Psychology Research Methods and Genetics Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering core psychological research concepts, variables, correlation, genetics, and action potential principles.

Operational definition

Something specific, measurable, and observable that applies to everyone.

Wording effects

The concept of how specific word choice can change how people feel about or answer a question.

Population

The general group being studied.

Sample

The specific group selected from a population.

Correlational Research

A method used to look at the relationship between 2 variables to examine whether 2 variables are related and how strongly they are associated.

Positive correlation

A correlation where variables move in the same direction.

Negative correlation

A correlation where variables move in different directions.

Dependent variable

The variable that stays the same or is being observed.

Independent variable

The variable that can be changed or manipulated.

Control group

The group in an experiment that is not manipulated.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that is being manipulated.

Range of reaction

Asserts that our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with our genes to determine where within those boundaries we will fall.

"All or nothing" principle

The principle stating that action potential communicates on such that if the magnitude of an incoming electrical signal in a neuron is doubled, the action potential will undergo no changes.