Big Ideas

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Describe

Goal of Psych; what behavior or mental process occurred.

Explain

Goal of Psych; why a behavior or mental process occurred.

Predict

Goal of Psych; to identify when and under what conditions a future behavior or mental process is likely to occur.

Change

Goal of Psych; to apply psychological knowledge to bring about desired goals.

Nature and Nurture

Theme; both genes and environment make us who we are. But genes operate in a complex interplay with life and experiences.

The Self and the Situation

Theme; degree to which individual attributes (self) or circumstances (situation) determine behavior

The Conscious and the Unconscious

Theme; degree to which our thoughts and actions are in our awareness

Specialization and Association

Theme; the human brain is specialized, with different sections adapted for different purposes. But it also creates a single continuous experience.

The Unusual and the "Normal"

Theme; unusual, rare and bizarre instances - from brain injuries to disorders to perception puzzles to paranormal experiences - help to explain "normal" experience

The Owner's Manual

Theme; practical advice to use the Brain more effectively

Scientific Method

The cyclical and cumulative research process used for gathering and interpreting objective information in a way that minimizes error and yields dependable results.

Experiment

Controlled scientific procedure that involves the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated to determine its causal effect on the dependent variable. (The THING changing)

Dependent Variable

Variable that is measured for change.

Experimental Group

The group that is manipulated in an experiment.(the PEOPLE experiencing the change)

Control / Comparison Group

The group that is not manipulated in an experiment or that experiences a variation in independent variable.

Experimenter Bias

The idea that the researcher’s expectation may consciously or unconsciously affect results

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's culture is typical of all cultures; also, viewing one's own ethnic group as central and "correct" and judging others according to this standard.

Sample Bias

A bias that may occur when research participants are unrepresentative of the larger population.

Participant Bias

Bias that can occur when experimental conditions influence the participant's behavior or mental processes.

Double-blind study

An experimental technique in which someone stands in for the researcher and the participants are unaware of who is in the experimental or control groups.(reduces experimenter bias)

Placebo

In a study, a variation in the independent variable that accounts for the effects that the belief of participants may have on outcomes (reduces participant bias)

Random or Representative Assignment

A research technique that involves using change to assign participants to experimental or control conditions, thus minimizing the possibility of biases of preexisting differences in the group (reduces sample bias)

Descriptive Research

Research that focuses on observing, collecting, and recording data.

Naturalistic Observation

The process of observing and recording a research participant's behavior and mental processes in his or her natural setting, without interfering.

Survey

A research technique that questions a large sample of people to access their behaviors and mental processes.

Case Study

An in-depth study of a single research participant or small group of individuals.

Positive, Negative and Zero Correlation

In a positive correlation the variables move in identical directions, while in a negative correlation the variables move in inverse directions. A zero correlation is a lack of any relationship between variables.

Correlation Coefficient

A number from -1 to +1 that indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.

Correlation-Causation Problem

Correlation does not imply causation. In statistics, many statistical tests calculate correlations between variables and when two variables are found to be correlated, it is tempting to assume that this shows that one variable causes the other.

Validity

A study measures what it is supposed to measure and defines variables properly

Reliability

Study measures and results stand up to repetition

Mean

Average

Standard Deviation

A quantity calculated to indicate the extent of deviation for a group as a whole.

Normal Distribution

Symmetrical bell-shaped graph that is often found to represent frequency of human characteristics

Statistically Significant

A statement of how likely it is that a study's result did not occur merely by chance

Biological Research

The application of the principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals.

Ethics

Rules of conduct established by the American Psychological Association for carrying out research.

Informed Consent

Ethical rule; a participant's agreement to take part in a study after being told what to expect.

Deception

Ethical rule; (limited) lying to or misleading a participant for the purpose of a study.

Debriefing

Ethical rule; a discussion procedure conducted at the end of an experiment or study; participants are informed of the study's design and purpose, possible misconceptions are clarified, questions answered, and explanations are provided for any possible deception.

Confidentiality

Ethical rule; information between a patient and a therapist or about experimental subjects cannot be shared with anyone.

Psychodynamic Psychology

A psychological approach that emphasizes unconscious causes of behavior, thoughts and problems

Behaviorism

Emphasizes objective, observable environmental influences on observable behavior. Focuses on rewards and punishments.

Social Psychology

Studies social relationships and interactions, including influence, friendship, group dynamics and prejudice.

Cognitive Psychology

Emphasizes thinking, perceptions, problem solving, memory, language, and information processing.

Neuroscience

Studies genetics and biological processes, including brainstructures and neurotransmitters

Humanistic Psychology

Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and human nature as naturally positive and growth-seeking.

Evolutionary Psychology

Emphasizes natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior and mental processes.

Cultural Psychology

Emphasizes cultural determinants of behavior