Psychology: History & Research Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real AP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Psychology: History & Research Methods flashcards as text
A researcher manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on what?
Answer: The dependent variable
The dependent variable is the outcome measured to detect the effect of the independent variable.
What is the purpose of random assignment in an experiment?
Answer: To evenly distribute participant differences across groups
Random assignment spreads participant characteristics evenly, reducing confounding between groups.
A double-blind procedure means that neither participants nor whom know who received the treatment?
Answer: The research assistants administering it
In a double-blind study, both participants and those administering the treatment are unaware of group assignments.
A positive correlation coefficient of +0.85 indicates what?
Answer: A strong relationship where variables increase together
A coefficient near +1 shows a strong relationship where both variables rise together.
Why can't correlational studies establish causation?
Answer: A third variable may explain the relationship
Correlation cannot prove cause because a confounding third variable may account for the link.
Defining 'happiness' as a participant's score on a 1-to-10 self-report scale is an example of what?
Answer: An operational definition
An operational definition specifies how a variable is measured in concrete, observable terms.
A study finds results that occur by chance less than 5% of the time. This is described as what?
Answer: Statistically significant
Results with a p-value below .05 are considered statistically significant, meaning unlikely due to chance.