Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main focus of psychology as a science?
What is the main focus of psychology as a science?
- The physical structure of the brain
- The origins of extraterrestrial theories
- Studying behavior and mental processes (correct)
- Natural remedies and their effectiveness
Which of the following is NOT one of the three features of science?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three features of science?
- Public knowledge
- Empirical questions
- Pseudoscience (correct)
- Systematic empiricism
What best describes empirical questions in psychology?
What best describes empirical questions in psychology?
- Questions about hypothetical scenarios
- Questions that are untestable
- Questions based solely on previous beliefs
- Questions answered through observation (correct)
What is meant by systematic empiricism in psychology?
What is meant by systematic empiricism in psychology?
Which goal of psychologists involves explaining the causes of behaviors?
Which goal of psychologists involves explaining the causes of behaviors?
What is a defining characteristic of an interval scale?
What is a defining characteristic of an interval scale?
What is the primary purpose of an ordinal scale?
What is the primary purpose of an ordinal scale?
What is the first step of the scientific method in psychology?
What is the first step of the scientific method in psychology?
What does the term 'public knowledge' refer to in scientific contexts?
What does the term 'public knowledge' refer to in scientific contexts?
Which of the following is an example of a nominal scale?
Which of the following is an example of a nominal scale?
What does a zero score represent in an interval scale?
What does a zero score represent in an interval scale?
What differentiates pseudoscience from legitimate scientific practices?
What differentiates pseudoscience from legitimate scientific practices?
Which scale allows for the measurement of absolute amounts of a variable?
Which scale allows for the measurement of absolute amounts of a variable?
Which description best fits a nominal scale?
Which description best fits a nominal scale?
In an interval scale, which statement is true regarding temperature readings?
In an interval scale, which statement is true regarding temperature readings?
What is the limitation of a nominal scale?
What is the limitation of a nominal scale?
What is the primary goal of controlling demand characteristics in an experiment?
What is the primary goal of controlling demand characteristics in an experiment?
In which of the following designs do participants experience only one condition of the independent variable?
In which of the following designs do participants experience only one condition of the independent variable?
How can an experimenter's personality affect the outcomes of a study?
How can an experimenter's personality affect the outcomes of a study?
What does the term 'context variable' refer to in experimental psychology?
What does the term 'context variable' refer to in experimental psychology?
Which of the following is NOT a type of context variable?
Which of the following is NOT a type of context variable?
What is typically aimed at when participants are selected for an experiment?
What is typically aimed at when participants are selected for an experiment?
What is an important consideration when designing an experiment regarding participants?
What is an important consideration when designing an experiment regarding participants?
Why is it important for participants to understand the nature and purpose of an experiment?
Why is it important for participants to understand the nature and purpose of an experiment?
What is the purpose of random assignment in a matched pair design?
What is the purpose of random assignment in a matched pair design?
How can researchers ensure comparability in treatment conditions?
How can researchers ensure comparability in treatment conditions?
What is the purpose of the participants section in an experimental psychology study?
What is the purpose of the participants section in an experimental psychology study?
What method is suggested for choosing subjects in a random assignment?
What method is suggested for choosing subjects in a random assignment?
Which section is referred to when discussing questionnaires and other testing materials?
Which section is referred to when discussing questionnaires and other testing materials?
Why is it important to have proportional treatment conditions?
Why is it important to have proportional treatment conditions?
What assumption is made when using a multiple-groups procedure?
What assumption is made when using a multiple-groups procedure?
What might be included in an appendix section of an experimental psychology report?
What might be included in an appendix section of an experimental psychology report?
What should researchers do first to begin random assignment?
What should researchers do first to begin random assignment?
What does the term 'subject mortality' refer to in an experimental setting?
What does the term 'subject mortality' refer to in an experimental setting?
What type of differences can the matching process help control?
What type of differences can the matching process help control?
In the context of experiments, what is meant by 'selection interaction threats'?
In the context of experiments, what is meant by 'selection interaction threats'?
What should the apparatus section of an experimental psychology study include?
What should the apparatus section of an experimental psychology study include?
What is a major consideration when selecting treatment conditions in an experiment?
What is a major consideration when selecting treatment conditions in an experiment?
How should the structure of an experimental report be organized?
How should the structure of an experimental report be organized?
What is a critical aspect for another researcher when reading an experimental report?
What is a critical aspect for another researcher when reading an experimental report?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Experiment Design and Context Variables
- Participants should be naïve to the exact hypothesis but aware of the experiment's purpose.
- Experimenter characteristics (warm vs. cold) influence participant responses.
- Context variables arise from the research environment and procedures like subject recruitment and assignment.
- Between-Subjects Design: Participants divided into groups, each experiencing one condition of the independent variable to determine differences.
Homeopathy and Pyramidology
- Homeopathy: Medical treatment using diluted natural substances.
- Pyramidology: Theories about pyramids attributing them to extraterrestrial construction or healing properties.
Features of Science in Psychology
- Systematic empiricism focuses on structured observation and analysis.
- Empirical questions derive from observing how the world works, relating to behavior and mental processes.
- Public knowledge emerges from science through professional publications.
Scientific Method in Psychology
- Scientists identify questions based on behavior and previous research.
- Measurement: Assigning numbers to objects or variables, transforming qualitative attributes to quantitative data.
Measurement Scales
- Nominal Scale: Represents categorical differences (e.g., gender, race) without indicating quantity.
- Ordinal Scale: Organizes categories sequentially, providing order or rank (e.g., satisfaction ratings).
- Interval Scale: Ordered categories that show differences but lack an absolute zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).
- Ratio Scale: Ordered categories with an absolute zero, allowing for the measurement of the variable’s amount (e.g., height).
Experimental Procedure and Documentation
- Detailed documentation of the experimental process allows replication by other researchers.
- Participants section outlines the number of subjects, selection method, and demographic information.
- Apparatus section clarifies equipment used in testing (e.g., model numbers, sizes of instruments).
Selection and Assignment
- Selection threats include participant dropout from experimental conditions.
- Random Assignment: Randomly assigning subjects to experimental or control groups within matched pairs.
- Ensuring treatment conditions are proportional (e.g., varying drug doses) leads to valid comparisons in research outcomes.
Practical Limits and Group Formation
- The multiple-groups procedure relies on random assignment to maintain comparability among groups, ensuring accurate results reflect treatment rather than selection bias.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
