Myers Psychology-Chapter 2.

Front 1

Hindsight Bias

Back 1

The Tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have forseen it. (I knew it all along Phenomenon.)

Front 2

Critical Thinking

Back 2

Examines assumptions, dicerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and asseses conclusions. (What is a person's agenda? Is the conclusion based on anecdote and gut feelings, or on evidence? Does the evidence justify a cause and effect conclusion? What alternative explanations are possible?)

Front 3

Theory

Back 3

An explanation using a integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events. (EX: Low self esteem feeds depression.)

Front 4

Hypothesis

Back 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory. (EX: People with low self esteem will score higher on a depression scale.)

Front 5

Operational Definition

Back 5

A statement of the procedures (Operations) used to define research variables. They Describe concepts with precise procedures or measures. (EX 1: Human Intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures. EX 2: Hunger might be defined as "hours without eating" Generosity defined as "money contributed")

Front 6

Replication (Repeat)

Back 6

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Front 7

Case Study

Back 7

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Front 8

Survey

Back 8

A technique for ascertaining the self reported attitude or behaviors of a prticular group, usually by questioning a representitave, random sample of the group. (Look at many cases in less depth.)

Front 9

Random Sample

Back 9

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has a n equal chance of inclusion. (EX: Numbering the names in the general student listing and then using a random number generator to pick the participants for your survey.)

Front 10

Naturalistic Observation

Back 10

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occuring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation. Does not explain behavior, it describes. (EX: Golden Corral.)

Front 11

Correlation

Back 11

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other,

Front 12

Population

Back 12

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn. (The group you want to study/Describe)

Front 13

Correlation Coefficent

Back 13

A statistical index of the relationship between two things. (-1 to +1)

Front 14

Scatterplot

Back 14

A graphed cluster of dots, each of vwhich represents the values of two variables. (Little scatter represents high correlation.)

Front 15

Illusory Correlation

Back 15

The perception of a relationship where none exists. (EX: A couple conceives a baby after adopting.)

Front 16

Experiment

Back 16

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variable) to observe the effect on some mental or behavioral processes. (dependent variable.)

Front 17

Random Assignment

Back 17

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting diffrences between those assigned to the diferent groups. (EX: By Randomly assigning infants to one feeding group or the other, researchers were able to hold constant all factors except nutrition.)

Front 18

Double-Blind Procedure

Back 18

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are blind about whether the research participants have recieved the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Front 19

Placebo Effect

Back 19

"Thinking" you're getting a treatment can boost your spirits, relax your body, and relieve your symptoms.

Front 20

Experimental Group

Back 20

The group that is exposed to the treatment.

Front 21

Control Group

Back 21

The group that is NOT exposed to the treatment.

Front 22

Independent Variable

Back 22

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable who's effect is being studied. (EX: Mens age, weight, and personality.)

Front 23

Confounding Variable

Back 23

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in the experiment.

Front 24

Dependent Variable

Back 24

The outcome factor; The variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Front 25

Mode

Back 25

The most frequentlu occurring scores in a distribution.

Front 26

Median

Back 26

The middle score in a distribution; Half the scores are above it, and half are below it.

Front 27

Range

Back 27

Th difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Front 28

Mean

Back 28

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Front 29

Standard Deviation

Back 29

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Front 30

Normal Curve

Back 30

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes.

Front 31

Statistical Significance

Back 31

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance. (EX: When the example averages are reliable, and relatively large.)

Front 32

Culture

Back 32

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Front 33

Informed Consent

Back 33

An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Front 34

Debriefing

Back 34

The postexperimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Front 35

Kenneth Clark

Back 35

n.a

Front 36

Mamie Phipps Clark

Back 36

n.a

Front 37

Daniel Kahneman

Back 37

n.a

Front 38

James Randi

Back 38

n.a

Front 39

Amos Tversky

Back 39

n.a