PSYC 3170 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Epigenetics, Sickle-Cell Disease, Heredity

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3170
• Professor: Krista Trobst

Document Summary

Theory: a tentative explanation of why and under what circumstances certain events occur. Variable: any measurable characteristics of people, objects, or events that may change. Independent variable: studied for its potential or expect influence. Dependent variable: assessed because its value is expected to depend on the independent variable: experiments. A controlled study in which researchers manipulate an independent variable to study its effect on a dependent variable. Manipulate: the researchers produce or introduce the levels of the independent variable they are studying. The experimental method: a hypothesis, randomly assigning people to groups, equate the groups (distribute the people"s characteristics), the experimental group (receiving the experimental treatment), and the control group (receiving usual care) Placebo: given the same instructions as the experimental group, and both would have equal expectations about the effectiveness of the experiment at hand. Placebo effect: any influence the placebo has on the dependent variable.