Psychology Lecture Review Flashcards

This set of flashcards is designed to help review key terms and concepts from psychology lecture notes to aid in exam preparation.

Psychology

The study of behavior and mental processes in both humans and animals.

Empirical evidence

Information obtained through observation, experimentation, or measurement.

Evolutionary perspective

Applying the principles of evolution and natural selection to psychological phenomena.

Psychodynamic perspective

Emphasizes the influence of past experiences and the unconscious mind on behavior.

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors that are learned and influenced by the environment.

Cognitive perspective

Concentrates on mental processes such as memory, intelligence, and learning.

Humanistic perspective

Highlights the human capacity for growth, choice, and fulfillment.

Cultural perspective

Examines how society and culture shape behavior and cognition.

Biological perspective

Studies the influence of genetics and physiological processes on behavior.

Biopsychosocial approach

Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding behavior.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms existing beliefs.

Hindsight bias

The belief that one knew something would happen after the event has occurred.

Overconfidence

Having too much faith in one’s judgments or abilities.

Hypothesis

A specific prediction about the relationship between variables.

Falsifiable

A statement that can be tested and potentially proven false.

Peer review

The evaluation of research articles by experts in the field before publication.

Replication

Repeating a study to determine if the findings are consistent.

Altruism

The unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

Bystander effect

Increased likelihood of not helping a person in distress as the number of witnesses increases.

Diffusion of responsibility

The reduction of personal responsibility felt by individuals in a group.

Prosocial behavior

Actions intended to help others.

Social exchange theory

Altruism exists when the benefits to oneself outweigh the costs.

Social responsibility norm

The societal expectation that people should help others in need.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure or test over time.

Validity

The extent to which a study accurately measures what it intends to measure.

American Psychological Association (APA)

A leading professional organization promoting the field of psychology.

Methodology

Specific techniques used to collect data in research.

Quantitative data

Numerical information gathered from surveys or experiments.

Qualitative data

Information that provides deeper insights into complex topics through non-numerical methods.

Likert scale

A measurement tool used in surveys to assess attitudes or opinions.

Naturalistic observation

Research method where behavior is observed in a natural setting without intervention.

Case study

In-depth examination of a single individual, group, or phenomenon.

Correlation research

Method examining relationships between variables without manipulation.

Third Variable Problem

The possibility that an unmeasured variable influences the relationship between two variables.

Scatterplot

Visual representation displaying the relationship between two variables.

Correlation coefficient

Statistical measure quantifying the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.

Experimental psychology

Research investigating cause and effect relationships between variables.

Independent variable

The variable that a researcher manipulates in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured for changes in an experiment.

Confounding variable

An uncontrolled variable that may affect the dependent variable's results.

Operational definition

How a researcher defines and measures variables in a study.

Experimental group

Participants exposed to the independent variable in an experiment.

Control group

Participants not exposed to the independent variable, serving as a baseline for comparison.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to groups randomly to reduce bias.

Placebo effect

Improvement due to belief in the efficacy of a treatment, rather than the treatment itself.

Experimenter bias

Expectations of the researcher that may influence the study's outcome.

Single blind study

Participants unknowingly do not know which group they belong to during an experiment.

Double blind study

Neither participants nor researchers know which groups are receiving the treatment.

Sample

A subset of individuals selected from a larger population for study.

Representative sample

A sample that accurately reflects the demographic characteristics of the population.

Stratified sampling

Dividing a population into subgroups and randomly sampling from each subgroup.

Convenience sampling

Selecting participants based on their accessibility and availability.

Random sample

Every individual in a population has an equal chance of being selected.

Descriptive statistics

Numerical measures summarizing data characteristics.

Inferential statistics

Using sample data to make predictions or inferences about a larger population.

Measures of central tendency

Statistics that describe the center of a data set (mean, median, mode).

Mean

Average value of a set of data.

Median

Middle value in a data set when arranged in order.

Mode

Most frequently occurring value in a data set.

Range

Difference between highest and lowest values in a data set.

Normal curve

Distribution where most values cluster around the mean.

Positive skew

A distribution with a long tail on the right side.

Negative skew

A distribution with a long tail on the left side.

Standard deviation

A measure of how spread out numbers are in a data set.

Statistical significance

Likelihood that observed results are not due to chance.

P value

Probability that the results occurred by chance, often set at 0.05.

Meta-analysis

Statistics that synthesizes results from multiple studies on the same topic.

Institutional review board (IRB)

Committee reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met.

Informed consent

Agreement of participants to partake in research after being informed of the details.

Confidentiality

Ensuring participants' identities and responses are kept private.

Deception

Misleading participants about the true purpose of a study when necessary.

Debriefing

Informing participants of the true purpose of the study after completion.

Altruism

Unselfish concern for other people.

Ecological systems theory

Proposes that a child's development is influenced by multiple environmental systems.

Authoritarian parenting style

Strict parenting with high demands and low responsiveness.

Permissive parenting style

Warm and indulgent approach with few rules or expectations.

Authoritative parenting style

Balanced approach combining high expectations with warmth and support.

Secure attachment

Children feel confident their needs will be met by caregivers.

Avoidant attachment

Children are independent and avoid seeking comfort from caregivers.

Anxious attachment

Children are clingy and anxious about separation from caregivers.

Disorganized attachment

Inconsistent behaviors toward caregivers, often resulting from trauma.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Potentially traumatic events that can drastically affect health and well-being.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Mental health condition resulting from exposure to traumatic events.

Anxiety disorders

Characterized by excessive fear and anxiety leading to behavior disruptions.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive worry about everyday situations.

Specific phobia

Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Panic disorder

Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks leading to physical symptoms.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Depressive disorders

Persistent sad mood impacting daily functioning.

Bipolar disorder

A mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings.

Therapeutic alliance

The collaborative relationship between therapist and client.

Psychotropic medication

Medications affecting brain chemistry used for treating mental health disorders.

Antidepressants

Medications that increase neurotransmitters to improve mood.

Evidence-based interventions

Therapies grounded in scientific research to improve mental health outcomes.

Resilience

The ability to recover from difficulties and adapt positively to change.

Stressors

Events or conditions that challenge one's ability to cope.

Coping mechanisms

Strategies individuals use to manage stress.

Intrinsic motivation

Engaging in activities for their own sake.

Extrinsic motivation

Engaging in behavior for external rewards.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques for therapeutic outcomes.