All Flashcards
What is the effect of random assignment in an experiment?
It minimizes pre-existing differences between groups, increasing the likelihood that the independent variable is causing changes in the dependent variable.
What is the effect of experimenter bias on research results?
It can skew the results in the direction of the researcher's expectations, leading to inaccurate conclusions.
What is the effect of the Hawthorne effect on study outcomes?
Participants may alter their behavior simply because they know they are being observed, which can confound the results.
What is the effect of confounding variables on the dependent variable?
They can obscure or exaggerate the true relationship between the independent and dependent variables, leading to incorrect conclusions.
What is the effect of a sampling bias on research validity?
It reduces the generalizability of the findings, as the sample is not representative of the population.
What are the effects of violating ethical guidelines in research?
It can cause harm to participants, damage the reputation of the researcher and institution, and undermine the credibility of psychological science.
What is the effect of informed consent on participant autonomy?
It ensures that participants have the right to make an informed decision about whether to participate in the study, respecting their autonomy.
What is the effect of debriefing on participant well-being?
It helps to alleviate any distress or confusion caused by the study, ensuring that participants leave the study in a positive state.
What is the effect of using operational definitions in research?
It ensures that variables are measured precisely, allowing for replication and comparison of results.
What is the effect of a skewed distribution on the mean and median?
The mean is pulled in the direction of the skew, while the median remains relatively unaffected, providing a more accurate measure of central tendency.
What is the effect of high internal validity in an experiment?
It ensures that the experiment measures what it intends to, increasing confidence in the causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
What is the effect of low external validity in an experiment?
It limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations, settings, or conditions.
How is applied research used in therapy?
To investigate the effectiveness of new therapy techniques for disorders like depression.
How can understanding sampling bias help researchers?
It helps them create more representative samples to improve the generalizability of their findings.
How is the concept of operational definition applied in research?
It ensures that variables are measured precisely, allowing for replication and comparison of results.
How is random assignment applied in experiments?
It ensures that participant characteristics are evenly distributed across groups, reducing the likelihood of pre-existing differences affecting the results.
How is debriefing applied in psychological research?
Explaining the study after participation ensures participants understand the purpose and any deception used, addressing ethical concerns.
How is the Hawthorne effect relevant in workplace studies?
It suggests that employees may increase productivity simply because they know they are being observed, not necessarily due to changes in working conditions.
How can understanding hindsight bias help in decision-making?
By recognizing the tendency to believe we knew the outcome all along, we can avoid overconfidence and learn from past experiences more effectively.
How is correlation used in predicting behavior?
By identifying relationships between variables, we can make predictions about future behavior, though we must be cautious about assuming causation.
How is informed consent applied in research with children?
Researchers must obtain consent from the parents or legal guardians of the children, ensuring they understand the study and its potential risks and benefits.
How can understanding experimenter bias improve research?
By using techniques like double-blind studies, researchers can minimize the influence of their expectations on the results, leading to more objective findings.
How is descriptive statistics used in summarizing research data?
Measures like mean, median, and mode are used to provide a concise summary of the data, making it easier to understand and interpret.
How is inferential statistics used in drawing conclusions from research?
Techniques like t-tests and ANOVA are used to determine whether the results are statistically significant, allowing researchers to draw conclusions about a population.
What is Monism?
The belief that the mind and body are one.
What is Dualism?
The belief that the mind is separate from the body.
What is the evolutionary approach in psychology?
Focuses on how natural selection promotes the survival of genes.
Explain Gestalt psychology.
Emphasizes the whole rather than the sum of its parts.
What is a Correlational Study?
Examining relationships between variables without manipulating them.
What is Sampling Bias?
An unrepresentative sample used in research.
What is Experimenter Bias?
Researcher's expectations affect results.
What is Hindsight Bias?
The 'I knew it all along' phenomenon.
What is Internal Validity?
How well the experiment measures what it intends to.
What is Descriptive Statistics?
Summarizing data using measures like mean, median, and mode.
What is Inferential Statistics?
Making inferences from data to draw conclusions about a population.
What is Informed Consent?
Participants must agree to participate after being fully informed about the study.