PSYCH 1X03 Study Guide - Final Guide: Reinforcement, Stimulus Control, Representativeness Heuristic

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 1X03
• Professor: Joe Kim

Document Summary

The scientific method: ensures reliable and meaningful research. Minimizes bias, conflict and promotes accurate results and scientific discourse: construct a theory, generate hypothesis, choose research method, collect data, analyze data, report the findings, revise existing theories. Independent variable: describes the condition the experimenter places the subject in (cid:862)what (cid:448)aria(cid:271)le is the e(cid:454)peri(cid:373)e(cid:374)ter manipulating? (cid:863) Depe(cid:374)de(cid:374)t (cid:448)aria(cid:271)le: (cid:862)what (cid:448)aria(cid:271)le is the e(cid:454)peri(cid:373)e(cid:374)ter observing? (cid:863) or (cid:862)what (cid:448)aria(cid:271)le does the i(cid:374)depe(cid:374)de(cid:374)t (cid:448)aria(cid:271)le affe(cid:272)t? (cid:863) Single experience might not be representative of whole idea. Personal experience might not represent others i. e. cannot be sure that result is due to energy drinks alone (when studying) Within-subjects design: same participant is tested repeatedly, both control and experimental group. Problems: many different external factors, time consuming, practice effect: improved performance over the course of an experiment. Subjects performance changes due to experience with the experiment, rather than an experimental manipulation. Participants must be alike in as many ways as possible.