Psychology AS level paper 2 - 2023

you'll pass your exam with an a*

interview

face to face conversations (can take place via phone/social media)

unstructured interview

an informal conversation which gains natural responses and puts interviewee at ease

semi-structured interview

a conversation containing pre-determined questions and casual conversation

structured interview

a conversation with pre-determined questions, it is not natural

open questions (questionnaire)

questions that allow respondent to answer in any way they like (qualitative)

closed questions (questionnaire)

questions that allow respondent to answer from. a list of responses (qualitative/quantitative data)

psychometric test

a questionnaire which produces a score to measure a psychological characteristic (eg. iq test)

researcher effects

influences that might spoil the outcome of the self-report process

random sampling

gives every member of the targeted group an equal chance of being selected

systematic samplinng

a systematic method for choosing a target group (eg. every fourth person from the list is chosen etc)

stratified sampling

the sample divides the target group into sections, each showing a key characteristic, each group is sampled individually, and the final sample should contain members from each characteristic in a proportion representative of the population

opportunity sampling

participants who are accessible and willing to take part in targeted study

volunteer sampling

the sample consists of people who have volunteered to be in the study

Informed consent

researchers need to obtain an informed consent form from the participants, which informs them about the process of the study, potential harms, and how participants will benefit from it

Debrief

after the study, process, outcome, and aim of the study should be discussed in detail with the participant

confidentiality

once the researchers gain the data from participants, it should only be used for research purposes

withdrawal

researchers must ensure that the participant is explicitly told they have the right to withdraw at any given time during the study

right to remain anonymous

all participants have the right to remain anonymous after research is released

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A structural scan used to find abnormalities in the brain. It looks at brain tissues. Picks up radio waves, a strong magnetic field is passed over the body

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Same scanning technique as MRI, different analysis. fMRI scans measures the amount of oxygen in the blood in different parts of the brain. Measures brain activity

Postiron Emission Tomography (PET)

Measures activity, involves the injection of a radioactive tracer into the bloodstream with glucose or water to go where the blood flows. The signals from the postirons are recorded so levels of activity in the brain can be detected

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* participants are scanned when… inactive (to produce baseline measure)
* when performing an activity

Electrophalogramme (EEG)

Electrodes are placed on the scalp, and record activity in the brain; the more electrodes placed, the more detailed the information collected is. Electrodes are fitted to a cap and placed on patients head with conductive gel.

Activity is displayed in brain waves

* amplitude: brain intensity
* frequency: speed of activation

Event-related Potential (ERP)

Same apparatus and technique as EEG. Records when there is an activity in reaction to a stimulus , the stimulus is presented many times.

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Provides data using statistical averaging

Electroretinogramme (ERG)

a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to a light stimulus. The ERG arises from currents generated directly by retinal neurons in combination with contributions from retinal glia.

Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT)

Technique uses an x-ray beam to produce a picture of the brain that shows the physiology of the brain. Not a moving picture but can show the lesions on the brain

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Records the signals from gamma rays using two or more synchronised gamma cameras, and the multiple 2-D images are computed, tomographically reconstructed, to 3-D. Tracing blood flow within the brain identifies where metabolic activity is occurring, enabling assessment of brain functions

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

Diffusion tensor imaging is a type of diffusion MRI used so that functions in the brain may be observed as they occur, The restricted diffusion of water through the brain tissue under examination is measured; it is often used to image white matter.

The magnetic field variations of the MRI magnet are applied in at least six different directions, which makes it possible to calculate for each pixel, a tensor that describes this diffusion anisotropy.

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT)

Non-invasive imaging technique in which near-infrared light is used to probe the interior of the brain to record oxygenation and other physiological changes.

Computerised tomography (CT)

Uses X-rays to show the structure of the brain, with details such as blood perfusion. A CT scan may reveal underdeveloped parts of the brain or sites of injury from impact, tumours, lesions or infection.

* Tracer injection may be required to highlight blood

vessels