Psychology Chapter 8 Flashcards

Study Notes

Classical Experiment Overview

Classical experiments consist of four major components: Hypothesis, Independent Variable (IV) & Dependent Variable (DV), Pretest/Posttest measures, and Experimental & Control Groups.

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationships between variables.
It determines which variables will be included in the study.
Should be based on prior research to ensure validity.

Independent Variable (IV) & Dependent Variable (DV)

Independent Variable (IV): represents the cause, indicating its presence or absence.
Dependent Variable (DV): represents the outcome that depends on the IV; it can vary and is the effect being measured.

Pretest/Posttest

Pretest: Initial measurement of the DV before participants are exposed to the IV (stimulus).
Posttest: Measurement of the DV after exposure to the IV, assessing changes due to the stimulus.
Any difference between pretest and posttest measurements on the DV is attributed to the IV.

Example of Pretest/Posttest

In a study on prejudice against Muslims, the hypothesis posits that prejudice relies on a lack of knowledge about Muslim history.
Step 1 involves pretesting subjects through a questionnaire about their prejudice levels.
Step 2 is a posttest where participants answer the same questions after watching an informative video to determine if their prejudice was reduced.

Experimental & Control Groups

Experimental Group: Receives the stimulus (IV) being tested.
Control Group: Does not receive the stimulus and acts as a comparison; it resembles the experimental group in all other aspects but receives a placebo.

Example of Experimental/Control Group

In the same prejudice study:
- Step 1 involves giving a survey to all participants.
- Step 2 consists of showing the video only to the experimental group.
- Step 3 involves conducting a posttest for both groups to measure changes in prejudice levels.

Experimental Design

Effective experimental design includes the randomization of participants into experimental and control groups to minimize biases and ensure reliable results.

Randomization Process

Randomization involves two steps:
- Starting with a predefined sample and group of people.
- Randomly assigning individuals into experimental and control groups to ensure equal representation and reduce selection bias.

Description

These flashcards cover key concepts from Chapter 8 of your psychology course, focusing on classical experiments. Learn about the major components like hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, and the importance of experimental versus control groups. Perfect for quick review and reinforcement of your understanding!