Unit 0 - AP Psychology

bleh

psyhodynamic

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the influence of unconscious drives and early childhood experiences on behavior and personality.

behavioral

A psychological perspective that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned through interaction with the environment.

cognitive

A psychological perspective that studies mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, emphasizing how people understand and interpret their experiences.

biological

A psychological perspective that examines the physiological, genetic, and biochemical factors that influence behavior and mental processes, often emphasizing the role of the brain and nervous system.

evolutionary

A psychological perspective that explores how evolutionary principles, such as natural selection, influence human behavior and mental processes, highlighting the adaptive significance of certain traits.

humanistic

A psychological perspective that emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the importance of free will and individual experience in understanding human behavior.

Quantitative

A research approach that focuses on the systematic measurement and analysis of numerical data to understand behavior and mental processes, often employing statistical methods to test hypotheses and draw conclusions.

Qualitative

A research approach that emphasizes understanding human behavior and experiences through non-numerical data, such as interviews and observations, focusing on the depth and complexity of human experiences.

Operatinal Definitions

Specific explanations of abstract concepts defined in measurable terms, allowing for clarity and replicability in research.

Double Blind procedure

A experimental design where neither the participants nor the researchers know which participants receive the treatment or the placebo, reducing bias in results.

Descriptive methods

Research techniques that aim to provide a detailed account of behaviors, characteristics, or phenomena, often using observations, surveys, or case studies to gather qualitative data.

Correlation method

A research technique used to measure the relationship between two variables, determining the strength and direction of their association without implying causation.

Indepenable variable

A variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effects on the dependent variable.

Depenable variable

A variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the impact of the independent variable, reflecting any changes that occur as a result.

illusory correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables when no such relationship exists, often leading to false conclusions about their association.

social desirability bias

The tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others, often leading to skewed data.

self report bias

The tendency for individuals to provide inaccurate or untruthful answers on surveys or questionnaires, often due to personal biases or the desire to present themselves in a favorable light.

informed consent

The process of obtaining voluntary agreement from participants before they engage in research, ensuring they understand the nature of the study and their rights.

informed assent

A child's or individual's agreement to participate in research, often obtained when they are not legally able to provide informed consent themselves.

validity

The extent to which a test or instrument measures what it claims to measure, ensuring accuracy and relevance of conclusions drawn from the results.

descriptive statistics

Statistical methods that summarize or describe characteristics of a data set, including measures of central tendency and variability.

measure of central tendacy

A statistical measure that identifies a single score as representative of an entire distribution, commonly including mean, median, and mode.