Psychology 101 - Experiment Terms Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is hindsight bias?

A phenomenon where one forgets previous outcomes

The tendency to believe after learning an outcome that one would have predicted it (correct)

The ability to predict future events

The tendency to learn from past experiences

Define culture.

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people.

What is critical thinking?

Thinking that examines assumptions and evaluates evidence.

What is informed consent?

An ethical principle that allows research participants to make an informed choice about participation. Signup and view all the answers

What is debriefing?

The post-experimental explanation of a study to its participants. Signup and view all the answers

Define theory.

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction often implied by theory. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operational definition?

A statement that defines research variables by procedures used. Signup and view all the answers

Define replication in research.

Repeating the essence of a study with different participants in different situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a case study?

An observation technique studying one person in depth. 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 is a survey?

A technique for ascertaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Define population in research.

All cases in a group being studied. Signup and view all the answers

What is a random sample?

A sample that fairly represents a population with equal inclusion chances. Signup and view all the answers

What does correlation measure?

The extent to which two factors vary together. 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 scatterplot.

A graph cluster of dots representing two variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is an experiment?

A research method manipulating one or more factors to observe effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is an experimental group?

The group exposed to the treatment in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a control group?

The group not exposed to the treatment in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is random assignment?

Assigning participants to groups by chance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-blind procedure?

An experimental procedure where both participants and staff are unaware of treatment allocation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the placebo effect?

Results caused by expectations alone. Signup and view all the answers

Define independent variable.

The experimental factor that is manipulated. Signup and view all the answers

What is a confounding variable?

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

What is a dependent variable?

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

Study Notes

Experiment Terms in Psychology

Hindsight Bias: Known as the "I-Knew-It-All-Along" phenomenon; the tendency to believe, after an event, that one would have predicted the outcome.
Culture: A collection of behaviors, ideas, values, and traditions that are passed down through generations within a specific group.
Critical Thinking: Assessment that goes beyond accepting conclusions; involves examining assumptions, understanding values, evaluating evidence, and reviewing conclusions.
Informed Consent: An ethical guideline ensuring participants know enough about a study to make an informed choice on their involvement.
Debriefing: An explanation given to participants after a study, detailing the study’s purpose and clarifying any misleading aspects.
Theory: A comprehensive explanation that incorporates a set of principles to predict behaviors or phenomena.
Hypothesis: A testable assertion that emerges from a theory, outlining a predicted relationship or outcome.
Operational Definition: Clear, detailed descriptions of the processes and criteria used to measure and define research variables.
Replication: The act of repeating a study with different participants and circumstances to ensure findings are consistent.
Case Study: An in-depth study of an individual, aiming to unveil general principles applicable to wider populations.
Naturalistic Observation: A research method that involves observing behavior in its natural setting without any intervention.
Survey: A research tool for measuring self-reported attitudes or behaviors, often through questions posed to a representative sample.
Population: The entire group from which samples are drawn in research studies.
Random Sample: A subset of a population where every member has an equal chance of being included, helping to ensure representativeness.
Correlation: A statistical measurement that evaluates the degree to which two factors relate to each other and how one can predict the other.
Correlation Coefficient: A numerical value that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Scatterplot: A graphical representation showing the relationship between two variables, with dots representing their values; the pattern and direction indicate strength and type of correlation.
Experiment: A research method where one or more factors are manipulated to assess their effects on behavior or mental processes, utilizing random assignment to control variables.
Experimental Group: The group in a study that receives the treatment or modification being tested, exposed to the independent variable.
Control Group: The comparison group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, providing a baseline for evaluating effects.
Random Assignment: The procedure by which participants are allocated to experimental or control groups randomly, reducing pre-existing differences.
Double-Blind Procedure: A method in experiments where both participants and experimenters are unaware of who has received the treatment vs. placebo, often used in drug trials.
Placebo Effect: Observed effects on behavior resulting from participants' expectations rather than the treatment itself, typically when receiving a non-active substance.
Independent Variable: The variable intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on behavior.
Confounding Variable: Any factor that complicates the understanding of the relationship between the independent and dependent variable, potentially skewing results.
Dependent Variable: The outcome variable in a study that responds to changes in the independent variable, reflecting the effects of the experimental manipulation.

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Test your knowledge of key terms in psychology with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential concepts such as hindsight bias, culture, and critical thinking, crucial for understanding psychological experiments and theories. Enhance your learning and recall with this interactive tool.