Studied by 3 people
Psychology
Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Biopsychosocial approach
Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors.
Random sample
Selection method ensuring every individual has equal chance.
Current perspectives
Various viewpoints in psychology's understanding of behavior.
Random assignment
Participants randomly allocated to groups for experiments.
Biological perspective
Focuses on genetics and physiological processes.
Evolutionary perspective
Studies behavior through the lens of natural selection.
Behavior Genetics
Examines influence of genetics on behavior.
Experimental group
Group exposed to treatment in an experiment.
Control group
Group not exposed to treatment for comparison.
Independent variable
Manipulated factor in an experiment to test effects.
Cognitive perspective
Focuses on mental processes like thinking and memory.
Humanistic perspective
Emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.
Sociocultural perspective
Examines how culture influences behavior.
Dependent variable
Measured outcome in an experiment affected by independent variable.
Confounding variable
Extraneous factor that may affect experiment results.
Placebo
Inactive treatment used to compare against active treatment.
Cognitive biases
Systematic patterns of deviation from norm in judgment.
Single-blind
Participants unaware of group assignment in study.
Double-blind
Both participants and researchers unaware of group assignments.
Ethics
Moral principles guiding research conduct.
Informed consent
Participants must be fully informed before agreeing.
Scientific method
Systematic process for investigating phenomena.
Theory
Well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the world.
Hypothesis
Testable prediction derived from a theory.
Operational definition
Specific explanation of abstract concepts in measurable terms.
Replication
Repetition of a study to confirm findings.
Generalizability
Extent to which findings apply to broader populations.
Naturalistic Observation
Studying behavior in natural environments without manipulation.
Correlational research
Examines relationships between variables without manipulation.
Measures of central tendency
Statistical measures including mean, median, and mode.
Mean
Average value calculated by summing data points.
Median
Middle value in a sorted list of numbers.
Mode
Most frequently occurring value in a dataset.
Positive correlation
Both variables increase or decrease together.
Negative correlation
One variable increases while the other decreases.
Scatterplot
Graphical representation of correlation between two variables.
Correlation coefficient
Numerical index of the strength and direction of relationship.
Standard deviation
Measure of data dispersion around the mean.
Case study
In-depth analysis of an individual or group.
Meta-analysis
Statistical analysis combining results from multiple studies.
Survey
Method for collecting data from a large group.
Structured interview
Standardized format for gathering qualitative data.
Population
Entire group from which samples may be drawn.
Sample
Subset of a population used for research.
Representative sample
Sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population.
Stratified sample
Population divided into subgroups for sampling.
Experimental research
Investigates cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation.
Statistical significance
Likelihood that a result is not due to chance.
Percentile rank
Percentage of scores below a particular score.
Oxytocin
Hormone associated with bonding and social behaviors.
Psychoactive drugs
Substances affecting mental processes and behavior.
Agonists
Substances that enhance neurotransmitter activity.
Antagonists
Substances that inhibit neurotransmitter activity.
Reuptake inhibitors
Drugs that block neurotransmitter reabsorption.
Twin studies
Research comparing similarities between identical and fraternal twins.
Adoption studies
Research examining similarities between adopted individuals and their families.
Family studies
Research assessing traits among family members.
Central Nervous System
Comprises the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System
Nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
Neuron
Basic unit of the nervous system.
Brain stem
Controls basic life functions like breathing.
Glial cell
Supportive cells in the nervous system.
Reflex arc
Pathway for reflex actions.
Medulla
Controls autonomic functions like heart rate.
Reticular activating system
Regulates wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.
Cerebellum
Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
Limbic system
Involved in emotion and memory.
Neural transmission
Process of sending signals between neurons.
All-or-nothing principle
Neuron fires completely or not at all.
Depolarization
Change in a neuron's membrane potential.
Refractory period
Recovery phase after neuron fires.
Resting potential
Neurons' stable, inactive state.
Reuptake
Process of neurotransmitter reabsorption by neurons.
Threshold
Minimum stimulus required to trigger a response.
Corpus callosum
Connects the brain's left and right hemispheres.
Cerebral cortex
Outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers transmitting signals across synapses.
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Increase likelihood of neuron firing.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Decrease likelihood of neuron firing.
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
Serotonin
Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
Norepinephrine
Involved in arousal and alertness.
Glutamate
Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
GABA
Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Endorphins
Natural painkillers released during stress or pain.
Substance P
Neurotransmitter involved in pain perception.
Adrenaline
Hormone that prepares the body for fight-or-flight.
Brain plasticity
Brain's ability to reorganize and adapt.
EEG
Measures electrical activity of the brain.
fMRI
Measures brain activity by detecting blood flow.
Circadian rhythm
Biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycles.
NREM sleep
Non-rapid eye movement sleep stages.
REM sleep
Rapid eye movement sleep associated with dreaming.
Sleep stages
Different phases of sleep cycle.
Insomnia
Difficulty in falling or staying asleep.
Narcolepsy
Disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleep apnea
Breathing interruptions during sleep.
Somnambulism
Sleepwalking during deep sleep.
Absolute threshold
Minimum stimulus needed for detection.
