AP Psych Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an operational definition?

A specific term defining how a variable will be measured or manipulated (correct)

A structured set of questions about experiences or beliefs

A method to observe behaviors in natural settings

An in-depth investigation of an individual or group

What is the primary goal of naturalistic observation?

To detect natural behavior patterns

Which of the following is a pro of case studies?

Requires less interview time

Provides rich descriptive information (correct)

Offers high correlations with large samples

Allows for easy cause and effect relationships

Surveys are expensive and time-consuming.

False Signup and view all the answers

A representative sample matches the larger group on relevant characteristics such as ______.

age, sex, race, marital status, and educational level Signup and view all the answers

What does random selection ensure?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operational Definition

Defines variables in specific terms for measurement and manipulation in research.
Essential for understanding how psychological concepts like memory, happiness, or stress are quantified.
Example: In a study on premarital education, variables are operationally defined to assess the impact on marital quality through specific questions.

Naturalistic Observation

A descriptive research method where behaviors are observed in natural settings without detection.
Aims to identify inherent behavior patterns that may not surface in artificial environments.
Example: Observing male and female behavior during fights, grounding research in real-world scenarios.
Pros: Ethical for studying unmanipulatable behaviors; results can be generalized to real life.
Cons: Observer presence may influence behavior; weak cause-and-effect conclusions; less control over observed behavior.

Case Study

An in-depth investigation focused on an individual or small social unit, compiling extensive information from multiple sources.
Example: Examining language acquisition and its dependency on early exposure to language.
Pros: Provides rich and descriptive information; allows for deep control over the subject matter; effective for studying rare phenomena.
Cons: Limited correlation data due to small sample size; potential biases from researcher's subjective interpretation.

Survey

Structured method where individuals respond to a set of questions regarding their experiences, beliefs, or attitudes.
Example: Conducting a survey to compare male and female fantasies about wealth.
Pros: Capable of collecting data from a larger population; cost-effective and quick method for data collection.
Cons: Risk of dishonesty in responses; potential for low response rates.

Representative Sample

A sample that closely reflects the characteristics of the larger population, ensuring diversity in age, sex, race, marital status, and education.
Example: For a population where 15% are of Hispanic descent, a representative sample of 100 participants should include about 15 Hispanic individuals.

Random Selection

Process ensuring that every member of a population has an equal chance of being chosen for a study, enhancing the study's validity.

Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts from Chapter 1 of AP Psychology with these flashcards. Focus on understanding operational definitions and their significance in psychological research. Perfect for quick review and exam preparation.