Module1&2-Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Anything an organism does.

Mind

Internal, subjective experiences inferred from behavior.

Empirical Research

Research that relies on observation and experimentation.

Prescientific Psychology

The study of psychological ideas in ancient Greece.

Socrates

Philosopher who believed the mind and body are distinct.

Plato

Philosopher who asserted that mental processes come from the brain.

Aristotle

Philosopher who believed that mental processes come from the heart.

Structuralism

An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structure of the human mind.

Functionalism

An early school of psychology focused on how mental processes and behaviors function.

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud's theory of the connection between the unconscious mind and conscious behavior.

Gestalt Psychology

The idea that the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Behaviorism

A perspective in psychology that focuses on observable behavior.

Humanism

A psychology perspective emphasizing the growth potential of healthy people.

Cognition

The awareness brought about by the process of thinking.

Biopsychosocial Approach

An integrated perspective that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Positive Correlation

A relationship where changes occur in the same direction for two variables.

Negative Correlation

A relationship where changes occur in opposite directions for two variables.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together.

Independent Variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The outcome factor that may change in response to manipulation of the independent variable.

Double-blind Procedure

An experimental procedure in which both participants and staff are unaware of critical aspects of the experiment.

Placebo Effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone, rather than the treatment.

Survey

A descriptive technique for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors through questioning.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulation.

Case Study

A descriptive technique in which one person is studied in depth to reveal universal principles.

Ethics in Research

Guidelines that protect the rights of research participants.

Informed Consent

Participants' agreement to participate in research after being fully informed of the potential risks.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the study's true nature after it has concluded.

Critical Thinking

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Replication

Repeating a research study to see if the basic finding can be reproduced.

Descriptive Research

Observing and recording behavior without manipulation.

Correlational Research

Detecting naturally occurring relationships without manipulating variables.

Experimental Research

Exploring cause and effect by manipulating one or more factors.

False Consensus Effect

The tendency to overestimate how much others share our beliefs and behaviors.

Behavioral Psychology

A perspective focused on how we learn observable responses.

Psychological Subfields

Various areas of research in psychology, including clinical, health, and social psychology.