Chapter 1: Psychology in Your Life

Psychology

The scientific study of mental activity and behavior, which are based on brain processes.

Empircism

An evidence-based approach to gaining knowledge by conducting research that systematically investigates and measures phenomena of interest.

Science of Learning

Research in psychology and other fields that suggests how you can improve your study skills, learning, and academic performance.

Critical Thinking

Systematically evaluating information to reach conclusions based on the evidence that is presented.

Domains of Psychology

The five interconnected areas of empirical research in modern psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental and physical health domains.

Diversity

Any difference between people that becomes apparent in a specific context.

Culture

The beliefs, values, rules, and customs that exist within a group of people who share a common language and environment, which are transmitted through learning from one generation to the next.

Ethics

Accepted standards of right and wrong that guide people's behavior.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Group of people responsible for reviewing proposed research to ensure that it meets the accepted ethical standards of science and provides for participants' physical and emotional well-being.

Scientific Method

A continuous five-step process that allows systematic observation and measurement of phenomena to reach one or more scientific goals.

Theory

A series of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is observed in research and that makes predictions about future events.

Replication

Repetition of a research study to confirm or contradict results.

Descriptive Methods

Research methods that provide a systematic and objective snapshot of what is occurring at a certain point in time.

Correlational Methods

Research method that examine how variables are naturally related in the real world without altering the variables and without revealing whether one factor causes changes in another.

Experimental Methods

Research methods that can reveal causality by manipulating independent variables and measuring the effects on dependent variables.

Independent Variable

In an experiment, the variable that the experimenter manipulates to examine its impact on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

In an experiment, the variable that is measured to determine how it was affected by the manipulation of the independent variable.

Control Group

In an experiment, a group of participants that receives either no treatment or a baseline manipulation that is expected to have little or no impact; this group serves as a comparison to the experimental group.

Experimental Group

In an experiment, one or more groups of participants that experience the treatment of interest based on manipulation of the independent variable.

Random Sample

A sample of participants that fairly represents the population because each member of the population has an equal chance of being included.

Random Assignment

Placing research participants into the conditions of an experiment in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any level of the independent variable.