Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods

Vocabulary flashcards covering core introductory psychology concepts, research methods, ethics, correlations, and neural anatomy based on lecture notes.

Psychology

The study of the human mind and behavior.

Empirical Method

The processes of collecting and organizing data and drawing conclusions about those data used by all scientists.

Scientific Method

A set of assumptions, rules, and procedures used to conduct empirical research.

Biological Level of Explanation

A level of explanation focused on genetic predisposition.

Psychological Level of Explanation

A level of explanation focused on intrapersonal factors (within ourselves).

Social Level of Explanation

A level of explanation focused on interpersonal factors (between ourselves and others).

Cultural Level of Explanation

A level of explanation focused on cultural and religious factors.

Ethical Principles

A code of conduct in research that includes Beneficence and nonmaleficence, Fidelity and responsibility, Integrity, Justice, and Respect for people's rights and dignity.

William Wundt

Known as the Father of Psychology who brought modern psychology into existence in 1879.

Nature vs. Natural

Nature refers to natural happenings, whereas Natural refers to gained experiences.

Basic Research

Research that answers fundamental questions about behavior.

Applied Research

Research that investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems.

Peer Review

A process in which research articles submitted for publication are reviewed, often anonymously, by others doing research in the same area.

Data

Any information collected through formal observation or measurement.

Scientific Method Cycle

A continuous empirical cycle linking Observations, Theory, and Hypothesis.

Theory

An integrated set of principles that explains and predicts many, but not all, observed relationships within a particular area.

Deception

Occurs whenever research participants are not completely and fully informed about the nature of the research project before participating in it.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee of at least five members whose goal is to determine the cost-benefit ratio of research conducted within an institution.

Informed Consent

A procedure conducted before a participant begins a research session, designed to explain the research procedures and inform the participant of their rights during the study.

Debriefing

A procedure designed to fully explain the purposes and procedures of the research and remove any harmful aftereffects of participation.

Descriptive Research Design

A research design aimed at describing how things are right now.

Correlational Research Design

A research design aimed at observing the relationships between two or more variables.

Experimental Research Design

A research design aimed at determining if changes to one variable cause changes to another variable.

Case Study

The use of multiple sources of data to gain a better understanding of a person, a group, or an event.

Population

All the people that the researcher wishes to know about.

Random Sample

The people randomly chosen to participate in a survey or research project.

Positive Correlation

A relationship between variables where both increase together, such as places of worship and crimes per month.

Negative Correlation

A relationship where one variable increases as the other decreases, such as stress level and quality of health.

Zero Correlation

A relationship where there is no linear association between two variables, such as U.S. spending on science, space, and technology versus precipitation in Louisiana.

Possible Causal Directions

The concept in correlational research that variable A could cause variable B, or variable B could cause variable A.

Third Variable

An unmeasured variable (such as loneliness) that causes both of the observed variables (such as happiness and TV watching).

Independent Variable

The causing variable in an experiment that is created (manipulated) by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

A measured variable in an experiment that is expected to be influenced by the experimental manipulation.

Random Assignment

An experimental procedure where each participant is randomly assigned to a condition.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The nervous system structure made up of the brain and the spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The neurons that link the CNS to our skin, muscles, and glands.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that send signals from the body to the brain, enabling sensations such as feeling an itch on the nose.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that send signals from the brain to the muscles, enabling movements such as scratching a nose.

Interneurons

Neurons that allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other.

Cell Body (Soma)

The part of the neuron containing the nucleus of the cell.

Dendrites

Branching treelike fibers which collect information from other cells and send it to the cell body.

Axon

A segmented fiber which transmits information away from the cell body toward other neurons or to muscles and glands.

Myelin Sheath

A layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that allows faster transmission of the electrical signal.

Terminal Buttons

Structures located at the branched ends of axons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other.

Synapse

The space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.

Reuptake

The process in which neurotransmitters in the synapse are carried by transporters back into the transmitting axon terminal, ready to be released again after the neuron fires.

Human Behavior and consioness

Much of human behavior is caused by factors outside of our conscious awareness