Master Set-AP Psych Vocab

Survey

A non-experimental technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes and behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Naturalistic Observation

A non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Variable

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

Placebo effect

Experimental results based by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition which the recipient assumes is an active agent

Independent Variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Environment

Every nongenetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Normal Curve (Normal Distribution)

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (abt 68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Inferential statistics

Numerical data that allow one to generalize-to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Genes

The biochemical units of heredity

Genome

The complete instructions for making an organism

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

Individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in 2, creating two genetically identical organisms

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but they shared a prenatal environment

Informed Consent

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Debriefing

The post-experimental explanation of a study; including its purpose and any deceptions to its participants

Dependent Variable

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

Validity

The extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Quantitative Research

Research method that relies on quantifiable numerical data

Meta-analysis

A procedure for statistically combining the results of many different research studies to reach an overall conclusion

Behavior genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environment on behavior

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Natural Selection

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variation, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Natural-Nurture Issue

The long standing controversy over the relative contribution that genes and experiences make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.

Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

Effect Size

Strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The bigger the effect size, the more one variable can be explained by the other

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Statistical Significance

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance, assuming there is no difference between the proportions being studied

Mean

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores then dividing by the number of scores

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation

Mode

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Skewed Distribution

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Median

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Histogram

A bar graph depicting frequency distribution

Percentile Rank

The percentage of scores below a specific score in a distribution

Control Group

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Population

All those in group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental processes

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Single-blind procedure

An experimental procedure in which the research participants are unaware of, or blind to, the types of treatment they are receiving, but the administrator knows

Illusory Correlation

Perceiving a relationship where none exists, Or perceiving a strong than actual relationship

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Random Sample/Selection

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

Sampling Bias (Selection Bias)

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Self-report Bias

Bias when people report their behavior inaccurately

Social Desirability Bias

The bias from people’s responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes

Peer Reviewers

Scientific experts who evaluate a research articles theory, originality, and accuracy

Regression Toward the Mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back (regress) toward their average

Experimental Group

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Critical Thinking

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assess conclusions

Operational Definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study

Falsifiable

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Theory

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Confounding Variable

In an experiment, a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect and influence the study’s results

Double-Blind Procedure

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Scatter-plot

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of 2 variables

Case Study

A non-experimental technique in which one individual or group studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to the other participants and circumstances

Experimenter Bias

A phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained

heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perception and mood

Substance use disorder

Disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow bodily functions

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same does of a drug, requiring the use to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

Addiction

An every day term for compulsive substance use (and sometimes for dysfunctional behavior patterns, such as out-of-control gambling) that continue despite harmful consequences

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug or behavior

Barbiturate

Drugs that depress the central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

Opioids

Opium and its derivatives, they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions

Hallucinogen

Psychedelic (“mind manifesting”) drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Near-Death Experience

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Cognitive Neuroscience

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Blindsight

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Parallel Processing

The processing of multiple aspects of a stimulus or problem simultaneously

Sequential processing

Processing one aspect of a problem at a time; generally used to process new information or to save difficult problems

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness-as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation

Circadian rhythm

The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep rage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxes (except minor twitches) but other body systems are active

Alpha waves

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, aware state

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Hypnagogic Sensations

Bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

Delta Waves

The large slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder uncharacterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

A sleep disturbance in which the mechanism responsible for paralyzing the body during REM sleep is not functioning, resulting in the acting out of dreams

Dream

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

REM Rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Belief Perseverance

Persistence of one’s initial conceptions, such as when the basis for one’s belief is discredited but an explanation of why the belief might be true survives

General Intelligence

According to Spearman and others underlies all mental abilities and is therefore measured by every task on an intelligence test

Framing

The way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decision and judgements

Catt-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory

The theory that our intelligence is based on g as well as specified abilities, bridged by GP and Gc

Achievement Test

A test designed to assess what a person has learned

Flynn Effect

The rise in intelligence test performance over time and across cultures