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Structuralism
uses introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind
Functionalism
explored how mental and behavioral processes function
Behaviorism
the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science and (2) should study behavior without reference to mental processes
Humanistic psychology
emphasizes potential for humans to grow
Cognitive neuroscience
study of brain activity linked with cognition
Psychology
the science of behavior and mental processes
Nature-nurture issue
the debate over relative contribution between genetics vs. experience
Natural selection
the principle that the traits that contributing towards reproduction and survival will be passed down
Evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of the body and mind (natural selection)
Behavior genetics
study of power and limits of environmental influences
Culture
enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions passed down from one group of people to the next
Positive psychology
scientific study of human functioning-- primary goal is to help individuals thrive
Level of analysis
differing complementary views for analyzing any phenomenon
Biopsychosocial approach
integrated approach that involves biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis
Basic research
purse science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
Applied research
scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
Counseling psychology
assists people with problems in living and in achieving a greater well-being
Clinical psychology
studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders
Psychiatry
used by physicians who provide medical treatments and psychological therapy for psychological disorders
Community psychology
studies how people interact with social environments
Testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving information instead of rereading
SQ3R
study method with 5 steps-- Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review
Intuition
An effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought, as contrasted with explicit, conscious reasoning
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to believe, after learning a outcome, that one would have foreseen it (“I knew it all along!”)
Critical Thinking
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Theory
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors/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, usually with different participant and situations.
Case Study
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth.
Naturalistic Observation
A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations
Survey
A descriptive technique for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative random sample of the group.
Population
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.
Random Sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other.
Correlation Coefficient
A statistical index of the relationship between two things from -1.000 to +1.000
Scatterplot
A graphed cluster of dots, each representing the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggest the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation.
Regression toward the mean
The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to regress toward the average.
Experiment
An research method where a researcher manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect.
Experimental Group
The group exposed to the treatment, to one version of the independent variable.
Control Group
The group not exposed to the treatment, serves as a comparison for evaluating the effects of the treatment.
Random Assignment
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, minimizing differences.
Double-Blind Procedure
A procedure in which both the participants and staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug evaluation studies.
Placebo Effect
Experimental results caused by expectations alone; an effect on behavior caused by administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
Independent Variable
The factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
Dependent Variable
The outcome measured; a variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated.
Confounding Variable
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect.
Informed Consent
Giving potential participants information about a study, letting them choose to participate or not.
Debriefing
The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to participants.
Mean
the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores
Mode
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
Median
the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
Range
the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Standard Deviation
a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Normal Curve
a symmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes
Statistical Significance
a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
Note
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