Convergence of Evidence & Meta-Analysis
44 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does the gradual synthesis model suggest about scientific advances?

  • Advancements are usually derived from individual discoveries.
  • Scientific progress is solely dependent on funding.
  • Progress is often a result of consensus among scientists. (correct)
  • They occur suddenly and without setbacks.

What is a key limitation of case studies in research?

  • They focus on a single individual or group, making them non-representative. (correct)
  • They always provide conclusive evidence for theories.
  • They include large representative samples.
  • They require extensive funding to conduct.

Which of the following statements about correlational studies is true?

  • They establish direct cause-and-effect relationships.
  • They require manipulation of independent variables.
  • They can determine the direction of causality with certainty.
  • They imply relationships but do not confirm causation. (correct)

What is a critical element when evaluating and synthesizing information in decision-making?

<p>Understanding the source and meaning of the information (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature that distinguishes experiments from other research methods?

<p>They involve manipulation of the independent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of converging evidence imply about theory support?

<p>Theories gain support through consistent findings across various study types. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the law of large numbers illustrate?

<p>In larger samples, results are more likely to reflect real probabilities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between clinical and statistical approaches to decision-making?

<p>Both approaches can be used in conjunction for better decision-making (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the concept of 'multiple causation' in the context of decision-making?

<p>Combined effects of several variables influencing another variable (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of statistical models is highlighted as a limitation?

<p>They may not account for unexpected decisions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by converging evidence in research?

<p>Evidence from multiple studies pointing in a similar direction. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to preference as the delay interval shortens?

<p>Preference shifts to smaller immediate outcomes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is considered the most powerful in the research hierarchy?

<p>Experiments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes meta-analysis?

<p>A statistical technique to combine results from multiple studies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'magic bullet' refer to in psychological phenomena?

<p>The single, all-purpose cause of a phenomenon (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issues arise when measuring multiple independent variables (IVs)?

<p>It increases the complexity of the dependent variable (DV) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the file-drawer problem refer to in meta-analysis?

<p>The tendency to publish only studies with significant results. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which measure of effect size is most commonly used?

<p>Cohen's d. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are interaction effects in psychological research defined?

<p>The effect of one variable on another depends on a third variable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the clinical approach to decision making?

<p>It is informal and intuitive (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a reason why meta-analyses are considered superior to primary studies?

<p>They primarily focus on new findings for publication. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a small effect size in Cohen's d indicate?

<p>Weak relationship or minimal impact. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using statistical approaches in decision making?

<p>They cannot reflect individual uniqueness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern with over-reliance on a single research method in psychology?

<p>It may limit the understanding of the phenomenon being studied. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes multiple causation in psychology?

<p>Several variables can collectively contribute to an outcome (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates the concept of interactions in variables?

<p>The effect of one variable changes based on another variable's level (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do statistical models differ from human decision-making in terms of bias?

<p>Humans use heuristics which can lead to cognitive biases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using statistical models in decision making?

<p>They effectively combine information measured in different ways. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'judgmental bootstrapping' in the context of statistical models?

<p>Incorporating expert judgment into a statistical model. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do statistical models process redundant information differently than human judges?

<p>Human judges weigh redundant information more heavily. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What scenario exemplifies the limitations of statistical models?

<p>Predicting behavior based on day of the week without context. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason for adhering to clinical judgment over statistical models?

<p>Belief in the effectiveness of one's own judgment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What allows statistical models to maintain consistency in their decisions?

<p>They generate identical decisions when given the same data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does transparency in statistical models imply regarding their decision-making process?

<p>Users can see and understand how decisions are made. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the gambler's fallacy suggest about probability after a long series of misses?

<p>The probability of success increases. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the hot hand fallacy imply about past successes?

<p>Winning streaks influence future winning probabilities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the expected utility hypothesis, what should rational individuals prioritize?

<p>Maximizing expected utility based on probability and outcome value. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Framing effects demonstrate that people's risk preferences can change based on how a choice is presented. Which framing typically leads to risk aversion?

<p>The pursuit of avoiding a loss. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the law of large numbers state about the results of repeated experiments?

<p>A larger sample size provides a better approximation of the expected population value. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'losses loom larger than gains'?

<p>Individuals experience greater dissatisfaction from a loss than they gain satisfaction from an equivalent win. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does delay discounting affect preferences for outcomes?

<p>Immediate outcomes are favored over delayed ones. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct formula for calculating expected utility?

<p>EU = P x U (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does preference reversal refer to in decision-making?

<p>Changing preferences based on the delays associated with outcomes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the concept of framing when making decisions?

<p>How a choice is perceived based on situational context. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Gradual Synthesis

Scientific progress happens slowly as scientists agree on explanations supported by evidence. It involves a gradual build-up of evidence over time.

Limitations in Case Studies

Focus on a single individual or group, making it difficult to generalize findings to a larger population.

Correlational Studies

Show a relationship between variables but don't prove cause and effect. Might have directionality or third variable issues.

Quasi-Experiments

Similar to correlational studies, but with some experimental features. Can show group differences but don't manipulate variables directly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Converging Evidence

Multiple studies, even with flaws, support the same conclusion.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies on the same topic to estimate an overall effect size.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Effect size

A measure of the magnitude of the effect of a treatment or difference between groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cohen's d

A common measure of effect size, representing the difference between two group means in standard deviation units.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Small effect size

An effect size of 0.2, indicating a small difference between groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moderate effect size

An effect size of 0.5, indicating a moderate difference between groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Large effect size

An effect size of 0.8, indicating a large difference between groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

File-drawer problem

The bias in published research where studies with statistically significant findings are more likely to be published than those with non-significant findings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dehumanizing feel of statistical models

Statistical models sometimes lack the nuanced understanding of individual circumstances, leading to a sense of cold, impersonal decision-making.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clinical vs. Statistical Decision-Making

Clinical decisions rely on experience and intuition while statistical decisions rely on data analysis. Both approaches are valuable but should be used together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gradual Synthesis Model

Scientific progress is not linear. It involves gradual advancements, setbacks, and the accumulation of evidence over time.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Multiple Causation and Interaction

The effects of multiple variables can combine and influence one another, making it difficult to isolate the impact of a single variable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Law of Large Numbers

As the number of trials or observations increases, the results are more likely to reflect the true probabilities and trends.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Smaller Immediate Outcome

People tend to prefer smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards when the delay is short.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Multiple Causation

Psychological phenomena are often influenced by many factors working together, not just one single cause.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Interaction Effect

The combined effect of two or more variables on an outcome, where the influence of one variable depends on the level of another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Categorical IV

An independent variable with distinct categories or groups.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Continuous IV

An independent variable that can take on any value within a range.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clinical Decision Making

Using subjective judgment and intuition to make decisions, potentially based on experience but not necessarily following a set protocol.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Statistical Decision Making

Making decisions based on mathematical models and quantitative data analysis, following a systematic approach.

Signup and view all the flashcards

“Statistics Don't Apply to the Individual” Argument

The idea that statistics, being based on averages, cannot be directly applied to individual cases because people are unique.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cognitive Biases

Systematic errors in thinking that can lead to inaccurate judgments. These biases often influence human decision-making.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Statistical Models vs. Humans

Statistical models are less prone to cognitive biases and offer more transparency compared to human decision-makers.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Combining Information

Humans struggle to combine information accurately, especially when measurements differ. Statistical models can integrate data more effectively.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Agreement in Decision-Making

Consistency in decisions across multiple experts or repeated evaluations. Statistical models achieve identical decisions consistently, while human judgment can vary.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Judgemental Bootstrapping

Creating a statistical model by learning patterns from expert judgments. This helps capture the expertise embedded in human decisions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Redundant vs. Unique Information

Humans tend to overemphasize redundant information while statistical models give more weight to unique data points.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The 'Broken Leg' Case

A scenario where a human expert can make a more accurate prediction than a statistical model due to unique, context-specific knowledge.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Why We Stick to Clinical Approaches

Despite limitations, humans may prefer clinical judgment due to factors like lack of understanding biases, fear of being replaced, and belief in their own expertise.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gambler's Fallacy

The belief that after a series of unsuccessful events, the probability of success increases. For example, thinking that a coin is 'due' to land on heads after a series of tails.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hot Hand Fallacy

The belief that a person's success in a particular skill is more likely to continue after recent successes (like in basketball).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expected Utility (EU)

A framework for decision-making that considers the value (utility) of each outcome and the probability of achieving it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Framing

The way in which a choice is presented (as a gain or a loss) influences decision-making, even if the underlying outcome is the same.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Risk Averse

People tend to favor a guaranteed gain over a risky chance to gain a larger amount, even if the potential outcome is the same.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Risk Taking

People tend to favor a risky chance to avoid a loss over a guaranteed smaller loss, even if the potential outcome is the same.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Losses Loom Larger

The negative emotional impact of a loss is generally greater than the positive impact of an equal gain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Delay Discounting

The value of a future reward decreases as the delay before receiving it increases. We tend to prefer things now over later.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Preference Reversal

Sometimes people prefer a smaller, more immediate reward over a larger, delayed reward, but switch their preference when the delay is longer.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Convergence of Evidence & Meta-Analysis

  • Past theories and evidence converge to form current theory and evidence, leading to predictions.
  • Scientific progress is often gradual, not a series of breakthroughs.
  • Media often misrepresents research as "breakthroughs", oversimplifying complex findings.
  • Scientific advancements build on previous knowledge in a cumulative, interconnected way. New theories should explain both old findings and new evidence.

Pseudoscience vs. Science

  • Pseudoscience often discards previously established facts when presented with a new “breakthrough."
  • Pseudoscience emphasizes novelty and radical departures over gradual syntheses of evidence.
  • True scientific progress is a gradual process of accumulating evidence, where knowledge builds upon itself.
  • Scientific advancements don't ignore prior data.

Limitations of Research

  • Case studies and correlational studies aren't representative samples, and can only imply a connection between variables. They cannot determine cause and effect.

Converging Evidence

  • Converging evidence from various studies supports a theory or explanation over competing ones.
  • Two key factors are needed for evidence to converge: results from diverse methods that point to the same conclusion; and results that eliminate competing explanations.

Issues in Research Methodology

  • Quasi-experiments and experiments vary in their ability to determine cause and effect.
  • A quasi-experiment cannot assign participants randomly.
  • Issues of directionality and third variables affect results as some variables could affect others, and the influence cannot be determined.

Converging Evidence and Meta-Analysis Methods

  • Meta-analysis combines findings from multiple studies of the same topic to determine overall patterns, providing more reliable results than single studies.

Effect Size

  • Effect sizes are important measures of the magnitude of an effect in research, represented numerically.
  • Cohen's d is a common measure, with small (0.2), medium (0.5), and large (0.8) effect sizes.

Heuristics and Biases

  • Availability heuristic: Judging probabilities based on how easily related instances come to mind.
  • Representativeness heuristic: Judging probabilities based on how well something represents a prototype.
  • Base rates: The relative proportion of different groups in a population.
  • Conjunction fallacy: Incorrectly believing that the probability of a conjunction of events is greater than the probability of either event alone.
  • Gambler's fallacy: Incorrectly believing that past events affect future probabilities in random events.

Decision-Making

  • Expected Utility Theory: The optimal decision is the one that maximizes expected utility (probability times the value of the outcome).
  • Framing: The way options are presented affects how people choose.
  • Time effects: Decisions are affected by how delayed an outcome is compared to the current choice.

Multiple Causation

  • Complex phenomena rarely have a single cause; instead, multiple factors interact to create effects.
  • Interactions between variables: The effect of one variable can depend on the level of another; and the effects of multiple variables work together
  • Statistical models are often more effective than relying wholly on human judgment.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Convergence Evidence & Meta-Analysis Psychology 210-2 PDF

Description

Explore the concepts of evidence convergence, the differences between pseudoscience and science, and the limitations of research methodologies. This quiz will help you understand how scientific knowledge builds upon itself and the importance of cumulative evidence in theory formation.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser