Chapter 3 Glossary

In alphabetical order

 

dependent variable (dependent measure): the participant's response that is measured by the researcher and is expected to be influenced by the independent variable.  (p. 88)

double-blind technique:  strategy for improving construct validity that involves making sure that neither the participant nor the researcher who has direct contact with the participant knows what treatment the participant has received. (p. 78)

functional relationship:  the extent to which changes in one variable are accompanied by another. For example, the graph of a functional relationship may find that beyond a certain point, increasing the amount of the treatment does not lead to additional improvement (p. 100)

hypothesis:  a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. (p. 80)

independent variable: a treatment (an intervention or manipulation of a factor) that you administer more of to some participants than to others. (p. 88)

mediating (mediator) variable:  when a stimulus causes a response, it does so by changing something inside the organism (such as a person's thoughts, feelings, or physiological reactions). In other words, the stimulus has its effect because it causes changes in mediating variables, which, in turn, cause changes in behavior. Because knowing the mediating variables leads to understanding how a stimulus causes an effect (i.e., the way something works), researchers are often interested in tracking down mediating variables. For example, not only have researchers found that smelling a certain fragrance (stimulus) improves performance on a task (response), but they have also tried to find the underlying mechanisms (the mediating variables) responsible for the fragrance's effect. Some have used brain imaging techniques to look for physiological mediators; others have used questionnaires to try to see if the fragrance has its effect on behavior by changing mood. (p. 91)

moderator (moderating) variable:  a variable that intensifies, weakens, or reverses the relationship between two other variables. For example, the effect of wearing perfume on being liked may be moderated by gender: If you are a woman, wearing perfume may make you more liked; if you are a man, wearing perfume may make you less liked. (p. 79)

null hypothesis:  a prediction that there is no relationship between your variables. (p. 81)

theory: a set of principles that explain existing research findings and can be used to make new predictions that can lead to new research findings; an organized set of hypotheses.   Note that, when thinking about a theory, you should take the time to understand what the theory states. Too often, people attack or test a straw theory: an exaggerated or oversimplified view (a cartoon version) of the real theory. (p. 82)

 


Grouped by topic

 

hypothesis:  a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. (p. 80)

null hypothesis:  a prediction that there is no relationship between your variables. (p. 81)

theory: a set of principles that explain existing research findings and can be used to make new predictions that can lead to new research findings; an organized set of hypotheses.   Note that, when thinking about a theory, you should take the time to understand what the theory states. Too often, people attack or test a straw theory: an exaggerated or oversimplified view (a cartoon version) of the real theory. (p. 82)

 

independent variable: a treatment (an intervention or manipulation of a factor) that you administer more of to some participants than to others. (p. 88)

dependent variable (dependent measure): the participant's response that is measured by the researcher and is expected to be influenced by the independent variable.  (p. 88)

 

mediating (mediator) variable:  when a stimulus causes a response, it does so by changing something inside the organism (such as a person's thoughts, feelings, or physiological reactions). In other words, the stimulus has its effect because it causes changes in mediating variables, which, in turn, cause changes in behavior. Because knowing the mediating variables leads to understanding how a stimulus causes an effect (i.e., the way something works), researchers are often interested in tracking down mediating variables. For example, not only have researchers found that smelling a certain fragrance (stimulus) improves performance on a task (response), but they have also tried to find the underlying mechanisms (the mediating variables) responsible for the fragrance's effect. Some have used brain imaging techniques to look for physiological mediators; others have used questionnaires to try to see if the fragrance has its effect on behavior by changing mood. (p. 91)

moderator (moderating)variable:  a variable that intensifies, weakens, or reverses the relationship between two other variables. For example, the effect of wearing perfume on being liked may be moderated by gender: If you are a woman, wearing perfume may make you more liked; if you are a man, wearing perfume may make you less liked. (p. 79)

 

functional relationship:  the extent to which changes in one variable are accompanied by another. For example, the graph of a functional relationship may find that beyond a certain point, increasing the amount of the treatment does not lead to additional improvement (p. 100)

 

double-blind technique:  strategy for improving construct validity that involves making sure that neither the participant nor the researcher who has direct contact with the participant knows what treatment the participant has received. (p. 78)