differences from the mean."51
10383928576Mary Whiton CalkinsDenied a PhD by Harvard though she met the doctoral requirements, but later became first female president of the APA.52
10383928577Margaret Floy WashburnFirst woman to receive a PhD in psychology. Later became the 2nd female president of the APA.53
10383928578Francis SumnerFirst African American man to receive a PhD in psychology in 1920.54
10383928579Inez ProsserFirst African American woman to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.55
10383928580Edward 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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