Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Blind Experiment, Confounding, Internal Validity

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Laura Fazakas- Dehoog

Document Summary

A tentative and specific explanation/prediction, usually in an if/then form. Major limitation is due to various explanations for behavior and past events with no sure way to determine correct alternative, if any. High school sweet hearts going apart either- out of sight, out of mind or absence makes the heart grow fonder could be true- or other factors: define the following terms/concepts: If two theories can explain and predict the same phenomena equally well, the simpler theory is preferred. Defines a variable in terms of the specific procedures used to produce or measure it. Translate abstract concepts into something observable and measurable. (ex. Social desirability bias participants respond to a self-report or report in a socially acceptable manner rather than according to their true feelings or behaviours. Descriptive research seeks to identify how humans and other animals behave, particularly in natural settings: poor for cause- effect relationships, drawing broad conclusions from case studies can be risky objectivity (researcher bias)