psyc0 ch2
Random assignment
A selection method in which subjects are assigned either to the experimental or control group based on chance
Experiment
A study in which the investigator manipulates at least one variable (independent) while measuring at least one other variable(dependent).
What is a theory?
A theory is a comprehensive explanation of observable events and conditions. A good theory makes precise and consistent predictions while relying on a small number of underlying assumptions.
Naturalistic Observation:
Careful monitoring and examination of what people and animals do under more or less natural circumstances.
Which of the following might be used as an operational definition of "attraction"?
The number of minutes during which two people are touching each other over a four-hour period
Control group
The set of individuals experience the same conditions except for exposure to the treatment.
Experimental group
The set of individuals who receive the treatment.
In order to measure concepts and phenomena accurately, we develop behavioral or observable definitions of them.
These are called operational definitions. An operational definition specifies the operations or procedures used to produce or measure something. It gives a numerical value to something intangible.
The scientific word for a claim is
hypothesis
Experimenter bias
is the researcher's unintentional distortion of the procedures or results of an experiment based on the expected or desired outcome