AP Psychology Test 1 Definitions

ap psychology test 1 vocab

Critical thinking

Thinking that examines assumptions, appraises sources, discerns biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions rather than automatically accepting arguments.

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it; also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.

Peer reviewers

Scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy.

Theory

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction often implied by a theory.

Operational definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study.

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced.

Case study

A non-experimental technique studying one individual or group in depth to reveal universal principles.

Naturalistic observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulation.

Survey

A non-experimental technique for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors from a representative sample.

Social desirability bias

Bias from people responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes.

Self-report bias

Bias when people inaccurately report their behavior.

Sampling bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

Random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Population

All those in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn.

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and how well either predicts the other.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things, ranging from −1.00 to +1.00.

Variable

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure.

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots representing the values of two variables, indicating the direction and strength of their relationship.

Illusory correlation

Perceiving a relationship where none exists or a stronger-than-actual relationship.

Regression toward the mean

The tendency for extreme scores or events to fall back toward the average.

Experiment

A research method where an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe effects on behavior or mental processes.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment exposed to the treatment or one version of the independent variable.

Control group

The group not exposed to the treatment, serving as a comparison for evaluating the treatment's effect.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance to minimize preexisting differences.

Single-blind procedure

An experimental procedure where participants are unaware of whether they received the treatment or a placebo.

Double-blind procedure

An experimental procedure where both participants and research staff are unaware of who received the treatment or a placebo.

Placebo effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone, influenced by the administration of an inert substance.

Independent variable

The factor manipulated in an experiment; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Confounding variable

A factor other than the one being studied that might influence a study’s results.

Experimenter bias

Bias caused when researchers unintentionally influence results to confirm their beliefs.

Dependent variable

The outcome measured in an experiment; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated.

Validity

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to.

Quantitative research

A research method that relies on quantifiable, numerical data.

Qualitative research

A research method that relies on in-depth, narrative data not translated into numbers.

Informed consent

Providing potential participants with enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether to participate.

Debriefing

The postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to participants.

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Cell body

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life-support center.

Dendrites

Branching extensions of a neuron that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body.

Axon

The segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Myelin sheath

A fatty tissue layer encasing the axons of some neurons, enabling faster transmission of neural impulses.

Glial cells (glia)

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; may also play a role in learning and memory.

Action potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a