AP Psych Unit 0- Science Practices

Perspectives

Different approaches to understanding psychology, including Biological, Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Socio-Cultural, Evolutionary, Behavioral, and Cognitive.

Biological

A psychological perspective that focuses on the physical and biological influences on behavior, including genetics and brain functioning.

Humanistic

This perspective emphasizes personal growth and the concept of self-actualization, highlighting individual agency and positive human potential.

Psychodynamic

A perspective that emphasizes unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality.

Socio-Cultural

An approach that examines how social and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.

Evolutionary

Focuses on how evolutionary principles such as natural selection influence human thinking and behavior.

Behavioral

A perspective that studies observable behavior and the impact of the environment as the key determinants of behavior.

Cognitive

An approach that focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Experimental Study

A research design that involves manipulating one or more independent variables to determine their effect on a dependent variable.

Case Study

An in-depth examination of an individual or a small group, often used to explore complex behaviors or phenomena.

Correlation Study

A research method used to determine if there is a relationship between two variables, without manipulating them.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction regarding the relationship between two or more variables.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment, affected by the independent variable.

Random Assignment

A technique used to place participants into different groups in a study in a way that eliminates bias.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to arrive at a conclusion.

Naturalistic Observation

A research method that involves observing subjects in their natural environment without intervention.

Falsifiable

A characteristic of a hypothesis that means it can be proven wrong through evidence.

Operational Definition

A clear definition of how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study.

Replication

The process of repeating a study to see if the original findings can be duplicated.

Confounding Variables

Extraneous factors that may affect the dependent variable and lead to incorrect conclusions.

Sampling Bias

A systematic error in sampling that occurs when certain members of the population are more likely to be selected than others.

Scatterplot

A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables.

Generalization of Studies

The process of applying findings from a sample to a larger population.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark.

Placebo

A substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control in testing new drugs.

Single Blind

A study design where the participants do not know whether they are in the experimental or control group.

Double Blind

A study design in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving the treatment.

Qualitative Study

Research that seeks to understand human behavior through subjective analysis.

Quantitative Study

Research that focuses on quantifying data and typically uses statistical methods.

Peer Review

A process by which scholars evaluate each other's research before it is published.

Self Report Bias

A form of bias that occurs when participants provide inaccurate responses about themselves.

Informed Consent

A process by which researchers ensure that participants understand the risks and benefits of participating in a study.

Deception

In research, the act of misleading participants about the nature of the study to prevent bias.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the study's true nature after it has concluded.

Mean

The average value of a data set, calculated by adding all values and dividing by the number of values.

Standard Deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Effect Size

A quantitative measure of the magnitude of a phenomenon, often used to compare the strength of results across studies.

Statistical Significance

A mathematical indication that a result is likely not due to chance.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs.

Hindsight Bias

The inclination to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.

Overconfidence

A bias characterized by excessive confidence in one’s own answers or abilities.

Demand Characteristics

Cues that influence participants' behavior and may lead to biased results.

Longitudinal Study

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period.

Cross Sectional Study

A study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

Histogram

A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data, using bars to show frequency.