Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the middle score in a distribution?
What is the term used to describe the middle score in a distribution?
- Mean
- Mode
- Median (correct)
- Range
Which statistic is most useful for measuring the variation in hours spent studying?
Which statistic is most useful for measuring the variation in hours spent studying?
- Standard Deviation (correct)
- Median
- Mean
- Range
Why is standard deviation considered a better measure of variation than the range?
Why is standard deviation considered a better measure of variation than the range?
- It is easier to calculate.
- It only considers the highest and lowest values.
- It provides a clear visual representation.
- It accounts for all data points. (correct)
What method is often used in psychological research to control the effect of confounding variables?
What method is often used in psychological research to control the effect of confounding variables?
Which research method is most effective for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?
Which research method is most effective for establishing cause-and-effect relationships?
What is one of the ethical guidelines that safeguard human research participants?
What is one of the ethical guidelines that safeguard human research participants?
What aspect of research helps psychologists ensure that their findings are not biased?
What aspect of research helps psychologists ensure that their findings are not biased?
Which statement is true regarding the generalization of psychological research?
Which statement is true regarding the generalization of psychological research?
What is one of the main purposes of psychological science?
What is one of the main purposes of psychological science?
How does hindsight bias affect our understanding of psychological science?
How does hindsight bias affect our understanding of psychological science?
Which of the following demonstrates the need for psychological science over intuition?
Which of the following demonstrates the need for psychological science over intuition?
What does the standard deviation of test scores indicate about Class A and Class B?
What does the standard deviation of test scores indicate about Class A and Class B?
What role does critical thinking play in psychological science?
What role does critical thinking play in psychological science?
What does the tendency to perceive order in random events illustrate?
What does the tendency to perceive order in random events illustrate?
Why is psychological science considered more reliable than common sense?
Why is psychological science considered more reliable than common sense?
What might be a misconception about psychological science?
What might be a misconception about psychological science?
What fundamental similarity justifies the study of animals in psychological research?
What fundamental similarity justifies the study of animals in psychological research?
What is one consequence of studying animals according to the text?
What is one consequence of studying animals according to the text?
According to the content, which animal is noted for its simple nervous system revealing mechanisms of learning?
According to the content, which animal is noted for its simple nervous system revealing mechanisms of learning?
What criticism is made regarding the justification of animal research?
What criticism is made regarding the justification of animal research?
What movement protests the use of animals in various forms of research?
What movement protests the use of animals in various forms of research?
What point does Dave Barry make regarding humans and lottery tickets?
What point does Dave Barry make regarding humans and lottery tickets?
What fraction of animals used in research is noted compared to those killed annually for food?
What fraction of animals used in research is noted compared to those killed annually for food?
Why do psychologists find studying animals appealing?
Why do psychologists find studying animals appealing?
What ethical principle guides the use of results from medical testing?
What ethical principle guides the use of results from medical testing?
Which statistical measure would best show how close a student's SAT score is to the average for their school?
Which statistical measure would best show how close a student's SAT score is to the average for their school?
When discussing experimental designs, what does random assignment help to control?
When discussing experimental designs, what does random assignment help to control?
Which type of observation involves studying subjects in their natural environment without interference?
Which type of observation involves studying subjects in their natural environment without interference?
What is the primary purpose of using a placebo in experiments?
What is the primary purpose of using a placebo in experiments?
Which term describes a variable that might confound the results of an experiment?
Which term describes a variable that might confound the results of an experiment?
In a study with a skewed distribution, which measure is typically most representative of the data?
In a study with a skewed distribution, which measure is typically most representative of the data?
Which of the following terms describes the systematic error introduced by an experimenter?
Which of the following terms describes the systematic error introduced by an experimenter?
What percentage of adults in Canada and the United States find medical testing on animals morally acceptable?
What percentage of adults in Canada and the United States find medical testing on animals morally acceptable?
Which historical figure's experiments are mentioned in relation to animal testing and rabies?
Which historical figure's experiments are mentioned in relation to animal testing and rabies?
What is one of the major concerns that animal protection organizations have regarding animal research?
What is one of the major concerns that animal protection organizations have regarding animal research?
What argument do defenders of animal research use regarding consumption of animals?
What argument do defenders of animal research use regarding consumption of animals?
What ethical question arises about the treatment of animals in experiments?
What ethical question arises about the treatment of animals in experiments?
What percentage of British adults consider medical testing on animals to be morally acceptable?
What percentage of British adults consider medical testing on animals to be morally acceptable?
In the context of research, what purpose is often cited for the use of animals according to some researchers?
In the context of research, what purpose is often cited for the use of animals according to some researchers?
Which aspect of animal research is considered culturally variable?
Which aspect of animal research is considered culturally variable?
Which psychological principle explains the tendency of 'Monday morning quarterbacks' to believe they knew the outcome of football games?
Which psychological principle explains the tendency of 'Monday morning quarterbacks' to believe they knew the outcome of football games?
What is the significance of random assignment in a properly designed experiment?
What is the significance of random assignment in a properly designed experiment?
Researchers studying gender often find that:
Researchers studying gender often find that:
Which statement best describes why gas mileage decreases as vehicle weight increases?
Which statement best describes why gas mileage decreases as vehicle weight increases?
Repeated practice of free throws in basketball is most likely to result in which of the following benefits?
Repeated practice of free throws in basketball is most likely to result in which of the following benefits?
Why might a social worker visit a family home to give feedback on family interactions?
Why might a social worker visit a family home to give feedback on family interactions?
What does statistical analysis require when conducting an experiment?
What does statistical analysis require when conducting an experiment?
What can be a consequence of failing to randomly assign participants in an experiment?
What can be a consequence of failing to randomly assign participants in an experiment?
Flashcards
Hindsight Bias
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. For example, saying 'I knew it all along!' after a sporting event.
Overconfidence
Overconfidence
The tendency to be more confident than correct - overestimating our knowledge and abilities.
Perceiving Order in Random Events
Perceiving Order in Random Events
The mistaken belief that random events have patterns.
Psychological Science
Psychological Science
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Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
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Standard Deviation
Standard Deviation
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Mean
Mean
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Zero Standard Deviation
Zero Standard Deviation
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Middle Score
Middle Score
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Range
Range
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Standard Deviation (vs Range)
Standard Deviation (vs Range)
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Simplified Laboratory Conditions
Simplified Laboratory Conditions
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Generalizing Research Findings
Generalizing Research Findings
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Ethical Guidelines for Animal Research
Ethical Guidelines for Animal Research
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Animal Research in Psychology
Animal Research in Psychology
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Shared Biology Principle
Shared Biology Principle
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Ethics of Animal Research
Ethics of Animal Research
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Benefits outweigh harm
Benefits outweigh harm
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Similarities and Differences Argument
Similarities and Differences Argument
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Animal Protection Movement
Animal Protection Movement
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Fraction of Animals Used in Research
Fraction of Animals Used in Research
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Sea Slug Research
Sea Slug Research
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Human Well-being vs Animal Well-being
Human Well-being vs Animal Well-being
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Justification for Sacrificing Animals
Justification for Sacrificing Animals
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Pro-Animal Research Argument
Pro-Animal Research Argument
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Alternatives to Animal Research
Alternatives to Animal Research
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Ethical Dilemma of Animal Research
Ethical Dilemma of Animal Research
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Naturalistic Justification of Animal Use
Naturalistic Justification of Animal Use
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Benefits of Animal Research
Benefits of Animal Research
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Public Opinion on Animal Research
Public Opinion on Animal Research
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Random Assignment
Random Assignment
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Study Notes
Research Methods: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science
- Psychological science uses a self-correcting process to evaluate ideas and use observations and analysis
- Hindsight bias is when people believe they knew something all along after it's already happened
- Overconfidence is when people tend to overestimate their knowledge or abilities
- Random events often appear to have order, but this is a perceptual bias
- The scientific attitude involves curiosity, skepticism, and humility
- Critical thinking examines assumptions, assesses sources, discerns hidden values, confirms evidence, and assesses conclusions (helps us avoid biases)
The Need for Psychological Science
- Intuition can be misleading or inaccurate
- Psychological research helps us understand behavior, emotions, opinions and relationships
The Scientific Method and Description
- Theories are explanations that use an integrated set of principles to explain behavior or events
- Theories generate testable predictions (hypotheses) that can confirm, reject, or revise the theory
- Operational definitions are precise procedures or measures that will allow others to recreate, or replicate, the study with different participants and situations to ensure reliability
- Case studies involve in depth studies of individuals to understand universal principles
- Naturalistic observation records behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating the situation
- Surveys ask people questions on attitudes or reported behaviors to estimate a whole population (important: representative sampling-every person has an equal chance)
Correlation and Experimentation
- Correlation is a measure of how two variables change together, which can help predict
- Correlation coefficient represents the strength and direction of the relationship (from -1 to 1)
- A scatterplot visually displays the values of two variables (trend and strength)
- Correlation does not equal causation (correlation can suggest a relationship but not necessarily a causal link)
- Experiments isolate cause and effect by manipulating variables and controlling other potential influences
- Random assignment in experiments helps rule out confounding variables, when participants are randomly assigned to groups (experimental vs control)
- Independent variable is the manipulated variable
- Dependent variable is the outcome or measured variable
Statistical Reasoning in Everyday Life
- Descriptive statistics summarize data (mode, median, and mean) and measures of variation (range and standard deviation)
- Inferential statistics allow generalizing results from a sample to a population
- An observed difference is reliable when the sample is representative, there is low variability, there are many cases, and the difference is statistically significant
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
- Simplified lab conditions help illuminate everyday behavior, but these principles do not always apply directly to real-world situations
- Psychological research findings aren't always consistent across cultures or genders, and researchers need to consider cultural diversity
- Animal research is sometimes necessary to study basic processes that are difficult or unethical to study in humans
- Ethical guidelines protect participants in research (human and animal) and uphold values, including informed consent, and debriefing to ensure safety, benefits and well being
- Psychology is not free of value judgments; values influence topics, theories and interpretation
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Description
Test your understanding of key concepts in psychological research methods, including measures of central tendency, variation, and ethics in research. This quiz covers essential terms and methods that are foundational to the study of psychology.
