AP Psych Intro and Research Methods #1

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes

Nature vs Nurture

How much psychology is affected by Nature (genes) or Nurture (Environment)

Natural selection

Traits that aid survival get passed on

Neuroscience psychology

Body and Brain Processes

Evolution Psychology

survival of traits

Behavior Genetics Psychology

Genes vs environment differences

Physcodynamic psychology

Behavior comes from unconscious drives and conflicts

Behavioral psychology

Behavior is learned through experiences, rewards, and punishments

Cognitive Psychology

How we think, remember and process information

Social-cultural psychology

How other people shape culture and behavior

Research Goal of basic research

Gain basic knowledge about the brain

Research Goal of Applied Research

Solving real world problems that affect many

Research Goal of clinical psychology

diagnosing and treating disorders

Research Goal of psychiatry

Medical doctors treating disorders

Hindsight Bias

“I knew it all along”

Critical thinking

Analyzing why, not just accepting

Theory

explains and predicts the why

Hypothesis

testable predictions that can be tested

operational definition

How variables are measured

Replication

Repeat study to confirm results

Case Study

In-depth examination of one person or group, often used for rare phenomena.

Survey

Self-report data collected from a large sample, often for correlational studies

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in a natural setting without interference.

Experimental Methods

The only method that determines cause-and-effect by manipulating independent variables (IV) and measuring dependent variables (DV) while controlling for confounding variables. Requires random assignment to experimental (receives treatment) and control (receives placebo/no treatment) groups.

Correlational Study

Measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, ranging from to (no relationship is 0). Correlation does not equal causation

Correlation coefficient

Strength/direction of relationship

scatterplot

visual graph of correlation

illusory correlation

seeing a relationship that is not present

Experiment

manipulating variables

control

A group or person with no treatment/effect to determine if results are significant

Random assignment

Random Group placement

Independent variable

what is manipulated

Dependent Variable

What is measured

Mode

Most common score

Mean

Average Score

Median

Middle Score

Range

Difference of the highest and lowest score

Standard deviation

spread of a data point

statistical significance

results unlikely due to chance

Culture

Shared beliefs, behaviors, and traditions

Informed Consent

Participants must know what they’re agreeing to; purpose, procedures, risks, MUST BE VOLUNTARY

Voluntary Participation

People choose to participate without pressure

Right to Withdraw

Participants can leave at any time; without penalty or consequences

Protection from Harm

Participants must not be exposed to significant physical or psychological harm

Confidentiality

Personal data must be kept private

Deception

Researchers can mislead participants only if necessary; must not cause harm, must be justified

Debriefing

After the study, participants must be told the truth; explain deception, Answer questions, Restore emotional state

Animal Research Ethics

Humane treatment, Minimize pain, Clear Scientific purpose