AICE Psychology Paper 2

ecological validity

The extent to which a study is realistic or representative of real life.

mundane realism

the extent to which experimental findings can be generalized to the real world

matched pairs design

when the participants are matched on a variable (bandura et al participants were matched on aggression levels)

Learning Approach

The theoretical view that focuses on how behavior changes as a function of rewards and punishments; also called behaviorism.

null hypothesis

a hypothesis that states there is no statistical significance between two variables

confederate/stooge

the researcher has an accomplice pose as a client, a subordinate in an experiment

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

demand characteristics

those aspects of an observational setting that cause people to behave as they think someone else wants or expects

external validity

validity of applying the conclusions of a study outside the context of the study

Volunteer sampling strengths

-Less time consuming. -Cheap because volunteers are self motivated.

survey weaknesses

-Responses can sometimes be false -Materials gathered may be superficial as important differences among respondents' viewpoints may be glossed over

field experiment strengths

-behavior in a field experiment more likely to refelct real life (eco validity = ^^^^^)

case study strengths

-detailed info -insight for further research -investigation of otherwise impractical situations

Opportunity sampling advantages

-ease of formation -natural experiments

Lab experiment strengths

-easier to replicate because a standardized procedure is used -precise control of extraneous and independent variables -allows cause and effect relationship to be established

survey strengths

-easy to administer -cost effective -develop in less time

naturalistic observation strengths

-high ecological validity -less possibility of demand characteristics -can be used when it is unethical to manipulate the IV

field experiment weaknesses

-less control over extraneous variables -difficult to replicate

lab experiment weaknesses

-low ecological validity -demand characteristics may bias results

case study weaknesses

-low generalization -difficult to replicate -time consuming

naturalistic observation weaknesses

-may cost more -no control over extraneous variables

random sampling strengths

-represents target population -eliminates sampling bias

APA

American Psychological Association, promotes the invention, communication, and utilization of psychological education to help the community and enhance people's lives

Cognitive Approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing the mental processes involved in knowing: how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems.

BPS

British Psychological Society, provides ethical guidelines for research

internal validity

How well is the experiment done? less confounding variables = higher

repeated measures design

The same participants are used in all the conditions in an experiment

Independent measures design

Using DIFFERENT participants in each condition of the experiment, each participant only sees one level of the IV

Volunteer sampling

When participants put themselves forwards to take part in the investigation e.g. respond to an advert

Biological approach to psychology

an approach to psychology focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system

random allocation

assignment of subjects or participants to treatment groups in an unpredictable fashion

two-tailed hypothesis

both directions of an effect or relationship are considered in the alternative hypothesis of the test (basically gives two options instead of telling us only one)

generalze

can the study be related to a large group of people?

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

used to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain that may be associated with certain brain disorders

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

used to generate images of the body to assist the doctors in diagnosing diseases or conditions and evaluating injuries

statistical significance

when the result is highly unlikely to have occurred given the null hypothesis

Nature vs. Nurture

debate on whether human behavior is determined by the environment (nurture) or by a person's genes (nature)

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity

random sampling

equal probability of being chosen

Reliablility

how consistent are the scores of the study or experiment?

measures of central tendency

mean, median, mode

inter-rater reliability

measure of agreement among observers on how they record and classify a particular event

correlation coefficient

measure of the direction and extent of the relationship between two scores

Correlation

measure of the extent that two variables are related

standard deviation

measure of variance that indicated typical distance between the scores of a distribution and the mean, low standard deviation is good bc it shows that the data is not widespread and it is more reliable

Ethics for humans

need consent, no harm may be done, participant MUST leave in the same state they arrived, psychological state MUST stay in tact

Measures of Variance

range, interquartile range, variance, standard deviation

one-tailed hypothesis

statistical test in which the critical area of distribution is one sided (females will score higher on the eyes test than males)

Opportunity sampling

taking the sample from people who are available at the time the study is being conducted and fit the criteria (andrade et al)