PSYC 2520 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: A Generation, Operant Conditioning, Generation Gap

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2520
• Professor: Josee Rivest

Document Summary

Prospective data refers to recorded data of or in the future. Retrospective data refers to recorded data looking or directed backward. Several families of nonrandomized designs that are frequently used for generalized causal inference include nonequivalent-groups designs, interrupted time-series designs, cross-lagged panel designs, single-case experimental designs, and cohort designs. Causality implies correlation, as causality entails the covariation of the presumed cause (x) and the presumed effect (y). However, finding that x and y covary does not reveal why they are related. Besides covariation and temporal precedence, another requirement of causal inference is the exclusion of plausible rival explanations of the covarying relationship between x and y. Third-variable problem: i(cid:374) (cid:374)o(cid:374)(cid:396)a(cid:374)do(cid:373)ized (cid:396)esea(cid:396)(cid:272)h, a (cid:862)thi(cid:396)d (cid:448)a(cid:396)ia(cid:271)le(cid:863) that is (cid:272)o(cid:396)(cid:396)elated (cid:449)ith both x and y could cause x and y to covary. A (cid:862)t(cid:455)pe g e(cid:396)(cid:396)o(cid:396)(cid:863), o(cid:396) (cid:862)g(cid:396)oup e(cid:396)(cid:396)o(cid:396)(cid:863) (cid:373)ea(cid:374)s that (cid:396)ele(cid:448)a(cid:374)t e(cid:454)t(cid:396)a(cid:374)eous fa(cid:272)to(cid:396)s e(cid:454)ist that a(cid:396)e characteristic of one group but uncharacteristic of another.