TOPIC 2: PSYCHOLOGY AND RESEARCH Flashcards Preview

PSYCHOLOGY 104 > TOPIC 2: PSYCHOLOGY AND RESEARCH > Flashcards

Flashcards in TOPIC 2: PSYCHOLOGY AND RESEARCH Deck (40)
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1
Q

THEORY, HYPOTHESIS, AND RESEARCH

A

goal is to create a useful theory: an organized set of principles.

  • helps simplify facts about an aspect of the world.
  • serves as coherent explanation.
  • should allow testable predictions
2
Q

scientific theories

A

are well substantiated, well-supported, well documented explanations for our observations.

theories are not absolute, they are open to change if better evidence is found.

3
Q

scientific laws

A

can describe, but only theories can explain.

4
Q

the scientific method

A
  1. ask questions, make observations, describe the phenomenon
  2. develop an explanation (theory)
  3. generate a hypothesis: testable prediction derived from a theory
  4. design research study
  5. collect relevant information

6 analyze and interpret the info; compare results with hypothesis

  1. solicit peer reviews and report findings.
5
Q

what is a hypothesis

A

a prediction which is testable and is originally derived from a theory .

6
Q

case study

A

an in-depth study of an individual, group, m or event by observation. in person meeting, structured psychological tests, recording of physiological activity, on performance on certain tasks, or from archival records.

7
Q

pros and cons of case study

A

PROS:
-can be revealing and detailed

CONS:
-cannot determine cause of behaviour.

-atypical subject precludes generalization.

8
Q

survey

A

peoples self-reports to a questionnaire or interview

9
Q

pros and cons to surveys

A

PROS :
- reveals patterns in large numbers of people.

  • easy to administer and score

CONS:
- effects of extremes are mediated

  • demand characteristic : response can be influence by the questions itself
    (how wording effects)
10
Q

naturalistic observation

A

recording behaviour in organisms natural environment

11
Q

pros and cons to naturalistic observations

A

PROS:
- subjects unaffected by presence of researches

  • describes behaviour in natural contexts; wide applicability

CONS:
- cannot determine cause of behaviour

  • loss of experimental control
12
Q

correlation

A

two different variables are measured form individuals, and statistically analyzed for a relationship

13
Q

positive correlation

A

direct relationship between two variables, when one is effected so does the other.

14
Q

negative correlation

A

inverse relationship between two variables, when one is effected a certain way, the other variables is affected I the opposite direction.

15
Q

zero correlation

A

no relationship, the variables have no effect on on one another,

16
Q

pros and cons for correlation

A

PROS:
- may reveal relationship between variables

  • can guide future by generating hypotheses

CONS:
- correlation does not mean that one variable causes the other (correlation does not imply causation)

17
Q

components of an experimentation

A
  • indépendant variable
  • dependant variable
  • experimental group
  • control group
18
Q

independent variable

A

factor of interest manipulated by experimentor

19
Q

dependant variable

A

factor measured by experimenter (“effect”)

  • all extraneous factors are controlled or held constant
20
Q

experimental group

A

receive manipulated level of independent variable

21
Q

control group

A

receive normal level independent variable

22
Q

pros and cons to experimentation

A

PROS:
- allows cause and effect conclusions

CONS:
- unexpected variables

  • some variables cannot be manipulated
23
Q

why are experiments conducted ??

A
  • we learn cause and effect explanations

- thus, we control factors in an experiment

24
Q

why are experiments valid ??

A
  • experiments provide support for a theory
  • theory explains universe principles of behaviour
  • these occur in a lab, as well as in real life.
25
Q

hindsight bias

A
  • events aren’t obvious beforehand, but they seem very predictable after they occur.
26
Q

over confindence

A

false image of how confidence means correctness when it doesn’t.

27
Q

confirmation bias

A

seeking evidence confirming your beliefs–even to the exclusion of contradictory information

SOLUTION: replication of observation by others

28
Q

sampling bias

A

sample is not representative of the population.

SOLUTION: random selection.

29
Q

experimenter bias

A

researcher expectations influence change in dependant variable

SOLUTION: double-blind procedure, neither participant nor experimenter knows which treatment the participant is receiving.

30
Q

MODE

A

most common score, typically the highest score.

31
Q

MEDIAN

A

model score (50th percentile)

32
Q

MEAN

A

arithmetic average ( sum of scores divided by the numbers obscures)

33
Q

RANGE

A

difference between the highest score and lowest score

34
Q

standard deviation

A

average distance of the scores from the mean; indicates spread of scores around the mean

35
Q

normal curve

A

regular pattern of variability of human characteristics In the population

36
Q

correlation coefficient

A
  • index of degree and directions of relationship between two variables
  • positive / negative sign indicates relationship
  • (0.00-1.00) indicates strength of relationship
37
Q

inferential statistics

A

allows interpretation of sample data; generalization

38
Q

statistically significant

A

if the probability is unlikely

<0.05

39
Q

Null hypothesis (H0)

A

in an experiment, the null hypothesis typically states that there is no difference between the experimental groups and control groups

40
Q

complications of inferential statistics

A
  • larger samples are better (closer match to population)
  • less variability is preferable ( can be more confident in stable results)
  • there is no such thing as an average person.