? ap psychology ?

Theory

An integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts behavior

Hypothesis

A testable prediction often implied by a theory

Operational Definitions

Statements (description) of the procedures used to define research variables

Replication

Repeating the essence of a study, usually with different participants in different situations

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after learning the outcome, that you knew how it would turn out

Goal of research

To describe, predict & explain behavior

Case Study

A descriptive technique in which one person is studied in depth of the hope of revealing universal principles

Naturalistic Observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situation without manipulation or controlling the situation

Survey

A techniques for obtaining self reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them

Population

All of the people in a particular group from with a sample may be drawn

Random Sample

A subset of people who fairly represent the population because each person has an equal chance of being selected. Using a random sample increase the the generalizability (external validity) of a study

False Consensus Effect

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors

Social Desirability Bias

Tendency of subjects to present themselves in a socially desirable light

Correlational Research

Research that seeks to measure the RELATIONSHIP between two variables without trying to determine causality or manipulating either of the variables

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots, each which represents the values of two variables.The slope of the dots represents the direction (+ or -) of the relationship while the amount of "scatter" suggests the strength of the correlation.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other. The statistic is always between of -1.00 and +1.00

Positive Correlation

When one variable increases, so does the other

Negative Correlation

When one variable increases, the other decreases

Regardless of the strength of the relationship, correlations cannot tell us that one variable CAUSES changes in the other because

1) Variable X could be affecting variable Y OR variable Y could be affecting variable X
2) Third variables could be affecting BOTH variables X and Y

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables where none truly exists

Differential Research

Research that involves comparing two or more exiting groups on some variable of interest. The groups are typically based on some pre existing subject variable (e.g., gender, age, IQ, personality trait, etc.)

The True Experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) in order to observe the effect on some behavior or mental processes (dependent variables) By randomly assigning participants to other groups, other factors

Independent Variable

The factor that is being manipulated by the researchers. The theoretical "cause" in the cause and effect relationsip

Dependent Variable

The factor (a behavior or mental process) that is being measured by the researchers. The variable that is predicted to change in response to manipulation of the IV

Operational Definitions

Specific statements describing how the IV is manipulated and how the DV is measured

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to control and experimental conditions on the basis of chance, thus minimizing pre existing differences between the groups (i.e.,it controls preexisting subject variables)

Experimental Condition (or Group)

The condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment of interest, that is, to one level of the independent variable

Control Condition (or Group)

The condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Statistically significant difference

at the conclusion of the experiment, the mean scores the experimental and control groups receive on the DEPENDENT VARIABLE are COMPARED to determine if this exists

Internal Validity

The extent to which one can be confident that the manipulation of the IV caused the changes of DV. Internal validity can be assured only if all potential confounding variables have been controlled

Random Assignment

Controls pre existing subject variables

Control Group

Controls history, maturation, and testing effects

Placebo

An inert substance given to the control group in place of an actual medication. It controls the Placebo Effect.

Placebo Effecr

Experimental results caused by the subjects expectations alone.

Double Blind Design

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether subjects are in the control or experimental groups (commonly used in drug evaluation studies) This type of design controls subject

Subject Effects or Biases

Any response by subjects in a study that does not represent how they would normally behave if not under study. Two powerful subject effects are the placebo effect and the demand characteristics of the study

Demand Characteristics

Aspects of the study that suggest to the subjects what type of behavior is expected or desired by the researchers

Experimenter Effects or Biases

Any behavior of a researcher that might affect the behavior of the subjects or affect the measurement and recording of the dependent variable

The Quasi-experimental Design

Designs similar to true experiments, but without all of the control techniques built in (e.g., random assignment may not be used)

Ethics

The APA has strict guidelines which must be followed when using both human and animal subjects.

Experimental Method RM

Research in which the researcher controls all the conditions and directly manipulates the conditions
Examples: Create an experiment to see if sugar can cause children to be hyperactive

Correlational Study RM

A type of research that is many statistical in nature
--They determine the relationship, or correlation, between two variables
Examples: Looking at statistics to determine if smoking can cause lung cancer?

Survey Method RM

Research method in which questions are asked to subjects through a survey
Example: Determining if high school students are conservative or liberal and why

Naturalist Observation RM

The subjects are observed in their natural environment
Example: Observing kindergartners during their school day

Case Study RM

In depth analysis of a particular individual
Case studies often include face to face interviews, paper and pencil tests, and more
Example: Observing the behavior of a four year old child at home

Longitudinal Study RM

A type of study in which one group of subjects is followed and observed for an extended period of time (years)
Example: Studying the graduating class of HVHS until they reach the age of 30

Cross-sectional Study RM

Research that involves looking at different groups of people of different ages
Example: A research might measure or observe a group of young adults and compare this data with information gathered about a group of elderly participants

Cohort*-Sequential Study

A research method in which a large cross section of the population is chosen and then each group is followed for a short period of time
Example: When studying depression in people aged 30 to 90 years of age, each group (30 year olds, 40 year olds, 50 year