Research concepts
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects.
What is an independent variable?
A method that involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another, often conducted in controlled settings.
What is an experiment?
if researchers use ________ it must be justified and explained afterwards
What is deception?
A researcher argues that a student’s fear of dogs comes from unconscious childhood conflicts with authority. Which psychological perspective best explains this focus on the subconscious and childhood experiences?
Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Approach
A survey shows that children who have encyclopedias in their home environment earn better grades in school than children whose homes lack encyclopedias. The researcher concludes that having encyclopedias in the home environment improves grades. Which of the following explains why the researcher has reached an erroneous conclusion?
Correlation does NOT equal causation!
In an experiment, this group does not receive the treatment being tested and is used for comparison with the experimental group. This group would receive the placebo in an experiment.
What is a control group?
Psychologists use this method to carefully study one person in depth, especially when the case is unusual. It provides rich detail unlike a survey, but the weakness is that the findings often don’t generalize to the whole population.
What is a case study?
Researchers must design studies in a way that avoids causing physical or psychological harm to participants.
What is the principle of doing no unnecessary harm?
A company pays employees bonuses when they hit sales targets. This example reflects which perspective, focused on observable learning through rewards and punishments? They focus on how our personality and behavior is shaped by our environment.
Behavioral Perspective
Your friend swears their horoscope is always right. When it matches their day, they brag about it, but when it’s wrong, they shrug it off and forget it. This tendency to notice or interpret information in a way that supports your pre-existing belief is called this.
What is Confirmation Bias
A procedure where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the treatment or placebo.
What is a double-blind procedure?
This research method can be cheap and quick, but people may lie or give socially desirable answers.
A weakness of this method is that wording effects or leading questions can change the results.
What is a survey
This ethical principle requires that researchers protect the privacy of participants by not revealing their personal information.
What is confidentiality?
A psychologist studying identical twins separated at birth emphasizes the role of inherited traits in intelligence. Which approach is being used?
This approach focuses on the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate.
Biological Perspective
This error occurs when there are discrepancies between the study sample and the intended population, rendering the findings less generalizable.
Sampling bias or unrepresentative sample
The process of assigning participants to experimental/control groups in order to reduce bias.
What is random assignment?
An example of this method would be a research project that looks at how hours spent studying relate to exam scores among high school students to see if more study time is linked to better grades. They do not isolate variables or randomly assign participants.
What is a correlational study?
This guideline states that researchers must ensure that participants are fully aware of the nature, risks, and benefits of a study before agreeing to participate.
What is informed consent?
A therapist helps a client reframe negative thought patterns like “I always fail” into more realistic, balanced self-talk. Which perspective is at play?
This perspective focuses on the way that we think and problem solve.
What is the cognitive perspective?
Before a psychology study can be published, experts in the field examine the methods, data, and conclusions to check for errors, bias, or unsupported claims. This process ensures the research is credible and meets scientific standards. What is this process called?
What is Peer Review?
A specific and measurable definition of a variable used in a study, like "class participation" defined as "number of hand raises.
What is an operational definition?
A psychologist sits in a cafeteria, noting how often students pick up their phones. This is an example of which method?
Naturalistic observation
This guideline states that after a study concludes, researchers must provide participants with a thorough explanation of the study's purpose and any deception used.
What is debriefing?
A researcher travels to several countries to study how cultural values influence conformity, family roles, and perception. Which perspective emphasizes the importance of social context in shaping behavior and thought?
What is the sociocultural perspective?
A study claims a new energy drink improves memory, but the researchers only share the results from their 5 best-performing participants out of 15. This shows two major flaws. What are they? (must ID both!)
Small sample size- 15 students is nowhere near large enough to generalize the data. 5 is even worse!
Selective reporting of data- Only reported the 5 best performers, ignoring others.