Correlational Studies in Psychology
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Questions and Answers

What do correlational studies primarily focus on examining?

  • Relationships between measured continuous variables (correct)
  • The influence of external factors on research outcomes
  • Causal relationships between variables
  • The effects of independent variables on dependent variables
  • Which component of correlation indicates whether two variables increase or decrease together?

  • Statistical significance
  • Direction (correct)
  • Variable independence
  • Strength
  • What is the main measure of strength in a correlation study?

  • Mean difference
  • Correlation coefficient (correct)
  • Regression analysis
  • Sample size
  • Which of the following statements is true regarding correlational studies?

    <p>They assess the direction and strength of relationships. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main characteristics that define correlations?

    <p>Strength and direction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of validity in measurement issues?

    <p>The accuracy of capturing the constructs of interest (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach can help mitigate subject effects in measurement?

    <p>Implementing filler items in questionnaires (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component of construct validity?

    <p>Consistency of participant responses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an unobtrusive measure?

    <p>Observations of behavior without participants knowing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the operational definition important in measurement validity?

    <p>It describes how constructs are measured and defined (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of correlational studies compared to observational studies?

    <p>They have a narrower focus on predetermined constructs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of correlational studies?

    <p>Lack of information on variable relationships. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do correlational studies maintain measurement consistency?

    <p>Through standardized procedures in variable measurement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage do correlational studies have over archival studies?

    <p>They offer better control over how and when variables are measured. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes correlational studies in terms of variable measurement control?

    <p>They maintain strict control of measurement variables. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of using a scatterplot in data analysis?

    <p>To visualize the relationship and identify outliers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What numerical measure is commonly used to represent the strength of a relationship in correlational studies?

    <p>Correlation coefficient (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'experimenter bias' in the context of measurement?

    <p>The influence of experimenters on the outcome of an experiment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following questions can be answered by analyzing a scatterplot?

    <p>Are the two variables related, and how strongly? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which strategy can help minimize 'experimenter reactivity' during data collection?

    <p>Incorporating automation or online surveys. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor can potentially distort the interpretation of data from a scatterplot?

    <p>Outliers present in the data (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about correlational studies is true?

    <p>They analyze the relationship between continuous variables. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can researchers ensure the reliability of their measurements?

    <p>By employing multiple items or measurements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean if a measurement is considered 'reliable'?

    <p>It produces consistent results over time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could be a consequence of leading questions in a questionnaire?

    <p>They may produce biased or inaccurate results. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are two factors necessary for skepticism towards epistemically suspect ideas?

    <p>Sufficient cognitive ability/analytic thinking and motivation to be epistemically rational (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes 'epistemically suspect' ideas?

    <p>Ideas that lack strong evidence and logical reasoning (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is an example of an epistemically suspect idea?

    <p>A conspiracy theory without credible evidence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does motivation play in evaluating epistemically suspect ideas?

    <p>It fosters a desire to form beliefs based on evidence and logic. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is high cognitive ability important in skepticism towards unfounded beliefs?

    <p>It helps individuals to analyze and question the validity of information. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered an independent variable in assessing belief in paranormal phenomena?

    <p>Cognitive ability (CA: numeracy, verbal ability) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Importance of Rationality Scale (IRS) in the context of belief assessment?

    <p>It is used to evaluate personal importance attached to epistemic rationality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best captures the relationship between cognitive ability and belief in conspiracy theories?

    <p>Higher cognitive ability may reduce belief in conspiracy theories. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following variables is NOT considered a predictor in the study of belief in paranormal phenomena?

    <p>Exposure to media depicting the paranormal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of scores are used to standardize cognitive ability measures?

    <p>Z-scores (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of differential studies in comparison to observations?

    <p>They have a predetermined focus on specific constructs to measure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do differential studies ensure consistent data collection?

    <p>Through standardized procedures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage do differential studies have over archival studies?

    <p>Increased ability to control confounding variables. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is controlled in differential studies but not in all observational studies?

    <p>The timing of data collection. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does having control over confounding variables allow differential studies to do?

    <p>Enhance the clarity of causal relationships. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes confounding variables?

    <p>Variables that co-vary with the independent variable and affect the dependent variable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When do researchers typically encounter issues with confounding variables?

    <p>When the confounding variable is not constant between groups (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios exemplifies the issue of confounding variables?

    <p>A study finds that exercise increases weight loss without controlling for diet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT a requirement for a variable to be considered confounding?

    <p>The variable must be independent of the dependent variable (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do confounding variables impact the results of an experiment?

    <p>They obscure the true relationship between the independent and dependent variables (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of variable is the independent variable (IV) in differential studies?

    <p>Categorical (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of differential studies?

    <p>To compare two or more groups on a certain variable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement represents a typical research question in differential studies?

    <p>Does group A differ from group B on variable Y? (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the dependent variable (DV) in differential studies?

    <p>Is often categorical but can be continuous (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In differential studies, which of the following types of data is the dependent variable (DV) mostly associated with?

    <p>Interval or ratio data (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Correlational studies

    Investigate relationships between measured variables.

    Measured variables

    Continuous variables used in correlational studies.

    Direction (+/-)

    Indicates the relationship's positive or negative trend.

    Strength of relationship

    Indicates how closely variables relate.

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    Continuous variables

    Variables that can take on any value within a range.

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    Correlational Research: Constraint?

    Correlational research has a higher level of constraint compared to observation and archival studies.

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    Correlational vs. Observational: Focus?

    Correlational studies have a narrower focus than observational studies, as they are designed to measure specific, predetermined variables.

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    Correlational vs. Archival: Measurement?

    Correlational studies offer more control over how variables are measured compared to archival studies.

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    Correlational vs. Archival: Timing?

    Correlational studies provide control over when variables are measured, while archival studies rely on existing data.

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    Standardized Procedures in Correlational Studies

    Correlational studies use standardized procedures to ensure all variables are measured consistently, regardless of who collects the data.

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    Experimenter bias

    When the way questions are asked influences the answers, leading to inaccurate results.

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    Experimenter reactivity

    When the experimenter's presence or actions inadvertently influence the participants' behavior.

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    Reliability of measurements

    The consistency and accuracy of our measurements; how much random error is present.

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    Multiple items/measurements

    Using several different questions or indicators to measure the same concept, increasing reliability.

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    Automation in research

    Using technology like online surveys to minimize experimenter influence and increase reliability.

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    Construct Validity

    The extent to which a measure accurately reflects the underlying concept it's intended to assess.

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    Operational Definition

    A clear and specific description of how a construct is measured in a study.

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    Demand Characteristics

    When participants guess the study's purpose and change their behavior accordingly.

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    Filler Items

    Unrelated questions added to a questionnaire to disguise the true purpose of the study.

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    Unobtrusive Measures

    Methods for collecting data without participants knowing they are being observed.

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    Scatterplot

    A graph that visually displays the relationship between two continuous variables, showing how they change together.

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    Outlier

    A data point that lies significantly far from other points in a scatterplot, potentially influencing the analysis.

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    Correlation coefficient

    A numerical measure that describes both the direction (positive or negative) and the strength of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.

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    Positive correlation

    When the relationship between two variables is such that as one increases, the other also tends to increase.

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    Negative correlation

    When the relationship between two variables is such that as one increases, the other tends to decrease.

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    Cognitive Ability (CA)

    A person's mental capabilities, including their ability to understand and use information, solve problems, and learn new things. Often measured using tests of numeracy and verbal ability.

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    Standardized Scores (Z-scores)

    Scores transformed to have a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. This allows for meaningful comparisons between different tests or groups.

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    Personal Importance of Epistemic Rationality

    How much a person values using logic, evidence, and reason to form their beliefs and make decisions.

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    Importance of Rationality Scale (IRS)

    A tool used to measure how much individuals value rational thinking and evidence in their beliefs and actions.

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    Belief in Paranormal Phenomena

    Acceptance of claims that go beyond known scientific laws, such as ghosts, telekinesis, or astrology.

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    Differential study

    A research design comparing two or more pre-existing groups on a specific variable, aiming to identify differences between them.

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    Independent variable (IV) in differential studies

    The categorical variable that defines the pre-existing groups being compared.

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    Dependent variable (DV) in differential studies

    The variable measured to see if there are differences between the groups.

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    Research question in differential studies

    A question asking if there is a significant difference between two or more groups on a specific variable.

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    Continuous variable in differential studies

    A variable that can take on any value within a range, often used as the dependent variable.

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    Differential Studies: Constraint?

    Differential studies have a higher level of constraint compared to observational and archival studies due to their predetermined focus, standardized procedures, and control over how and when variables are measured.

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    Confounding Variables: Control in Differential Studies?

    Differential studies aim to minimize or control confounding variables, factors that can influence the results besides the variables of interest.

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    Differential vs. Archival: Measurement?

    Differential studies provide more control over how variables are measured compared to archival studies, which rely on pre-existing data.

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    Differential vs. Observational: Timing?

    Differential studies allow researchers to control when variables are measured, while observational studies observe events as they naturally occur.

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    Standardized Procedures: Differential Studies

    Differential studies use standardized procedures to ensure that variables are measured consistently across participants, making the results more reliable.

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    Confounding Variable?

    A variable that changes along with the independent variable, potentially affecting the dependent variable, making it hard to determine the true cause-and-effect relationship.

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    Co-variation

    When two variables change together. A confounding variable co-varies with the independent variable.

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    Problem with Confounds

    Confounding variables make it difficult to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, potentially leading to inaccurate conclusions.

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    Example: Confounds in Study

    Imagine a study testing a new exercise program's effectiveness. If participants in the exercise group also eat healthier diets, we can't be sure if the improvement is due to exercise alone, or the combined effects of both.

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    Controlling Confounds

    Researchers try to control confounding variables by keeping them constant across groups or using statistical methods to account for their influence.

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    Epistemically suspect ideas

    Beliefs that are not based on logic or evidence, often involving conspiracy theories or paranormal phenomena.

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    Cognitive ability for skepticism

    The mental skills needed to critically analyze information and identify flawed reasoning.

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    Motivation for epistemic rationality

    The personal drive to base beliefs on evidence and logic, rather than intuition or emotion.

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    Why do people believe?

    People may believe in epistemically suspect ideas due to a lack of critical thinking skills or a lack of motivation to be epistemically rational.

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    Epistemic rationality

    The process of forming beliefs based on logic and evidence, rather than unsupported assumptions.

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