PSY201H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Divisor, Observer-Expectancy Effect, Convergent Validity
Document Summary
In order for us to go out and test a hypothesis between variables we have to be able to measure/manipulate those variables. Some variables are easily defined and measured, while others are not well-defined and cannot be directly observed (age, height, weight, reaction time) Constructs: internal attributes or characteristics that cannot be directly observed but are useful for describing and explaining behaviour (such as introversion and extraversion- things that actually don"t exist anywhere; names we give to theoretical constructs) Conceptual definition tells you what the variable mean, what it does. Operation definition provides us with a way to measure it. E. g. , mourning conceptual definition grieving over death of someone"; operational definition failing to eat" [not the only way though] It"s important to have clear operational definitions for both independent and dependent variables during experiments. Operational definitions: definition of theoretical constructs that are stated in terms of concrete, observable procedures. Describes a set of operations" for measuring (or manipulating) a construct.
