SA1 Psychology

Psychology

"Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes."

Empirical Approach

Relying on observation as a means of data collection in scientific investigations.

Behaviour

Everything that can be registered, including overt actions, gestures, facial expressions, verbal responses, and endocrine reactions.

Mental Processes

Invisible psychological activities such as attention, perception, memory, and thinking that cannot be directly observed.

Construct

Any theoretically defined variable (e.g., violence, memory, anxiety, attraction) constructed based on theory.

Operationalization

Expressing a theoretical construct in terms of observable behaviour to make it measurable in research.

Research

The creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, and understandings.

Quantitative Research

Research using numerical data to establish universally applicable laws (nomothetic approach) describing behaviour across large groups.

Qualitative Research

Research using textual data (transcripts, observational notes) to achieve an in-depth understanding of experiences and meanings (idiographic approach).

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable expected to change as a result of manipulating the independent variable.

Control Group

The group of participants that does not receive the experimental treatment/manipulation, providing a baseline comparison.

Independent Measures Design

An experimental design involving random allocation of participants into different groups (e.g., experimental vs. control) for comparison.

Matched Pairs Design

An experimental design where participants are paired based on specific matching variables before being assigned to different groups.

Repeated Measures Design

An experimental design where the exact same participants take part in every condition of the experiment.

Counterbalancing

A technique used in repeated measures designs to eliminate order effects by reversing the sequence of conditions for different participant groups.

Validity

The accuracy of a measurement or the extent to which a test truly measures what it is intended to measure.

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement across repeated trials under identical conditions.

Construct Validity

Refers to how well an operationalized test or instrument measures the theoretical concept it is intended to assess.

Internal Validity

The extent to which a study can establish a true causal relationship between the IV and DV without interference from confounding variables.

External Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized beyond the study (includes population and ecological validity).

Population Validity

The extent to which findings can be generalized from the sample group to the broader target population.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which findings can be generalized from a controlled laboratory environment to real-world settings.

Confounding Variable

An extraneous variable that influences both the IV and DV, creating false associations and causing bias.

Demand Characteristics

A threat to internal validity where participants guess the study's purpose and unconsciously alter their behaviour to fit it.

Double-Blind Design

A research setup where neither the participants nor the experimenters know who receives the treatment until the study ends (prevents experimenter bias).

Target Population

The entire group of individuals to which the results of a research study are intended to be generalized.

Sample

The specific subset of individuals selected from the target population to take part in the study.

Representativeness

When a sample accurately reflects all the essential characteristics of the overall target population.

Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.

Stratified Sampling

A probability sampling technique where participants are selected to reflect the exact proportions of key characteristics found in the target population.

Purposive Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where participants are selected based on predetermined criteria, without strict sample proportions.

Theoretical Sampling

A form of purposive sampling where data collection continues until data saturation is reached (no new information emerges).

Data Saturation

The point in qualitative research where adding new participants yields no new information or insights regarding the theoretical model.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where participants are chosen simply because they are easily available and accessible.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where initial participants refer or recruit other eligible acquaintances to join the study.

Volunteer Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where participants self-select or volunteer to participate in response to an invitation.