Vocabulary
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Hypothesis
What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis
A theory is the fist step- coming up with an idea. The hypothesis comes second and is a testable prediction.
What are two types of surveys?
Questionnaires and interviews
What is a case study and why are they useful?
Case studies are intensive studies of people that are used to help others in unique situations.
What is the placebo effect?
The group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.
Target population
What is the difference between naturalistic and laboratory observation?
Naturalistic- done out in the field (natural environment)
Laboratory- done in a controlled environment
What is a target population?
A target population is the whole group you want to study or describe.
Why would a researcher choose to do laboratory observation instead of naturalistic observation?
Laboratory observation is the preferred choice when the researcher needs a controlled environment so desired results can be attained.
When would it be appropriate to deceive participants in an experiment?
Deception is necessary when a placebo is used. The control group cannot be told they have the placebo because it would ruin the validity of the study.
An experiment in which neither the experimenter nor the participants know which participants received which treatment.
Double-blind study
How is a hypothesis written?
as an "if-then" statement
Why should samples be randomly selected?
By randomly selecting participants for an experiment/study, each member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.
Why would a psychologist use the cross-sectional method instead of the longitudinal method?
With the cross-sectional method researchers select a sample that includes people of different ages instead of following a set of individuals over a number of years.
If the temperature in the room increases then people will become agitated.
What is the IV and DV variable?
IV- the change in temperature
DV- the person's mood
The concept that people who volunteer to participate in research studies often differ from those who do not volunteer
Volunteer bias
Why must an experiment be replicated?
How does bias negatively affect study results?
Give an example of a negative and positive correlation.
positive: the more you study the better grades you'll make
negative: the less sleep you get the more tired you will be
Why is a double-blind study more reliable than a single-blind study?
When neither the participants nor the researchers know who has the treatment bias is avoided
A random sample in which members of the population are first divided into strata, then are randomly selected to be a part of the sample.
Stratified sample
What happens if a hypothesis isn't proven correct?
The researcher will need to accept that they were wrong and be willing to revise the hypothesis and start over.
What does it mean when a sample is "stratified"?
Explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality when conducting research?
The psychologist/researcher is legally forbidden to share someone’s personal information or test results.
Why would researchers perform an experiment on an animal instead of a human? Give an example.
Psychologists use animals only when there is no alternative and when they believe that the potential benefits outweigh the harm.
Lobotomies- removing parts of the brain to test a hypothesis.