Studied by 7 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Behavioral psychology
The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning
Behaviorism
The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes
Biological psychology
The scientific study of how the brain and nervous system influence mental processes (learning) and behavior.
Biopsychosocial approach
An approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints
Bimodal distribution
A distribution with two different modes, or peaks. This indicates that there are two different values (or ranges of values) that appear more frequently than others in the dataset
Case study
A descriptive technique in which one individual/ group is studied in-depth to explore complex issues
Cognitive psychology
The study of mental processes, including perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and learning.
Confounding variable
A factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results
Convenience sample
Participants are selected based on their availability and proximity to the researcher, rather than being randomly chosen
Control group
In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
Correlation coefficient
A statistical index of the relationship between two things (from −1.00 to +1.00)
Debriefing
The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
Dependent variable
In an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
Descriptive statistics
Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation
Double-blind procedure
An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies
Evolutionary psychology
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
Experimental group
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Falsifiability
The principle that for a scientific hypothesis/theory to be valid, it must be testable and capable of being proven false
Gambler's Fallacy
A cognitive bias that occurs when someone believes that the probability of a random event is influenced by previous outcomes. For example, if a coin is flipped and lands on heads several times in a row, a person might erroneously believe that tails are "due" to occur next, even though each flip is independent and the probability remains the same
Hindsight bias
The tendency to believe, after an event has occurred, that one would have predicted the outcome
Human factors psychology
Focuses on how people and machines interact, used to create/improve products
Humanistic psychology
Evaluates an individual as whole, emphasizes their unique identity, and believes that everyone can reach their full potential
Hypothesis
A testable prediction
Illusory correlation
Perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship
Independent variable
In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
Inferential statistics
Numerical data that allow one to generalize—to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population
Informed consent
Participants are informed about the purpose, procedures, and risks of a study before agreeing
Likert Scale
Used in surveys to measure people's attitudes/opinions, consisting of a series of statements to which respondents indicate their level of agreement, usually ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"
Mean
The arithmetic average of a distribution
Median
The middle score in a distribution
Meta-analysis
A procedure for statistically combining the results of many different research studies
Mode
The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
Natural selection
Organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring with similar traits
Naturalistic observation
A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulating/controlling the environment
Normal curve
A symmetrical curve representing the distribution of data, where most of the data points cluster around the mean, with fewer data points further away from the mean in either direction
Operational definition
Tells how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study
Placebo effect
An effect on behavior caused by an inert substance, which the recipient assumes is an active agent
Population
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
Practical significance
The real-world importance/relevance of a research finding. Even if a result is statistically significant (such as being unlikely to have occurred by chance), it might not be practically significant if the effect size is too small to matter in real-life applications
Psychodynamic psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior
Quantitative
Data that can be measured and expressed numerically
Qualitative
Non-numerical data collected to understand individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
Random assignment
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups
Random sample
A sample that is representative of a population because each member has an equal chance of being selected
Range
The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Replication
Repeating a study, usually with different participants/situations to see if the original finding can be consistently reproduced
Sampling bias
A flaw in the sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample
Scatterplot
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation)
Self Report Bias
The inaccuracies that occur when individuals provide data about themselves, due to memory errors or misunderstanding questions
Skewed distribution
A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value
Social Desirability Bias
Occurs when participants in a study respond in a way that they believe will be viewed favorably by others, distorting the validity of data
Standard deviation
A measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Statistical significance
A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
Survey
A descriptive technique for obtaining the attitudes/behaviors of a group, by questioning a random sample of the group
Third variable
When an unaccounted-for variable influences both variables being studied, which may create a false appearance of a direct relationship between them
Directionality problem
The difficulty in determining which variable causes the other in a correlational relationship (does A cause B, or does B cause A)
