UNIT ONE Psychology Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from psychology, focusing on theories, perspectives, research methods, and ethical considerations.

Natural Selection

Survival of organisms best suited to their environment.

Functionalism

Focused on the functions of the mind and behavior.

Structuralism

Used introspection to explore the structure of the mind.

Humanism

Emphasized healthy growth potential, free will, and self-actualization.

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory focusing on unconscious motives and childhood experiences.

Cognitive Psychology

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

Behaviorism

Focus on observable behavior, reinforcement, and punishment.

Social-Cultural Perspective

Examines how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures.

Biological Perspective

Examines links between biology (brain, genetics, hormones) and behavior.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Modern version of Freud’s psychoanalysis, focused on unconscious motives.

Positive Psychology

Focuses on human flourishing and strengths.

Testing Effect

Enhanced memory after actively retrieving information.

Case Study

In-depth study of a single person or group.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in natural environments.

Survey

Self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a group.

Operational Definition

Carefully worded statement of exact research procedures.

Reliability

Consistency of measurement.

Validity

Accuracy; measures what it is intended to measure.

Confounding Variables

Factors other than independent variable that may influence results.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation shows a relationship, not causation.

Statistical Significance

Likelihood results are not due to chance.

Wilhelm Wundt

Established first psychology lab, introspection.

William James

Functionalism, stream of consciousness.

Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalysis, unconscious motives.

John Locke

Tabula rasa (blank slate).

John B. Watson

Behaviorism.

Ivan Pavlov

Classical conditioning.

Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychology.

Evolutionary Perspective

Traits/behaviors survive because they aid survival.

Cognitive Perspective

Encoding, processing, storing, and retrieval of info.

Humanistic Perspective

Self-growth, fulfillment, free will.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Unconscious drives, childhood experiences.

Social-Cultural Perspective

Influence of society, peers, and culture.

Biological Perspective

Genetics, brain structures, hormones, neurotransmitters.

Behavioral Perspective

Learned behaviors via reinforcement and punishment.

Random Assignment

Minimizes confounding variables.

Independent Variable (IV)

Manipulated factor.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Outcome factor measured.

Correlation

Positive (variables increase together), Negative (one increases, other decreases).

Standard Deviation

Measure of dispersion; low = consistency, high = spread out.

Mean, Median, Mode

Measures of central tendency.

Range

Difference between highest and lowest.

Informed Consent

Participants must be informed and agree.

Confidentiality

Keep data private.

Protection from Harm

Participants must be safe.

Debriefing

Explain study after completion.