Research Methods and Psychological Perspectives

These flashcards cover the key concepts, definitions, and psychological perspectives as highlighted in the lecture notes.

Descriptive Research

Research that provides a systematic examination of people's behaviors and characteristics.

Correlational Research

Research that examines the relationship between two or more variables.

Experimental Research

Research that manipulates an independent variable to determine its effect on a dependent variable.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in response to the manipulation of the independent variable.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment.

Random Assignment

The process of assigning participants to different groups in an experiment randomly.

Population

The entire group of individuals that researchers are interested in studying.

Sample

A subset of the population selected for participation in a study.

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Confounding Variable

An outside influence that changes the effect of a dependent and independent variable.

Operational Definition

A statement of the procedures used to define research variables.

Replication

The process of repeating a research study to see if the results are consistent.

Informed Consent

Participants' agreement to take part in a study based on a clear understanding of the risks and benefits.

Confidentiality

The principle that information shared by participants will not be disclosed.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the nature of the study and its results after it concludes.

Observer Bias

The tendency to see what one expects to see in a study.

Participant Bias

The tendency of participants to respond inaccurately due to awareness of being observed.

Placebo Effect

The phenomenon where participants experience improvements simply because they believe they are receiving treatment.

Sampling Bias

When a sample is not representative of the population from which it was drawn.

Biological Perspective

Focuses on the physiological bases of behavior in humans and animals.

Behavioral Perspective

Emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on the role of mental processes in determining behavior.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Stresses the influence of unconscious forces on human behavior.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes personal growth and the concept of self-actualization.

Evolutionary Perspective

Views behavior through the lens of evolutionary advantages.

Sociocultural Perspective

Focuses on the impact of social and cultural factors on behavior.

Broca’s Area

An area in the left frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

An area in the brain associated with language comprehension.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the CNS that connects it to the limbs and organs.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight'.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body down after a stressful event.

Limbic System

A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involved in emotions, memories, and arousal.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Action Potential

A change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle or nerve cell.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemical substances that affect the mental state.

Circadian Rhythm

The natural internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other bodily functions.

Dual Processing

The principle that our brains process information on two levels: conscious and unconscious.

Memory Types

Different forms of memory including episodic, semantic, and procedural memory.

Forgetting Curve

The decline of memory retention over time.