For the AAQ

Biological

• Thoughts emotions + behaviors stem from biological processes

• Brain’s structure + function

• Genes, hormones, + neurotransmitters

Evolutionary

• Natural selection (psychological traits aiding survival passed down to future generations)

• Broader view than biological

Cognitive

• How we interpret, process, + remember events

• Thought process shapes behavior

• Key theorist Jean Pioget (how thinking evolves overtime)

Humanistic

• Individual choice + free will

• Decisions are influenced by phycological, emotional, + spiritual needs

• Unconditional positive regard, self actualization, + personal growth

Psychodynamic

• Unconscious mind controls much of our thoughts + behaviors

• Focus on childhood experiences affecting personality and behavior

• Emphasizes the role of unconscious, UNRESOLVED conflicts in shaping behavior

Behavioral

• Observable behaviors + responses to stimuli

• Conditioning through rewards + punishments

• Relies on measurable data + observable changes in behavior (most scientifically testable)

Sociocultural

• How cultural norms affect thoughts + behaviors

• Lev Vyygotsky's theories on social interaction

Biopsychosocial

• Combines biological, psychological, and social factors to understand human behavior.

Naturalistic Observation

A research method involving observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulation or interference, providing insights into behavior as it occurs naturally.

Case Study

A case study/in depth study of a person, group or event that can be a helpful research tool

• Helpful at looking at unique situations

• Allow researchers to gather a lot of info abt a specific individual/group so that info can be generalized to many

Experimental Method

Used to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating one variable and observing the effect on another variable

• Involves random assignment + controlled conditions to minimize confounding variables.

Operational Definitions

Definition of a variable in a precise terms of how it is to be measured

• Allows others to replicate a study

• Measuerable

• Replicable

• Specific

Meta Analysis

Study of past studies on a subject that can give researchers a big picture view of the topic

• A researcher reviews the published studies on a topic + then analyzes all the results to look for trends

• Do this study when there have been previous studies looking at the same question

Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Committees responsible for reviewing + approving research proposals to ensure they meet ethical standards + protect the rights + welfare of research participants

• Composed of a diverse group of professionals

  • Researchers, ethicists, + community members

Informed Consent

Individuals voluntarily agree to participate in a research study after being provided w/comprehensive info abt the study’s purpose + their rights as participants

• An agreement given by adults who are legally able to make decisions for themselves

Informed Assent

Involves research w/children or individuals who have limited decision making abilities

• Often accompanied by informed consent from a legally authorized representative who provides permission for the individual to participate

Confidentiality

Requires researchers to handle sensitive data + personal info obtained during study to protect the privacy of participants and ensure their information is kept secure.

Deception

Misleading participants abt the true purpose of the study

• Sometimes necessary to achieve research objectives

Debriefing

Participants are informed about the true nature of a study after their involvement, including any deceptions used and the reasons for them, ensuring they leave without any misunderstandings.

Research Method Nemonic

• Excellent (Experiment)

• Cooks (Correlation)

• Can (Case Study)

• Make (Meta-Analysis)

• Nachos (Naturalistic Observation)

Content Info Nemoic

• I (Informed Consent/Assent)

• Do (Debriefing)

• Care (Confidentiality)

• About (Anonymity)

• Research (IRB

• Participants (Protection from Harm)