Introduction to Psychology Revision Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the Biopsychosocial model, research methods, SHE strands, statistics, and influential experiments in Psychology.

Biopsychosocial Model

A framework for understanding human behavior by analyzing three levels of explanation: biological, psychological, and social factors.

Communication and Collaboration

A strand of Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) stating that science is a global enterprise relying on clear communication, international conventions, and review and verification of results.

Influence

A strand of SHE where psychological knowledge and application are both influenced by and influence economic, sociocultural, religious, ideological, political, and environmental perspectives.

Development and Application

A strand of SHE where developments in research and technology lead to advances in psychological understanding, enabling scientists to develop solutions and evaluate responses to various factors.

Qualitative Data

Data that describes qualities or characteristics, often collected through open-ended responses or discussion groups.

Quantitative Data

Data that can be measured or expressed numerically, allowing for statistical analysis.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is changed or manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment to see if it changes in response to the independent variable.

Experimental Group

The group of participants in an investigation who are exposed to the independent variable or treatment being studied.

Control Group

The group of participants that does not receive the treatment, used as a baseline to compare against the experimental group.

Random Allocation

A technique used in experiments where participants are assigned to different groups by chance to ensure groups are equivalent at the start.

Extraneous Variables

Variables other than the independent variable that may cause unwanted changes in the dependent variable.

Participant Variables

A type of extraneous variable related to individual characteristics of participants, such as age, personality, or intelligence.

Situational Variables

A type of extraneous variable related to the environment or experimental setting, such as noise, temperature, or time of day.

Experimenter Effects

A type of extraneous variable where the researcher's personal characteristics or behaviors influence the participants' responses.

Quantitative Observational Design

A research design where the researcher observes and records quantitative data without manipulating the independent variable, often due to ethical or practical reasons.

Delphi Technique

A qualitative research method that uses a series of questionnaires sent to a group of experts to reach a consensus on a specific topic.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure; a researcher ensures this by seeing if the same results are produced under the same conditions.

Validity

The accuracy of a measure; the extent to which a study actually measures what it intended to measure.

External Validity

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other people, settings, or times.

Internal Validity

The degree to which the results of an investigation are actually due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not extraneous factors.

Unrepresentative Sample

A sample that does not accurately reflect the characteristics of the larger population from which it was drawn.

Objective Data

Factual information that can be observed and measured independently of personal opinion, such as heart rate or test scores.

Subjective Data

Information based on personal opinions, feelings, perceptions, or points of view.

Mean

A measure of central tendency calculated by adding all scores and dividing by the total number of scores ($n$).

Median

The middle score in a distribution of data when the scores are arranged in order from lowest to highest.

Standard Deviation

A measure of variability that indicates how much scores in a data set vary from the mean; Class A has a standard deviation of $1$ while Class B has $8$.

Normal Distribution

A symmetrical, bell-shaped graph where most scores fall near the mean and fewer scores fall at the extremes.

Skewed Distribution

A distribution where the data is not symmetrical and the curve is shifted to one side.

Ivan Pavlov (1899)

Researcher known for the Salivating Dogs Experiment, contributing to the understanding of classical conditioning.

Watson & Rayner (1920)

Researchers who conducted the Little Albert Experiment to study emotional conditioning.

Bandura (1961)

Researcher who conducted the Bobo Doll Experiment to study observational learning and aggression.

Milgram (1974)

Researcher who conducted studies on Obedience to Authority, exploring how individuals respond to orders from an authority figure.

Asch (1951)

Researcher known for the Conformity Experiment, exploring how individuals yield to group pressure.

Zimbardo (1971)

Researcher who conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment to study the psychological effects of perceived power and social roles.

Harlow (1963)

Researcher known for the Monkey Experiment, which investigated attachment and the importance of contact comfort.

Gibson & Walk (1960)

Researchers who used the Visual Cliff to study depth perception in infants and animals.

Jane Elliott (1968)

Educator known for the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise to teach about prejudice and discrimination.

Sherif (1954)

Researcher who conducted the Robbers Cave experiment to study intergroup conflict and cooperation.

Festinger (1957)

Researcher who developed the theory of Cognitive Dissonance, exploring the tension caused by inconsistent beliefs or behaviors.