Chapter 1: Psychology is a Way of Thinking
evidence-based treatment
A psychotherapy technique whose effectiveness has been supported by empirical research.
empiricism
The use of verifiable evidence as the basis for conclusions; collecting data systematically and
using it to develop, support, or challenge a theory. Also called empirical method, empirical
research.
hypothesis
A statement of the specific result the researcher expects to observe from a particular study, if
the theory is accurate. Also called prediction.
replication
The process of conducting a study again to test whether the result is consistent.
applied research
Research whose goal is to find a solution to a particular real-world problem. See also basic
research, translational research.
basic research
Research whose goal is to enhance the general body of knowledge, without regard for direct
application to practical problems. See also applied research, translational research.
journal
A monthly or quarterly periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic
discipline or subdiscipline, written for a scholarly audience. Also called scientific journal.
falsifiable
A feature of a scientific theory, in which it is possible to collect data that will indicate that the
theory is wrong.
universalism
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientific claims are evaluated according to
their merit, independent of the researcher’s credentials or reputation. The same preestablished
criteria apply to all scientists and all research.
communality
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientific knowledge is created by a
community, and its findings belong to the community.
disinterestedness
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientists strive to discover the truth whatever
it is; they are not swayed by conviction, idealism, politics, or profit.
organized skepticism
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientists question everything, including their
own theories, widely accepted ideas, and “ancient wisdom.”
1
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, Ch. 2 (pgs. 23-48)- Sources of information: Why Research is Best & How to Find it
comparison group
A group in an experiment whose levels on the independent variable differ from those of the
treatment group in some intended and meaningful way. Also called comparison condition.
confound
A general term for a potential alternative explanation for a research finding; a threat to internal
validity.
probabilistic
Describing the empirical method, stating that science is intended to explain a certain proportion
(but not necessarily all) of the possible cases.
availability heuristic
A bias in intuition, in which people incorrectly estimate the frequency of something, relying
predominantly on instances that easily come to mind rather than using all possible evidence in
evaluating a conclusion.
present/present bias
A bias in intuition, in which people incorrectly estimate the relationship between an event and its
outcome, focusing on times the event and outcome are present, while failing to consider
evidence that is absent and harder to notice.
confirmation bias
The tendency to consider only the evidence that supports a hypothesis, including asking only
the questions that will lead to the expected answer.
bias blind spot
The tendency for people to think that compared to others, they themselves are less likely to
engage in biased reasoning.
empirical journal article
A scholarly article that reports for the first time the results of a research study.
review journal article
An article summarizing all the studies that have been published in one research area.
effect size
The magnitude, or strength, of a relationship between two or more variables.
meta-analysis
A way of mathematically averaging the effect sizes of all the studies that have tested the same
variables to see what conclusion that whole body of evidence supports.
Ch. 3 (pgs. x-x)- Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools
variable
An attribute that varies, having at least two levels, or values. See also dependent variable,
independent variable, manipulated variable, measured variable.
2
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evidence-based treatment
A psychotherapy technique whose effectiveness has been supported by empirical research.
empiricism
The use of verifiable evidence as the basis for conclusions; collecting data systematically and
using it to develop, support, or challenge a theory. Also called empirical method, empirical
research.
hypothesis
A statement of the specific result the researcher expects to observe from a particular study, if
the theory is accurate. Also called prediction.
replication
The process of conducting a study again to test whether the result is consistent.
applied research
Research whose goal is to find a solution to a particular real-world problem. See also basic
research, translational research.
basic research
Research whose goal is to enhance the general body of knowledge, without regard for direct
application to practical problems. See also applied research, translational research.
journal
A monthly or quarterly periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic
discipline or subdiscipline, written for a scholarly audience. Also called scientific journal.
falsifiable
A feature of a scientific theory, in which it is possible to collect data that will indicate that the
theory is wrong.
universalism
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientific claims are evaluated according to
their merit, independent of the researcher’s credentials or reputation. The same preestablished
criteria apply to all scientists and all research.
communality
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientific knowledge is created by a
community, and its findings belong to the community.
disinterestedness
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientists strive to discover the truth whatever
it is; they are not swayed by conviction, idealism, politics, or profit.
organized skepticism
One of Merton’s four scientific norms, stating that scientists question everything, including their
own theories, widely accepted ideas, and “ancient wisdom.”
1
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 11-14-2025 04:38:58 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251703177/Exam1-vocabdocx/
, Ch. 2 (pgs. 23-48)- Sources of information: Why Research is Best & How to Find it
comparison group
A group in an experiment whose levels on the independent variable differ from those of the
treatment group in some intended and meaningful way. Also called comparison condition.
confound
A general term for a potential alternative explanation for a research finding; a threat to internal
validity.
probabilistic
Describing the empirical method, stating that science is intended to explain a certain proportion
(but not necessarily all) of the possible cases.
availability heuristic
A bias in intuition, in which people incorrectly estimate the frequency of something, relying
predominantly on instances that easily come to mind rather than using all possible evidence in
evaluating a conclusion.
present/present bias
A bias in intuition, in which people incorrectly estimate the relationship between an event and its
outcome, focusing on times the event and outcome are present, while failing to consider
evidence that is absent and harder to notice.
confirmation bias
The tendency to consider only the evidence that supports a hypothesis, including asking only
the questions that will lead to the expected answer.
bias blind spot
The tendency for people to think that compared to others, they themselves are less likely to
engage in biased reasoning.
empirical journal article
A scholarly article that reports for the first time the results of a research study.
review journal article
An article summarizing all the studies that have been published in one research area.
effect size
The magnitude, or strength, of a relationship between two or more variables.
meta-analysis
A way of mathematically averaging the effect sizes of all the studies that have tested the same
variables to see what conclusion that whole body of evidence supports.
Ch. 3 (pgs. x-x)- Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools
variable
An attribute that varies, having at least two levels, or values. See also dependent variable,
independent variable, manipulated variable, measured variable.
2
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