Psych 9 Weeks Test

Replication

Replication

Repeating a study's experiment to see if the same results can be consistently produced, verifying reliability.

Wording Effect

Changes in how a question is phrased can influence responses in surveys or experiments

Random Sample

A subset of individuals chosen from a larger set where every individual has an equal chance of being selected

Representative Sample

A group that reflects the larger population from which it’s drawn in terms of characteristics

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after an event has happened, that “we knew it all along”

Operational definition

A clear, detailed definition of how variables are measured or defined in a study

Correlation

A relationship between two variables, where changes in one variable are associated with changes in another.

Positive Correlation

When both variables increase or decrease together.

Correlation Coefficient

A numerical value (from -1 to +1) that indicates the strength and direction of a correlation.

Single-Blind

Participants don’t know which group (control or experimental) they are in.

Double-Blind

Both participants and experimenters don’t know which group participants are in, to avoid bias.

Standard Deviation Percents

In a normal distribution, about 68% of values fall within 1 standard deviation, 95% within 2, and 99.7% within 3.

Humanistic

Focuses on personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Biological

Examines the influence of biology (genes, neurotransmitters, etc.) on behavior.

Behavioral

Studies observable behavior and the effects of learning (e.g., rewards, punishments).

Psychodynamic

Focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.

Evolutionary

Looks at how natural selection has shaped behavior.

Sociocultural

Examines how culture and social contexts influence behavior.

Cognitive

Studies mental processes such as memory, thinking, and problem-solving.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Effect on Neurons/Neurotransmitters

MS damages the myelin sheath of neurons, disrupting nerve signal transmission. This affects movement, sensation, and cognitive function.

Reflex Arc

The pathway through which a reflex occurs, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses in the brain and body.

Norepinephrine

Involved in arousal and alertness.

Acetylcholine

Important for muscle movement and memory.

Glutamate

The main excitatory neurotransmitter, crucial for learning and memory.

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing neural activity to prevent overexcitement.

Endorphins

Involved in pain relief and pleasure.

Dopamine

Linked to pleasure, reward, and motor control.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron after transmitting a neural impulse.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain; responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control.

Gate-Control Theory

The idea that the spinal cord contains a "gate" that either blocks pain signals or allows them to pass to the brain.

Opponent Process Theory

A color vision theory stating that certain color pairs (e.g., red-green, blue-yellow) are processed in opposition

Trichromatic Theory

Suggests that there are three types of color receptors (cones) in the eye sensitive to red, green, and blue.

Pitch

The perception of the frequency of sound waves; higher frequency means higher pitch.

Perceptual Set

A predisposition to perceive things in a certain way based on expectations, experiences, or context

Law of Effect

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, while behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Weber’s Law

The principle that the just-noticeable difference between two stimuli is proportional to the magnitude of the stimuli.

Availability Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind.

Representative Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of something based on how well it matches a prototype.

Long-Term Potentiation

The process by which synaptic connections are strengthened over time, which is believed to be a basis for learning and memory.

Proactive Interference

When older information interferes with the recall of newer information.

Retroactive Interference

When new information interferes with the recall of older information.

Retrograde Amnesia

Loss of memories from before the onset of amnesia.

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to form new memories after the onset of amnesia.

Procedural Memory

Memory for skills and tasks (e.g., riding a bike).

Episodic Memory

Memory for personal experiences and events