Psyc

What is everyday reasoning?

Basing beliefs on personal experiences, opinions, or stories.

What is scientific reasoning?

Uses a structured, systematic process to reach conclusions.

What is inductive reasoning?

Starts with specific observations and draws a general conclusion.

What is deductive reasoning?

Starts with general principles and applies them to specific cases.

What does falsifiability mean in science?

A claim is scientific only if it can be proven wrong with evidence.

What is empiricism?

Learning about the world through observation and experience.

What is dogmatism?

Refusing to change beliefs despite contrary evidence.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Develop a theory, create a hypothesis, test it by collecting evidence.

What is an operational definition?

Turning a concept into something measurable.

What does construct validity refer to?

How well your measurement represents what you intended to study.

What is reliability in measurement?

The consistency of results every time.

What is power in measurement?

The ability to detect what is actually happening.

What are demand characteristics?

Changes in behavior due to knowing one is being observed.

What is observer bias?

When a researcher's expectations influence their observations.

What is the difference between population and sample?

Population is the whole group, while a sample is a smaller group taken from it.

What are descriptive statistics?

Summarizations of data such as averages and graphs.

What is a correlation coefficient (r)?

A measure showing how two variables move together.

What is the goal of an experiment in psychology?

To determine if one thing causes another.

What is the null hypothesis (H₀)?

The hypothesis proposing no effect or relationship.

What is significance related to p-value?

A p-value less than .05 indicates statistical significance.

What is internal validity?

Confidence that the independent variable caused the observed effect.

What is respect for persons in research ethics?

The principle that individuals have the right to make their own choices.

What does the replacement principle in animal research mean?

No alternative to using animals should be found.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses.

What is an agonist in relation to neurotransmitters?

A drug that increases the action of a neurotransmitter.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Activates the body for action (fight or flight).

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Controls coordination, balance, and motor learning.

What are the four lobes of the brain?

Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal.