Chapter 1
1. Science - page 4
Connotes content and process. The systematic study of the structure and behavior
of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the
testing of theories against the evidence obtained.
2. Stereotyping - page 10
Falsely assume that specific behaviors cluster together.
3. Overconfidence bias - page 11
To feel more confident about our conclusions than is warranted by available data.
The tendency to overestimate our knowledge and abilities in a certain area.
4. Empirical data - page 11
Data are empirical when observed or experienced. The information acquired by
scientists through experimentation and observation.
5. Theory - page 12
A theory is a set of statements that describes general principles about how
variables relate to one another. Is an interim explanation; a set of related
statements used explain and predict phenomena. Integrate diverse data, explain
behavior, and predict new instances of behavior.
6. Control - page 24
Is the use of scientific knowledge to influence behavior. In psychology, control is a
person's ability or perception of their ability to affect themselves, others, their
conditions, their environment or some other circumstance. Control over oneself or
others can extend to the regulation of emotions, thoughts, actions, impulses,
memory, attention or experiences.
7. Experimental controls - page 24
helps ensure that random variables that are not under study are not influencing
the results of an experiment. The experimenter needs to control all aspects of an
experiment in order to ensure that any effect that is seen is caused by the
independent variable.
Chapter 2
8. Institutional Review Board. P.100
Is a committee responsible for interpreting ethical principles and ensuring that
research using human participants is conducted ethically.
Institutional review boards (IRBs) are composed of laypeople and researchers,
evaluate research proposals to make sure that they follow ethical standards.
9. Risk vs benefit - page 37
10. Informed consent (including what issues are covered in the informed consent
form) P. 100
Is the researcher`s obligation to explain the study to potential participants in
everyday language and give them a chance to decide whether to participate. Is
obtained by providing a written document that outlines the procedures, risks and
benefits of the research, including a statement about any treatments that are
experimental.
11. Debriefing. P. 102
Debriefing involves explaining the true nature and purpose of the experiment.
Describe the nature of the deception and explain why it was necessary. Describes
the design of the study, thereby giving the participant some insight about the
nature of psychological science. An experimenter discloses the true nature and
purpose of the study to the subject and solicits subjects’ questions at the end of the
experiment.
12. Animal Welfare Act. P. 107
Outlines standards and guidelines for the treatment of animals (AWA 1996).
Applies to many species of animals in research laboratories and other contexts,
including zoos and pet stores. Mandates that relevant research institutions have a
local board called the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and it
must approve any animal research project before it can begin.
13. Deciding factors for using animals in research - page 50
Chapter 5
14. Experimental design vs quasi-experimental design - page 130
15. Quasi-experimental design. P. 401.
Aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between an independent and
dependent variable. 16. External validity. P. 67 or 592
An indication of how well the results of a study generalize to, or represent,
individuals or contexts besides those in the study itself.
17. Internal validity. P 72 or 593
One of three criteria for establishing a casual claim, a study`s ability to rule out
alternative explanations for a causal relationship between two variables. Also
called third variable criterion.
18. Correlation. P. 62
19. Correlation coefficient. P. 482
20. Positive vs negative correlation. P. 62
21. Cross-sectional study. P. 243
22. Longitudinal study. P. 243
Chapter 6
23. Experimental hypothesis - page 166
24. Falsifiable - page 168 14?
25. Inductive vs deductive approach - page 170
Inductive reasoning involves starting from specific premises and forming a general
conclusion, while deductive reasoning involves using general premises to form a
specific conclusion. Conclusions reached via deductive reasoning cannot be
incorrect if the premises are true.
26.Best way to develop a hypothesis - page 173 12?
27.Benefits of reviewing previous research - page 173-174
28.Serendipity - page 174
One that is concerned with finding pleasing things that one had not been looking
for.
Unexpected and positive personal, scholarly, scientific, organizational, and societal
events and discoveries.
Serendipity currently has two related meanings: 1) Looking for something and
finding something even better. 2) Looking for something and finding just what you
needed.
29. Meta-analysis. P. 444 or 593
A way of mathematically averaging the effect sizes of all the studies that have
tested the same variables to see what conclusion that whole body of evidence
supports.
30. Primary resource used to find journal articles today - page 181
Chapter 7
31. Independent variable. P. 592
In an experiment, a variable that is manipulated. In a multiple-regression analysis,
a predictor variable used to explain variance in the criterion variable.
32. Dependent variable. P. 591
In an experiment, the variable that is measured. In a multiple-regression analysis,
the single outcome, or criterion variable the researchers are more interested in
understanding or predicting. Also called outcome variable.
33. Operational definition. P. 595
The specific way in which a concept of interest is measured or manipulated as a
variable in a study. Also called operationalization, operational variable.
34. Construct vs content variable - page 212
Constructs are conceptualized at the theoretical (abstract) plane, while variables
are operationalized and measured at the empirical (observational) plane.
35. Confounded variable - page 217-218
Factors other than the independent variable that may cause a result.
36. Maturation threat. P. 593
A threat to internal validity that occurs when an observed change in an
experimental group could have emerged more or less spontaneously over time.
37. History threat. P. 592
A threat to internal validity that occurs when it is unclear whether a change in the
treatment group is caused by the treatment itself or by an external or historical
factor that affects most members of the group.
38. Selection threat - page 223
Chapter 8
39. Constancy of conditions - page 234
40. Balancing - page 235
41. Demand characteristics - page 237
42. Cover story - page 244
43. Experimenter bias - page 247
44. Single blind vs double blind experiment - page 248
45. Characteristics of most effective interviewers - page 252
46. Characteristics of volunteers vs non-volunteers - page 253
