Psych Logic Comp Exam

What is the independent variable (IV)?

The variable manipulated by the researcher.

What is the dependent variable (DV)?

The outcome measured to see effects of the IV.

What is internal validity?

How confidently a study claims IV caused DV changes.

What is external validity?

Generalizability of results.

What is random assignment?

Placing participants into groups by chance.

What is a confounding variable?

A factor other than the IV that affects the DV.

What is operationalization?

Defining variables in measurable terms.

Reliability vs validity?

Reliability = consistency; Validity = accuracy.

What is working memory?

Active system storing/manipulating information.

Capacity of working memory?

7 ± 2 items.

What is episodic memory?

Memory for personal events.

What is semantic memory?

Memory for facts and knowledge.

What is serial position effect?

Best recall for first and last items.

What is Stroop effect?

Interference when word meaning conflicts with ink color.

What is selective attention?

Focusing on one stimulus while ignoring others.

Continuous vs discontinuous development?

Continuous = gradual; discontinuous = stages.

Piaget’s preoperational stage?

Egocentrism, symbolic thought, no conservation.

What is attachment?

Bond between infant and caregiver.

Secure attachment?

Child uses caregiver as safe base.

Critical period?

Specific time needed for normal development.

Function of amygdala?

Emotional processing (fear).

Function of hippocampus?

Memory formation.

What is a neurotransmitter?

Chemical messenger between neurons.

Serotonin function?

Mood, sleep, appetite regulation.

Neuroplasticity?

Brain’s ability to change with experience.

Definition of psychological disorder?

Distress + dysfunction + deviance + impairment.

What does DSM provide?

Diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

What are cognitive distortions?

Biased and irrational thought patterns.

Exposure therapy?

Gradual exposure to reduce fear.

Diathesis-stress model?

Vulnerability + stress → disorder.

What is conformity?

Changing behavior to match group norms.

What is obedience?

Following orders from authority.

Cognitive dissonance?

Discomfort from inconsistent beliefs/behaviors.

Fundamental attribution error?

Overemphasizing personal factors for others’ behavior.

Bystander effect?

Less likely to help when others are present.

What is statistical significance?

Results were unlikely due by chance

• Effect exists—> but could be meaningless

• p<.05

• Influenced by sample size

• Is the effect real?

What is clinical significance?

The effect is large enough to make a real-world difference

• Effect matters

• Has practical/therapeutic value

• Influenced by effect magnititude

• Is the effect important?

What is the difference between statistically and clinically significant results?

Statistical= real effects?

Clinical= useful effects?

Cluster A personality disorders

• Paranoid personality disorder

• Schizoid personality disorder

• Schizotypical personality disorder

Cluster B personality disorders

• Antisocial personality disorder

• Borderline personality disorder

• Histrionic personality disorder

• Narcissistic personality disorder

Cluster C personality disorders

• Avoidant personality disorder

• Dependent personalit disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Odd or eccentric (which cluster?)

Cluster A

Dramatic or erratic (which cluster?)

Cluster B

Anxious or fearful (which cluster?)

Cluster C

Extremely depressed mood that lasts most of the day, everyday, for at least two weeks with at least four additional physical or cognitive symptoms

Major Depressive Episode

Elevated, expansive mood for at least one week

Manic episode

Dissociation of personality

DID

Recurrent episodes in which a person has sensations of unreality of one’s own body or surroundings

Depersonalization/Derealization disorder