Unit 1 Psych Review

Psychology

the study of behavior and mental processes

Wilhelm Wundt

created the first psychological laboratory, built in Germany

Sigmund Freud

considered the Father of Psychoanalysis, a therapy method that emphasizes unconscious motives and conflicts

Phrenology

the belief that different parts of the brain account for specific character and personality traits (Pseudoscience)

Nature vs Nurture Debate

age old controversy over the relative influences of genes and experiences in the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Nature

biological and genetics factors that influence a person’s traits (Ex: natural hair color, blood type, eye color)

Nuture

environmental factors that influence a person’s traits (Ex: accent, interests. culture)

Neuroscience

Focuses on how the body and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences

Behavioral

Focuses on how we learn observable responses

Cognitive

Focuses on how we encode, process, and retrieve information

Social-Culture

Focuses on how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures

Psychodynamic

Focuses on how behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts

Evolutionary

Focuses on how the natural selection of traits passed down from one generation to the next has prompted survival genes

empirical

based on observations or experiences

NOT Psychology

“Junk” Science, Astrology, Common Sense

Psyche

Soul/Mind

Twin Studies

used to study nature and nurture

psychologist

can’t give meds

psychiatrist

gives meds

Scientific Method

a step by step process used by psychologists to study human behavior and mental processes through empirical research

Hypothesis

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Descriptive Methods

research methods that observe and DESCRIBE the characteristics of the person or action being studied; 3 types

Case Studies

when one individual or group is studied in depth with the hope of revealing things true of all of us.

Naturalistic Observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to change or control the situation

Positive Correlation

when one variable increases, the other variable increases (same with decreasing) ^^

Negative Observation

when one variable increases, the other decreases ^v

causation

Correlation does not prove _____

Experiment

research method that allows researchers to control or manipulate the situation being studied

Independent Variable

the factor that is manipulated and whose effect is being studied in an experiment

Dependent Variable

the factor that is being measured and that depends on the independent variable in an experiment

Confounding Variable

a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results

Placebo

an inactive substance or condition used as a control in a study. Used to help understand the real effect of a new treatment

Wording Effects

Even subtle changes in the wording of survey questions can have dramatic effects on the responses

Population

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

Representative Sample

When conducting a survey, we want a small group of people who accurately represent the larger population

Random Sample

When conducting a survey, every member of the population we are studying should have an equal chance of inclusion.

Control Group

The group not exposed to the treatment in an experiment

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment in an experiment

Placebo Effect

A phenomenon in which a placebo produces results because the person expects the “treatment” to work

Single Blind Procedure

A procedure in which only the research staff know who has received the treatment/placebo in an experiment

Double Blind Procedure

A procedure in which both subjects and research staff are blind about who has received the treatment/placebo in an experiment

Replication

Running an experiment multiple times with different subjects and conditions to eliminate all bias.chance and to produce the best results

APA Ethics Code

1. Animals treated humanely

2. Get consent to participate (fully)

3. No harm and discomfort to participants

4. Keep info about participants confidential

5. Debrief participants fully after experiment

Stanley Milgram Obedience (Shock) Experiment

• Stanley Milgram

• people volunteered, “students'“ were to be shocked by the “teachers'“ by 400 v or less

• if questions were answered wrong, students were shocked (not actually)

• an experiment to see how far people will obey to a higher figure after Holocaust

• caused emotional distress, not fully consented

Stanford Prison Experiment

• Philip Zimbardo

• Roleplay of prisoners and guards

• Trying to see if they’ll adopt the behavior of the roles

• Guards become abusive, prisoners become obedient and distressed emotionally

William James

This psychologist/philosopher authored "Principles of Psychology" in 1890 which introduced psychology to the educated public

Mary Calkins

This psychologist became the first female president of the APA

John B. Watson

Classical Conditioning; behaviorism, conducted “Little Albert” experiment

B.F. Skinner

Operant conditioning; behaviorism, Conducted experiments with animals (pigeons and rats_

Random Assignment

when subjects are randomly assigned to control and experimental groups