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Psychology and Life
Chapter 2
35
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
01/25/2011

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Term
Theory
Definition
a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena
Term
Determinism
Definition
The idea that all events, physical, mental, and behavioral are the result of, or determined by, specific causal factors
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
A tentative and testable explanation of the relationship
two (or more) event or variables; often stated as a prediction that a certain outcome will result from specific conditions.
Term
Observer Bias
Definition
The distortion of evidence because of the personal motives and expectations of the viewer
Term
Standardization
Definition
A set of uniform procedures for treating each participant in a test, interview, or experiment, or for recording data
Term
Operational definition
Definition
A definition of a variable or condition in terms of the specific operation or procedures used to determine its presence
Term
Variable
Definition
In an experimental setting, a factor that varies in amount and kind
Term
Independent variable
Definition
In an experimenta setting , a variable that the researcher manipulates with the expectation of having an impact on values of the dependent variable
Term
Dependent variable
Definition
a variable that the researcher measures to assess the impact of a variation in an independent variable
Term
Experimental method
Definition
Research methodology that involves the manipulation of independent variables to determine their effects on the dependent variables
Term
Confounding variable
Definition
A stimulus other than the variable an experimenter explicitly introduces into a research setting that affects a participants behavior
Term
expectancy effect
Definition
result that occurs when a researcher or observer subtly communicates to participants the kind of behavior he or she expects to find,, thereby creating that expected reaction
Term
Placebo effect
Definition
A change in behavior in the absence of an experimental manipulation
Term
Control procedure
Definition
Consistent procedure for giving instructions, scoring responses, and holding all other variables constant except those being systematically varied
Term
Double blind control
Definition
an experimental technique in which biased expectations of experimenters are eliminated by keeping both participants and experimental assistants unaware of which participant have received which treatment.
Term
Placebo control
Definition
treatment is not administered, it is used in cases where a placebo effect might occur
Term
Between-subjects design
Definition
A research design in which different groups of participants are randomly assigned to experimental conditions or to control conditions
Term
Random assignment
Definition
A procedure by which participant have an equal likelihood of being assigned to any condition within an experiment
Term
Experimental group
Definition
A group in an experiment that is exposed to a treatment or experiences a manipulation of the independent variable
Term
Control group
Definition
A group in an experiment that is not exposed to a treatment or does not experience a manipulation of the independent variable
Term
Population
Definition
The entire set of individuals to which generalizations will be made based on a experimental model
Term
Sample
Definition
A subset of a pop. selected as participants in an experiment
Term
Representative sample
Definition
Subset of pop that closely matches the overall characteristics of the population with respect to the distribution of males and females, racial and ethnic groups etc.
Term
Random sampling
Definition
A procedure that ensures that every member of a population has an equal likelihood of participating in an experiment
Term
Within-subjects design
Definition
A research design that uses each participant as his or her own control; for example,, the behavior of an experimental participant before receiving treatment might be compared to his or her behavior after receiving treatment
Term
Correlational method
Definition
Reasearch methodolgy that determine to what extent two variables, traits, or attributes are related
Term
Correlation coefficient
Definition
A statistic that indicates the degree of relationship between 2 variables
Term
reliability
Definition
The degree to which a test produces similar scores each time it is used; stability or consistency of the scores produced by an instrument
Term
Validity
Definition
The extent to which a test measures what it was intended to measure
Term
self-report measure
Definition
A self-behavior that is identified through a participants own observations and reports
Term
Behavioral measure
Definition
Overt actions or reactions that is observed and recorded, exclusive of self reported behavior
Term
Naturalistic observation
Definition
A research technique in which unobtrusive observations are made of behaviors that occur in natural environments
Term
Case study
Definition
Intensive observation of a particular individual or small group of individuals
Term
Debriefing
Definition
A procedure conducted at the end of an experiment in which the researcher provides the participant with as much info about the study as possible and make sure tha no participant leaves feeling confused, upset, or embarrassed.
Term
Informed consent
Definition
The process through which individuals are informed about experimental procedures, risks, and benefits before they provide formal consent to become research participants
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