An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations

                          The Scientific Method
Theory: An integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts behavior.
Hypothesis: A testable prediction often implied by a theory.
Operational Definitions: Statements (descriptions) of the procedures used to define research variables.
Replication: Repeating the essence of a study, usually with different participants and in different situations.
Hindsight Bias: The tendency to believe, after learning the outcome, that you knew that was how it would turn out.
Goal of research: To describe, predict, & explain behavior.I. Research that Describes only

Case Study: A descriptive technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.
Naturalistic Observation: Observing & recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating or controlling the situation.
Survey: A techniques for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them.
     Population: All of the people in a particular group from with a sample may be drawn.
     Random Sample: A subset of people who fairly represent the population because each person has an equal chance of being selected.  Using a random sample increase the generalizability (external validity) of a study.
     Generalizability: The extent to which results of a study can be applied to the outside world.  Also called External Validity.
     False Consensus Effect: The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors.
     Social Desirability Bias: Tendency of subjects to present themselves in a socially desirable light.
       II. Research the Describes and Predicts Behavior
(Non-Experimental Designs)Correlational Research: Research that seeks to measure the RELATIONSHIP between two variables without trying to determine causality or manipulating either of the variables.
     Scatterplot: A graphed cluster of dots, each which represents the values of two variables.  The slope of the dots represents the direction (+ or -) of the relationship while the amount of "scatter" suggests the strength of the correlation.
     Correlation Coefficient: A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other. The statistic is always between -1.00 and +1.00.
A Positive correlation coefficient means that as one variable increases, so does the other.
A Negative correlation coefficient means that as one variable increases, the other decreases (i.e., an inverse relationship).

Regardless of the strength of the relationship, correlations cannot tell us that one variable CAUSES changes in the other because:
     1) Variable X could be affecting variable Y OR
         variable Y could be affecting variable X.
     2) Third variables could be affecting BOTH variables X and Y.
     Illusory Correlation: The perception of a relationship between two variables where none truly exists.

Differential Research: Research that involves

NEXT PAGE

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

A testable prediction often implied by theory

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures. Used in a research study

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations

One individual or group is studied I depth in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

For obtaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

A statistical index of the relationship between two things -1 to 1

A graph of clustered dots, which represent values of 2 variables

Regression toward the mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) toward the average

A research method in which the investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variable) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent variable)

The group exposed to the treatment
That is, to one version of the independent variable

The group not exposed to the treatment;
Serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance
Minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups

Both research participants and the research staff are blind about who received the treatment or placebo

Caused by expectations alone.
Participants assuming they have the active agent

The factor that is manipulated
The variable whose effect is being studied

The outcome that is measured
The variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce and effect

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

The post experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions to its participants

What is an integrated set of principles?

What do you call the set of explanation and organized principles that explain a certain phenomenon?

What explains behavior by organizing observations?

What are the fundamental principles in social psychology?