Human Behavior Study Guide

Psychology

The study of behavior and mental process

Psychiatrist

• Medical doctor

• Can prescribe medication

• Treats patients with severe mental disorders

Behaviorism

A type of psych which only studies an organism’s behaviors (John Watson and B.F. Skinner were behaviorists)

Personality Psychology

Looks at how our personality is developed and what impacts that over time

Biological Psychology

Looks at the impact of our biology on the way we act, think, and behave

APA Ethical Guidlines

• Signed Consent & volunteers

• Confidentiality

• Experiments are not approved unless any potentially damaging effects can be eliminated or counteracted

Correlation Coefficient

Number that indicates the STRENGTH of the relationship between two variables

• A number between 1 and -1

• The closer the number to 1 or -1 the stronger the connection

• 0= no correlation

Naturalistic Observation

Observing someone or something in it’s natural area (without altering anything or changing anything)

Advantages:

• Easy to do

• Inexpensive

• Doesn’t need a specific place

Disadvantages:

• Hard to be invisible

• Not knowing why someone is doing something

• No cause and effect

Independant Variable

The variable being manipulated

Random Selection

When subjects are selected out of a population by computer or out of a hat

Placebo

Something that is in place of the independent variable

Double Blind Study

Neither the researcher or the subject know the group/s

John Watson

A Behaviorist

Survey (Research Method)

Advantage:

• quick, inexpensive

Disadvantage:

• Dishonest

• Questions

• No cause and effect

Case Studies (Research Method)

Advantage:

• Getting info

Disadvantage:

• Self fulfilling prophecy

Experimental (Research Method)

Advantage:

• Cause and effect

Disadvantage:

• Might not work

• Time

• Expensive

Behaviors

• Anything observable

• You can see & measure

• Ex: eating, running

Counseling Psychology

Treats people with milder social and emotional problems

Psychoanalysis

A type of psych that focuses on mental processes such as the unconscious mind (Sigmund Freud)

Developmental Psychology

Looks at how we develop during our lifespan from birth to death

Cognitive Psychology

Looks at the way we process information, problem solve, memory, and think

Positive Correlation

Variable moves in same direction (both increase or decrease) think multiplcation

Survey (Definition)

Data collection tool used together information about individuals

Experiment (Definition)

A method in which the investigator manipulates one or more independent variables to determine the effect/s on some behavior while controlling other relevant factors

Dependent Variable

The variable being looked at to see if it’s changed

Control Group

The group measure or getting placebo

Placebo Effect

When an improvement is observed, despite an individual receiving a placebo as opposed to active medical treatment; works because your mind expects the treatment to help so your body responds by releasing natural chemicals that ease your symptoms; can have a good effect (improving your health) and bad effect (worsen your health)

Single Blind Study

Only the researcher knows the group

B.F. Skinner

A behaviorist

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Ask questions and Form a Hypothesis

2. Identify the treatment and define turns

3. Choose subjects

4. Assign Subjects Randomly to Groups

5. Manipulate

6. Measure

7. Analyze the results using statistics

Mental Process

• You can’t see them

• Anything unobservable

• Ex: thinking, understanding, comprehension

Clinical Psychologist

Can diagnosis and treat patients with various mental disorders

Social Psychology

Looks at the way people act in groups and due to being with other people

Experimental Psychology

Looks at things that can be studied in a controlled setting, either laboratory or in nature, usually is sensation, perception , and motivation

Psychometrics

A group of researchers that develop assessments for measuring specific skils like IQ, personality, and learning

Negative Correlation

Variables move in opposite direction

Case-Study (Definition)

In depth study of an individual person or a small group

Hypothesis

A testable statement that predicts the relationship between two or more variables

Extraneous Variables

Other factors that can influence the dependant variable

Experimental Group

The group getting the independent variable

Self-Fufilling Prophecy

The idea that when we expect something to happen, it will actually come to pass

Sigmund Freud

Related to psychoanalysis

Debrief

Explaining the purpose and method of the experiment; asking the subjects their feelings about participating

Barnum Effect

Occurs when people believe that the general and vague statements about their personality or future are accurate and specific to them

What is one difference and similarity between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor while a psychologist counsels patients. A similarity is that both understand how the brain works and can treat mental illness with psychological treatments (talking treatments).

What is one difference and similarity between a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist?

A difference between a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist is that a clinical psychologist can diagnosis and treat patients with mental disorders while a counseling psychologist treats people with milder social and emotional problems. A similarity is that both help their clients navigate their world.

What is a mental process? What is the behavior?

Mental process you can’t see and it’s anything unobservable. Ex: thinking, understanding, comprehension. Behavior you can see & measure and anything observable. Ex: Eating, running

What are some differences between psychoanalysis & behaviorism?

Psychoanalysis focuses on mental processes and has to do with the mind while behaviorism focuses on an organism’s behaviors

Explain the 7 research areas

Social- Looks at the way people act in groups and due to being with other people

Personality- Looks at how our personality is developed and what impacts that over time

Developmental- Looks at how we develop our lifespan from birth to death

Experimental- Looks at things that can be studied in a controlled setting, either laboratory or in nature, usually in sensation, perception, and motivation

Biological- Looks at the impact of our biology on the way we act, think and behave

Cognitive- Looks at the way we process information, problem solve, memory, and think

Psychometrics- A group of researchers that develop assessments for measuring secific skills like IQ, personality, and learning

What are the 4 research methods?

1. Naturalistic Observations

2. Survey

3. Case Studies

4. Experimental Method

Which research method is used to determine a cause and effect relationship between variables?

Experimental Method

Which research methods are considered correlation methods?

Naturalistic observation, survey, and case studies

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the research methods?

Naturalistic Observations

• Advantages: easy to do, inexpensive, don’t need a specific place

• Disadvantages: hard to be invisible, not knowing why someone is doing something, no cause and effect

Survey

• Advantage: quick, inexpensive

• Disadvantage: dishonest, questions, no cause and effect

Case Studies

• Advantages: get info

• Disadvantages: self fulfilling prophecy

Experimental Method:

• Advantages: cause and effect

• Disadvantages: might not work, time, expensive

Explain the steps of the scientific method

1. Ask questions and form a hypothesis

2. Identify the treatment and define turns (IV, DI, Extraneous variables, and Placebo)

3. Choose subjects (random selection)

4. Assign subjects randomly to groups (experimental and control group)

5. Manipulate (Single blind, double blind, and no blind)

6. Measure (conduct the experiment)

7. Analyze the results using statistics

What are some rules in conducting research in an ethical manner? (APA guidelines)

Ethical Guidelines include:

• Signed consent & volunteers

• Confidentiality

• Experiments are not approved unless any potentially damaging effects can be eliminated or counteracted

What is the difference between a control group and a experimental group?

The difference between a control group and a experimental group is that the experimental group is the group getting the independent variable while the control group is the group measured or getting placebo

What is the difference between independent, dependent, and extraneous/cofounding variables?

The Independant variable is the variable being manipulated, the dependent variable is the variable being looked at to see if it’s changed, and the extraneous/cofounding variables are something that is in place of the independent variable

What is a self fulfilling prophecy?

The idea that when we expect something to happen, it will actually come to pass

What direction do variables move in a positive correlation?

Variables move in the same direction; either both increase or decrease

What direction do variables move in a negative correlation?

Variables move in opposite direction

What is a correlation coefficient and what would be considered a strong or weak correlation?

What is the placebo effect?

When people report real improvement after taking a fake or nonexistent treatment (a placebo)

What is the Barnum effect?

When people believe that the general and vague statements about their personality or future are accurate and specific to them

What is the difference between a single blind study and a double blind study? Which one is better and why?

A single blind study is when only the researcher knows the group and a double blind is when neither the researcher or subject know what group. Double blind is better as to ensure the experiment is done properly and without any bias/prejudice