Research Methods in Psychology

Questions and Answers

What are confounds in experimental research?

The manipulated variable

Bias in intuition

Differences between the experimental and control groups (correct)

The measured variable

What role does a confederate play in an experiment?

An actor playing a specific role for the experimenter

Biases of intuition can influence our conclusions.

True

What does cherry picking the evidence mean?

Seeking and accepting only the evidence that supports our beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What is the availability heuristic?

The idea that memorable events guide our thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is over-confidence bias?

The tendency to be overly confident in our ideas Signup and view all the answers

What is confirmatory hypothesis testing?

Asking questions likely to give desired or expected answers Signup and view all the answers

Controlled studies involve manipulating the ______ variable.

independent Signup and view all the answers

Why are comparison/control groups important?

To test whether the independent variable is having an effect Signup and view all the answers

What are conceptual definitions?

Abstract concepts representing variables like 'depression' or 'debt stress' Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable?

The manipulated or changed variable in an experiment Signup and view all the answers

What does the dependent variable represent?

The measured variable in an experiment Signup and view all the answers

What defines anecdotal claims?

Based on experience but lacks frequency data Signup and view all the answers

Which type of claim describes how frequent something is?

Frequency Claim Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of correlation?

Positive association Signup and view all the answers

What is construct validity?

The extent to which a study's variables measure what they are supposed to measure Signup and view all the answers

What is external validity?

The applicability of a study's findings to the real world Signup and view all the answers

What does statistical validity examine?

Margin of error Signup and view all the answers

What are the three rules for causal claims?

Internal validity, rule of covariance, and rule of temporal precedence Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the Tuskegee Study?

The impact of untreated syphilis on African American males. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Methods in Psychology

Confounds: Alternative explanations for differences between experimental and control groups, excluding the independent variable.
Confederate: An actor in a study who plays a specific role, perceived by participants as another participant.
Biases of Intuition:
- Thinking the easy way: Preference for simpler, believable ideas over complex conclusions.
- Thinking what we want: Confirmation bias leads to incorrect conclusions by not challenging existing beliefs.
Cherry Picking the Evidence: Selecting only evidence that aligns with one’s existing beliefs while ignoring contrary information.
Availability Heuristic: The tendency to rely on immediate examples that come to mind, resulting in biased thinking based on vivid or recent memories.
Over-confidence Bias: A tendency to be excessively confident in one's conclusions, regardless of actual accuracy, exemplified by eyewitness testimony.
Confirmatory Hypothesis Testing: The practice of asking leading questions that are likely to elicit desired responses, thereby reinforcing subjective beliefs.
Controlled Studies vs. Observational Studies:
- Controlled studies involve manipulation of independent variables and comparison to control groups.
- Observational studies involve behavior observation without manipulation.
Importance of Comparison/Control Groups: Essential for assessing the effects of the independent variable, must maintain identical conditions to validate results.
Conceptual Definition: Abstract interpretation of variables, such as "Depression" or "Debt stress," which require clear definitions for research.
Independent Variable: The variable manipulated in an experiment to observe its effects.
Dependent Variable: The variable measured in response to changes in the independent variable.
Anecdotal Claims: Personal stories or solutions to problems lacking statistical backing and based on individual experience.
Types of Claims:
- Frequency Claim: Reports how common or frequent something is.
- Association Claim: Indicates a relationship between variable changes.
- Causal Claim: Asserts that one variable causes a change in another.
Types of Associations:
- Positive Association: Both variables increase or decrease together.
- Negative Association: One variable increases while the other decreases.
- Zero Correlation: No relationship between the variables.
- Curvilinear Correlation: Pattern changes as one variable increases, such as age affecting healthcare visits.
Construct Validity: Measurement accuracy of variables to ensure they assess what they are intended to measure.
External Validity: The applicability of study results to real-world scenarios, influenced by how populations were sampled.
Statistical Validity: Involves assessing the margin of error, statistical significance, and overall sensibility of results.
Three Rules for Causal Claims:
- Internal Validity: No alternate explanations for changes; only the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
- Rule of Covariance: Changes in the independent variable must correspond with changes in the dependent variable.
- Rule of Temporal Precedence: The independent variable must precede the effect observed in the dependent variable.
Tuskegee Study: Infamous clinical study showcasing ethical violations in research, relevant for discussions on ethics in psychological research.

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This quiz features flashcards on key concepts from Beth Morling's 'Research Methods in Psychology.' It covers essential terms like confounds, confederates, and biases of intuition. Perfect for students seeking to enhance their understanding of psychological research methods.