Psych Exam Revision

Aim

What a researcher is interested in investigating in their study, purpose of the research

Hypothesis

Identifies cause and effect relationship between 2 variables

Variable

A person, place, phenomenon or thing that is being measured in some way: 5 different types

Independent Variable

What is modified to change the results

Dependent Variable

What changes because of the Independent Variable

Controlled Variable

Variable which must remain constant so as not to interfere with the Dependent Variable

Extraneous Variable

Any variable that you're not investigating that can potentially affect the outcomes of your research study, many different types.

Confounding Variable

Extraneous variable which influences both the supposed cause and the supposed effect

Participant-Related Variable

Extraneous variable which refers to any characteristic of a participant’s background that could affect study results

Situational Variable

Extraneous factors in the environment that can unintentionally affect the results of a study

Order Effects

When participants' responses are affected by the order of conditions to which they were exposed

Experimenter Effect

The extraneous influence exerted by the experimenter's expectations or other characteristics on the results of an experiment

Controlled Experiment

Experiment where the conditions for two groups are kept the same with the exception of one variable factor

Psychological Development

The changes in an individual’s social, emotional and cognitive abilities throughout the lifespan

Biopsychosocial Model

Model which looks at the interconnection between the social, psychological and biological factors on one’s life

Maturation

Changes in thinking, sense of responsibility, and better ability to adjust to successfully address daily issues.

Neurons

Basic working unit of the brain: designed to transmit information from the brain to the body and vice-versa via electrical pulses.

Motor Neurons

Neurons in the brain/spinal cord responsible for coordinating movement, tend to have longer axons.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons which carry sensory information to the brain

Interneuron

Any neuron which transmits impulses between other neurons

Synapse

Junction between two nerve cells, small gap over which electronic/chemical transmissions pass over

Synaptic Pruning

Brain eliminates extra synapses

Myelination

Refers to formation of Myelin Sheath around a nerve for better conduction

Synaptogenesis

Refers to the formation of synapses, the points of contact where information is transmitted between neurons

Gut-Brain Axis

Refers to the physical and chemical connections between your gut and brain

Can Voldemort Win If Dumbledore Dies: Ethical Considerations

Confidentiality

Voluntary Participation

Withdrawal Rights

Informed Consent

Deception

Debriefing

Kinds of Experimental Designs

* Independent
* Matched-Participant
* Repeated Measures

Independent Design

Experimental design whereby two groups are exposed to different experimental conditions

Matched-Participant Design

Experimental design wherein study participants are matched based on key variables, or shared characteristics, relevant to the topic of the study

Repeated-Measures Design

Experimental design that involves multiple measures of the same variable taken on the same or matched subjects either under different conditions or over two or more time periods

Piaget Stages

1. Sensorimotor (0-2 Yrs)
2. Pre-Operational (2-7 Yrs)
3. Concrete Operational (7-12 Yrs)
4. Formal Operational (12+ Yrs)

Sensorimotor Achievements

* Object Permanence
* Goal-Oriented Behaviours

Pre-Operational Achievements

* Symbolic Thinking
* Egocentrism
* Animism
* Transformation

Concrete Operational Achievements

* Conservation
* Reversibility
* Classification

Formal Operational Achievements

* Abstract Thought
* Hypothetical Deductive Reasoning

MAGICISI: Erikson Stages

1. Mistrust vs Trust
2. Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt
3. Guilt vs Initiative
4. Industry vs Inferiority
5. Confusion vs Identity
6. Intimacy vs Isolation
7. Stagnation vs Generativity
8. Integrity vs Despair

Kohlberg’s Moral Development Stages

1. Punishment and Obedience (Childhood)
2. Naive Reward (Childhood)
3. Interpersonal Conformity (Good boy/girl) (Adolescence/Adult)
4. Authority and Social Order (Adolescence/Adult)
5. Social Contract (Some Adults)
6. Universal Ethics and Individual Principles (Few Adults)

Secure Attachment

Distressed when caregiver leaves, avoidant of the stranger, satisfied when they come back

Insecure-Avoidant

No distress when caregiver leaves, fine with the stranger, shows little interest when they return

Insecure-Resistant

Intense distress when caregiver leaves, avoids/is scared of the stranger, approaches them when they return but resists contact

Disorganised Attachment

Behaviours are scattered and inconsistent

Dendrites

Receive information from other neurons

Axon Terminals

Holds neurotransmitters which send signals to the dendrites of other neurons

Myelin

Fatty protein which insulates the axons, ensures faster connectivity and protection

Spatial Neglect

Attention disorder where a person cannot notice anything on their left or right field of vision (Damage often to right parietal)

Neurodiversity

Idea that every human has a unique nervous system with different combinations of abilities/needs

Adaptive

Describes emotions/behaviours/cognitions that enable us to adapt to our environment effectively

Maladaptive

Describes emotions/behaviours/cognitions that interfere with our ability to adapt to our environment effectively

Pseudoscience

Proposition, finding or system of explanation that is presented as science but that lacks the credibility linked with the scientific method

Emotional Development

Changes in how a person experiences, interprets and expresses emotions and their ability to cope with them effectively

Social Development

Change over time in an individual's understanding of, attitudes concerning, and behavior toward others