Experimental Psychology on Individual Differences

A scientific approach that manipulates variables to observe their effect on other variables while controlling for extraneous factors.

A scientific approach that examines the association between existing variables without manipulating them.

The ability to control and assign participants to different experimental conditions at random, ensuring equal chances of being in any group.

A true experimental variable allows researchers to freely manipulate its levels and assign participants to different conditions at will.

Variables that are inherent properties of individuals or stimuli, and cannot be randomly assigned, such as age, gender, or personality traits.

The process of establishing a standard set of procedures and criteria for administering and scoring a test, ensuring consistent results across different administrations.

The degree to which a test consistently measures what it is intended to measure.

The extent to which a test accurately measures the construct it is designed to assess.

A study design that measures the relationship between two existing variables, without manipulating them.

The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind for a short period of time.

The set of cognitive abilities required to plan, control, and execute tasks.

A statistical method used to assess the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables.

A research approach that focuses on studying existing differences between individuals, rather than manipulating variables.

The process of establishing standard procedures and norms for a test to ensure consistency and reliability.

Stimuli used in research that are not carefully selected or systematically organized.

A statistical test used to compare the means of two groups.

A statistical test used to compare the means of more than two groups.

A research design that manipulates variables to study their effect on a dependent variable.

A statistical concept describing the probability of obtaining a result if there is no real effect.

The ability to detect a real effect when it exists.

A psychological test designed to measure individual differences in cognitive abilities and personality traits.

A research design that involves manipulating a variable to assess its effect on another variable.

A research design that uses a combination of manipulated and naturally occurring variables.

The consistency of test scores over time. It measures how stable the trait being measured is.

The extent to which different items on a test measure the same underlying construct. It assesses the internal consistency of the test.

A measure of how well a test predicts future performance on a related task.

A measure of how well a test reflects the current state or characteristics of a person.

A measure of how well the items on a test match the content being measured.

A measure of how well a test reflects the theoretical construct it is intended to measure.

Statistical data that provide a reference point for interpreting test scores. They allow comparison of scores across different groups.

A statistical measure of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.