Module 2
Common flaws in common sense thinking
Hinsight Bias
Overconfidence
Perceiving order in random events
Refining theories
descriptive methods
correlational methods
exprimental methods
Random sampling
sample that fairly represents a population where each member has an equal chance of inclusion
explain r=+/- number
+/- determines direction
IF +, than both variables either increase or decrease
IF -, then as one variable increases then other decreases (viseversa)
NUMBER: if 0, weak correlation
if 0.5, moderate correlation
if 1, strong correlation
Experimentation
research method that consists of manipulating thr independant variable to see the effects it has on the dependant variable
Hindsight Bias
"i knew it all along phenomena"
tendency to believe after learning an outcome
Post-truth
describing modern culture where peoples emotions and personal beliefs override acceptance of objective truth
false news
misinformation provided intentionally
repitition
statements become more believable as they are repeated
availability of powerful examples
"if it bleeds, it leads" concept
echo chamber of the like-minded
feel good about groups that make us feel good
scientific method
self correcting process for evaluating ideas
Theory
explanation using inegrated principles that organizes and predicts behaviour (broad)
hypotheses
more specific and testable prediction that is implied by a theory
operational definitions
carefully specific worded statements of exact procedure
Replicate
repeating essence of study usually with different participants/situations to see if similar results are produced
pre-registration
publicly communicating study design, hypotheses
meta-analysis
statistical procedure that analyzes results of multiple studies
Case study
descritpive technique in which one/ group of individuals are studied to reveal universal principles
Naturlistic observation
descriptive technique that examines one or a group of people without manipulating a situation rather in a natural setting
survey
descriptive technique for obtaining self reported attitudes/ behaviours by RANDOM SAMPLING
Population
all those in a group being studied
Correlation
measure of the extent to which two factors vary together
correlational coefficient
index of relationship between -1 to 1
Variable and two types
entity that can take on any value
IV: variable that is being manipulated/ altered
DV: outcome measured and is affected by the IV
Scatterplots
graphed cluster that represents value of both variables
Illusory Correlation
perceiving a relationship where none exists or a "stronger-than-actual" relationship
Regression towards the mean
tendency for EXTREME or unusual scores
experimental group
group that is exposed to treatment and is subject to change
control group
group that is not exposed to change and serves as comparison
Randomly assign
DIFFERENT FROM RANDOM SAMPLING
consists of assigning particpants to either control or experimental group
Double-blind procedure
where both participants and experimentar are unaware which participants received treatment or a placebo
Placebo effect
helps eliminate expectation that may alter results in an experiment by essentially tricking a group that they are receiving the treatment
infromed consent
giving potential particpants enogh info for them to decide if they want to participate in experiment
Debrief
post-experiment explanation of study that includes info on purpose and deceptions
cofounding variable
factor that is not being studied but may infleunce the studys result