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Questions and Answers
Which modern approach to psychology emphasizes unconscious drives and conflicts as influences on behavior?
What does the cognitive approach to psychology primarily study?
Which approach focuses specifically on how behavior and thinking can vary across different cultural contexts?
The biological perspective in psychology is primarily concerned with which of the following?
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Which modern approach to psychology highlights the importance of personal growth and fulfillment?
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What is the arithmetic average of scores in a distribution called?
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Which measure indicates the middle score in a distribution?
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Which statistical term refers to the difference between the highest and lowest scores?
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What does a positive skew indicate in a data distribution?
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What term describes the likelihood that a result occurred by chance?
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What does a standard deviation measure in a distribution?
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In a modal distribution, what characteristic do the data exhibit?
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What is inferred when there is a larger effect size present in two variables?
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What does hindsight bias refer to in psychological research?
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Which step follows after forming a hypothesis in the scientific method?
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What is the main characteristic of confirmation bias?
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In what scenario might overconfidence manifest during a research study?
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How does perceiving order in random events affect psychological interpretation?
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What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
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Why is informed consent important in research involving human subjects?
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What does voluntary participation signify in a research context?
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What considerations must be taken into account when using deception in research?
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What two main questions guide ethical considerations in animal research?
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What is a key feature of a lab experiment?
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Which description best characterizes a field experiment?
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What distinguishes a quasi experiment from a true experiment?
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In a lab experiment, which of the following is essential for ensuring validity?
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Which statement about control in experiments is accurate?
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What type of data is collected using quantitative measures?
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Which is an example of qualitative measures?
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What is a case study primarily aimed at revealing?
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Which observation technique involves the researcher not manipulating or controlling the situation?
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What does the term 'social desirability bias' refer to?
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of structured interviews?
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What is the 'wording effect' or 'framing effect' primarily concerned with?
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What is NOT considered a research method?
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Which of the following best describes the goal of meta-analysis?
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What type of bias occurs when individuals report experiences deemed socially accepted?
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Which method focuses primarily on describing behavior without interference?
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What is one common disadvantage of Likert scales?
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What is a key characteristic of qualitative research data?
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In surveys, what does self-report data often reflect?
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What does a positive correlation indicate about two variables?
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What does the correlation coefficient range from?
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What is the third variable problem in correlation studies?
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Which of the following is an example of an illusory correlation?
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Why can't correlation prove causation?
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What does the null hypothesis assume in an experiment?
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Which best describes an operational definition?
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What is the purpose of replication in research studies?
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What does a random sample ensure in an experiment?
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What is the risk of using convenience samples in research?
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What does sampling bias refer to in the context of research?
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What defines a hypothesis in scientific research?
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Which statement best describes falsifiability?
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What is meant by random assignment in experiment design?
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What is the population in a research study?
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What does generalizability refer to in research outcomes?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of sampling bias?
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How can the process of replication reinforce research conclusions?
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What does it mean when a hypothesis is said to be testable?
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What defines a control group in an experiment?
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Which procedure ensures that both the experimenters and participants are unaware of who receives the treatment or placebo?
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What does the independent variable represent in an experiment?
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Which of the following best describes the placebo effect?
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What is the purpose of control variables in an experiment?
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Which term describes barriers that can impact the outcome of an experiment aside from the independent variable?
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What is an example of a situation that could generate experimenter bias?
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What is the dependent variable in the example of testing a new vitamin's effect on memory?
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Study Notes
Modern Approaches to Psychology
- Psychodynamic: Examines behavior stemming from unconscious drives and conflicts.
- Sociocultural: Investigates how behavior and thought processes can differ across cultures and various situations.
- Cognitive: Analyzes the encoding, processing, storage, and retrieval of information.
- Behavioral: Focuses on learned observable responses to stimuli.
- Humanistic: Emphasizes personal growth and self-fulfillment, aiming for acceptance and love.
- Biological: Explores how biological processes and brain functions influence behaviors.
- Evolutionary: Considers how natural selection affects behavior.
Experimenter Bias Concepts
- Hindsight Bias: The inclination to believe one would have predicted an outcome after knowing it.
- Overconfidence: Overestimating one’s success potential in tasks.
- Perceiving Order in Random Events: Cognitive bias towards seeing patterns in random data.
- Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for and favor information that confirms existing beliefs.
Scientific Method Flowchart
- Make an observation and pose a question.
- Formulate a hypothesis to answer the question.
- Make predictions based on that hypothesis.
- Conduct an experiment to test predictions.
- Analyze results, reporting findings if the hypothesis is correct; if incorrect, revise hypothesis and retest.
Key Research Terms
- Null Hypothesis: Assumes no significant effect or relationship.
- Falsifiability: The capability of a theory to be disproved via empirical evidence.
- Operational Definition: Specifics of how variables in a study will be measured or manipulated.
- Replication: Repeating a study in different contexts to validate results.
- Population: A comprehensive group from which a study sample is drawn.
- Sample: Individuals selected from the population for participation.
- Random Sample: Ensures every population member has an equal selection chance.
- Convenience Samples: Participants selected based on availability.
- Sampling Bias: Non-random selection that misrepresents the population.
- Random Assignment: Allocation of samples into experimental or control groups randomly.
- Generalizability: The applicability of findings beyond the studied sample.
Statistical Reasoning
- Descriptive Statistics: Used to summarize and describe group characteristics; includes measures like mean, median, and mode.
- Mean: Average score calculated by dividing the sum of scores by their count.
- Median: The middle value dividing higher and lower scores equally.
- Mode: The most frequently occurring score in a dataset.
- Regression Towards the Mean: High or low extreme scores tend to revert to average upon retesting.
- Range: Difference between highest and lowest scores.
- Standard Deviation: Measure of score variability from the mean.
- Statistical Significance: Likelihood that results are due to an effect rather than chance; typically, a threshold of 5% is used.
Correlational Studies
- Correlation: Quantifies the relationship between two variables, indicating predictive capabilities.
- Positive Correlation: Both variables increase together.
- Negative Correlation: One variable increases while the other decreases.
- Third Variable Problem: A separate variable that affects the relationship between two variables.
- Correlation Coefficient: Ranges from -1.0 to +1.0, indicating the strength and direction of a relationship.
- Illusory Correlation: Misinterpretation of a nonexistent relationship.
Descriptive Research Methods
- Quantitative Measures: Collecting and analyzing numerical data, often using scales (e.g., Likert scale).
- Qualitative Measures: Descriptive data collection focused on traits and characteristics, such as through structured interviews.
- Case Study: In-depth study of an individual or group, revealing broader principles but may lead to subjective conclusions.
- Covert Participant Observation: Observing naturally occurring behavior without manipulation.
- Surveys: Not a research method itself; collects self-reported data from participants, often subject to social desirability bias.### Social Desirability Bias
- Responses can be influenced by a desire to present oneself favorably, leading to misleading data.
- Common in surveys, where individuals report socially accepted experiences instead of their true feelings.
Wording Effect (Framing Effect)
- The phrasing of questions can significantly affect the answers given.
- Example: "Censorship" can elicit a different emotional response compared to "not allowed."
- Biased answers arise from the choice of words.
Self-report Bias
- Individuals often report experiences based on perceived social norms or expectations.
- Can distort research findings as people tend to provide responses they believe are desirable.
Meta-Analysis
- A comprehensive technique that combines findings from multiple studies on a similar topic.
- Useful in fields like mental health to assess the overall impact on educational achievement.
Ethics in Research
- Institutional Review Board (IRB): Established to oversee research involving human subjects and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
- Informed Consent/Assent: Participants must receive complete information about the study and the right to withdraw at any time.
- Voluntary Participation: Participants must willingly choose to engage in research, with alternatives provided when participation is mandated for a class.
- Anonymity/Confidentiality: Researchers must safeguard participants' identities and any identifying information in their reports.
- Deception (Use of Confederates): Deception in studies is permissible only if necessary, and researchers must justify its use.
- Debriefing: Researchers should clarify the study's purpose and procedures to participants after it concludes.
- Animal Research: Questions focus on societal benefits and minimizing done to animals involved in research.
Types of Experiments
- Lab Experiment: Controlled environment with clear manipulation of independent and dependent variables, featuring control and experimental groups.
- Field Experiment: Conducted in real-world settings with manipulated variables, though extraneous variables can influence the outcome due to the natural environment.
- Quasi Experiment: Similar to true experiments but lacks random assignment; pre-existing conditions dictate group allocation.
Experimental Concepts
- Experiment (Cause & Effect): Investigates the relationship between manipulated variables and observed effects on behavior.
- Experimental vs. Control Group: The experimental group receives treatment, while the control group does not.
- Single-Blind Procedure: Participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or placebo.
- Double-Blind Procedure: Both participants and researchers are unaware of who gets the treatment versus a placebo to minimize bias.
- Experimenter Bias: Researchers’ expectations can inadvertently affect study outcomes.
- Placebo and Placebo Effect: Changes in health or behavior may occur due to participants' expectations rather than the treatment itself.
- Independent Variable: The variable that is altered or manipulated in an experiment.
- Dependent Variable: The outcome that is measured, which may change in response to the independent variable.
- Confounding Variable: Other factors that can affect the outcome, complicating the study's findings; these can’t be changed by the researcher.
- Control Variables: Factors kept constant to prevent them from influencing the results of the experiment.
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Description
Explore the seven modern approaches to psychology that shape our understanding of human behavior. Each approach offers a unique perspective on the factors influencing thoughts, actions, and emotions. Delve into psychodynamic, sociocultural, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic perspectives.