Unit 0 AP Psychology Final Exam

Hindsight bias

Believing you knew something after it has already happened. “Knew-it-all-along“

Informed consent

Participants agree to research after knowing its nature.

Experiment

A method where variables are manipulated to observe effects.

Independent vs. dependent variable

 Independent is manipulated; dependent is measured.

Operational definition

Exact explanation of how variables are measured.

Control group vs. experimental group

Control gets no treatment; experimental gets the treatment.

Correlational study scatterplot

Graph showing relationship between two variables.

Correlation coefficient

Numeric measure of how strongly two variables are related.

Positive vs. negative correlation

Both increase/decrease together vs. one increases while the other decreases.

Mean

The average value.

Median

The middle number in a data set

Confidentiality

Protecting personal information of participants.

Skewed distribution

Data distribution that's not symmetrical

Generalization

Applying results to a broader population.

Random selection

Every person has an equal chance of being chosen.

Behavioral

Emphasizes observable behavior and learning

Sociocultural

Focuses on societal and cultural influences.

Humanisti

Stresses personal growth and free will

Evolutionary

Behavior explained by survival and reproduction.

Debriefing

Explaining study details post-participation.

Internal vs. external locus of control

Belief in self-control vs. external fate.

Gratitude

Appreciation that boosts well-being.

DSM-5

Manual for diagnosing mental disorders.

Panic disorder

Sudden intense fear with physical symptoms.

Diathesis-stress model

Mental illness arises from genetic risk and stress

Bipolar disorder

Mood swings between mania and depression.

Applied behavioral analysis

Using learning principles to change behavior.

Stereotype

Oversimplified belief about a group.

Central route persuasion

Using logic and arguments.

Peripheral route persuasion

Using superficial cues.

Homeostasis

Maintaining internal balance.

Conscientiousness

Being organized and responsible.

Cognitive dissonance

Mental tension from conflicting beliefs.

Defense mechanisms

Unconscious ways to reduce anxiety.

Halo effect

One trait influences overall impression.

Stereotype threat

Fear of confirming a stereotype.

Fundamental attribution error

Blaming personality over situation for others’ behavior.

Continuous vs. discontinuous development

Gradual vs. stage-like changes

Authoritative parenting style

Warm but firm parenting.

Habituation

Decreasing response to repeated stimulus.

Law of Effects

Behaviors followed by rewards are more likely.

Latent learning

Learning that becomes obvious later.

Scaffolding

Temporary help to aid learning.

Piaget’s stages of cognitive development

Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete, Formal stages.

Conservation

Quantity stays the same despite shape change.

Classical conditioning

Learning via associations.

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Natural response to a stimulus.

Observational learning

Learning by watching others.

Babbling

Repetitive speech-like sounds in infants.

Generativity vs. stagnation

Giving back vs. feeling unproductive in middle age.