Psychological Perspectives and Research Methods

This set of flashcards covers key psychological perspectives and research methods essential for understanding psychology concepts and preparing for exams.

Humanist Perspective

Focuses on personal growth and potential, emphasizing free will in behavior choices.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Looks at unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences as influences on behavior, emphasizing conflicts between id, ego, and superego.

Biological Perspective

Explains behavior in terms of biological processes including genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters.

Evolutionary Perspective

Examines thoughts and actions in terms of natural selection and survival advantages.

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors and the effects of conditioning through reinforcement or punishment.

Cognitive Perspective

Studies how thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations influence behavior.

Sociocultural Perspective

Considers how culture impacts thoughts and behaviors and how they vary among different cultures.

Eclectic Perspective

Combines multiple psychological perspectives to understand human thought and behavior.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction that expresses a relationship between two variables.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment, which is expected to change in response to the independent variable.

Operational Definition

A clear explanation of how a variable will be measured in an experiment.

Random Sampling

A sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Confounding Variable

A variable that could affect the dependent variable, introducing a potential error in the experiment.

Placebo Effect

The phenomenon where participants experience effects purely because they believe they are receiving treatment.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength of a relationship between two variables.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistical methods that summarize and describe the characteristics of a data set.

Inferential Statistics

Statistical methods used to draw conclusions about a population based on data from a sample.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met.

Informed Consent

The process of informing participants about a study's purpose, procedures, and risks before obtaining their agreement to participate.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the true nature and purpose of a study after its completion.