AP Psychology Unit 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is hindsight bias?

An observational technique

A statistical index of relationship

A hypothesis that has been tested

The belief that one would have foreseen an outcome (correct)

What is a theory?

A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

What does operational definition refer to?

A statement of the procedures used to define research variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is a case study?

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a survey?

A study that provides information about how people think and act. Signup and view all the answers

Define population in the context of research.

The whole group that you want to study and describe. Signup and view all the answers

What is a random sample?

A sample that fairly represents a population. Signup and view all the answers

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations. Signup and view all the answers

What does correlation refer to?

A measure of the relationship between two variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is a correlation coefficient?

A statistical index of the relationship between two things. Signup and view all the answers

Define illusory correlation.

The perception of a relationship where none exists. Signup and view all the answers

What is an experiment?

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does random assignment mean?

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-blind study?

An experiment in which neither the participant nor the researcher knows the treatment conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Define the placebo effect.

Experimental results caused by expectations alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable?

A variable whose values are independent of changes in other variables. Signup and view all the answers

Define confounding variable.

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dependent variable?

The outcome factor that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable. Signup and view all the answers

Define mode.

Measure of central tendency that uses the most frequently occurring score. Signup and view all the answers

What is mean?

Average. Signup and view all the answers

Define median.

A measure of center in a set of numerical data. Signup and view all the answers

What is range?

Distance between highest and lowest scores in a set of data. Signup and view all the answers

What is standard deviation?

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score. Signup and view all the answers

Define normal curve.

The symmetrical bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many attributes. Signup and view all the answers

What is statistical significance?

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance. Signup and view all the answers

What is informed consent?

A written agreement to participate in a study after being informed of risks. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Concepts and Research Methods

Hindsight bias: The belief that one could have predicted an event after knowing the outcome, encapsulated by the phrase "I knew it all along."
Theory: A well-substantiated hypothesis supported by a significant amount of data.
Hypothesis: A testable prediction derived from a theory; it represents the first step in the experimental process.
Operational definition: Explicit procedures used to define research variables, ensuring clarity on how variables will be measured and manipulated.

Research Techniques

Case study: A detailed observational method focusing on a single individual to uncover universal principles or insights.
Survey: A research method that gathers information through interviews or questionnaires to understand how people think and behave.
Population: The complete group of individuals that a study intends to analyze or describe.
Random sample: A subset of the population selected randomly, ensuring each member has an equal chance of being included, promoting representativeness.
Naturalistic observation: Observing behavior in its natural context without interfering or altering the environment.

Correlation and Experimentation

Correlation: A statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Correlation coefficient: A numerical value ranging from -1 to +1 that quantifies the degree of correlation between two variables.
Illusory correlation: The false perception of a relationship between two variables where none actually exists.
Experiment: A research method wherein one or more independent variables are manipulated to observe their effect on a dependent variable.
Random assignment: The process of allocating participants to different experimental conditions by chance, helping to minimize preexisting differences.
Double-blind study: An experimental design in which both the participants and researchers are unaware of who receives the treatment or placebo, reducing bias.

Variables in Research

Placebo effect: Changes in participants' behavior or feelings induced solely by their expectations rather than the treatment itself.
Independent variable: The variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect.
Confounding variable: An external variable that could influence the results of an experiment, thus complicating the interpretation of the effects of the independent variable.
Dependent variable: The measured outcome in an experiment that is expected to change as a result of manipulations to the independent variable.

Statistical Measures

Mode: The most frequently occurring score in a dataset.
Mean: The average value of a dataset, calculated by summing all the values and dividing by their number.
Median: The middle value in a sorted list of numerical data, or the average of the two central values if the list has an even number of entries.
Range: The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset, providing a measure of variability.
Standard deviation: A calculated measure reflecting how much scores in a dataset deviate from the mean, indicating the spread of data points.
Normal curve: A symmetrical, bell-shaped distribution curve where most scores are near the average, with fewer scores at the extremes.
Statistical significance: Indicates the likelihood that a result occurred by chance, guiding the interpretation of data results.

Ethical Considerations

Informed consent: The process of informing participants about the study's risks and obtaining their agreement to partake.

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Explore key concepts from AP Psychology Unit 2 with these flashcards. Each card features a term along with its definition to help reinforce your understanding of essential psychological theories and principles. Perfect for exam preparation or quick revision.