AP PSYCH UNIT 0-1

Nature vs. Nurture

Psychology's biggest debate regarding whether human traits are inherited or developed through experience.

Nature

What we are born with (genes).

Nurture

Our environment and experiences (culture, household, trauma, etc.).

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior through natural selection.

Behavior Genetics

The study of the effects of heredity and environment on behaviors.

Genes

Units of heredity that make up chromosomes.

Genome

Instructions for making an organism; all genetic material for that organism.

Identical Twins

Twins formed from one egg that splits; they share the same DNA.

Fraternal Twins

Twins formed from two eggs; they are not more similar than regular siblings.

Epigenetics

The study of how behavior and environment can cause changes that affect gene expression without changing DNA.

Neuron

A single cell that transmits electrical impulses; the building block of the nervous system.

Types of Neurons

1. Sensory 2. Motor 3. Interneurons.

Nerves

Bundles of neurons wrapped together, connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs.

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body through nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls self-regulated internal organs and glands.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Arouses the body and expends energy.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body and conserves energy.

Reflex

An automatic response to a sensory stimulus.

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of a sending neuron and the dendrite of a receiving neuron.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons.

Agonist

A substance that increases neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

A substance that decreases or blocks neurotransmitter action.

Endocrine System

A set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter the brain, causing changes in perception or mood.

Addiction

Compulsive substance abuse.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change or reorganize after damage.

Corpus Callosum

Neural fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Split Brain

A condition when the corpus callosum is severed, preventing communication between hemispheres.

Left Brain Functions

Logical side: math, language, solving problems.

Right Brain Functions

Creative side: recognizing emotions, imagination, arts, rhythm.

Scientific attitude

Basic attitudes which make modern science possible.

Curiosity

Does it work? When put to a test, can its predictions be put to the test?

Skepticism

What do you mean? How do you know? You wonder about things and you are not cynical but not gullible either.

Humility

Be willing to be surprised by results and admit your original thoughts can be wrong.

Hindsight bias

Once you see how something plays out, you believe you would have foreseen it.

Overconfidence

Humans think we know more than we do.

Perceiving patterns in random events

Concept of random is hard for us to comprehend so we often look for patterns in things, even if no logical pattern actually exists.

Scientific method

A set of procedures that helps organize and eliminate bias in experiments.

Theory

Explains behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize observations.

Hypothesis

Testable predictions derived from a theory.

Operational Definition

Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures in your study.

Replication

Trying to get repeat results; the more an experiment's results are repeated, the more the results are considered reliable.

Case Study

Study of an individual or group for a long period of time.

Naturalistic Observation

Observe and record behavior in naturally occurring situations.

Laboratory Observation

Experimenter sets up a controlled setting/simulation to observe.

Survey

Series of questions given to gather information; relies on people self-reporting thoughts.

Bias in surveys

Wording of questions, skewing the people you give surveys to, people not answering honestly.

Population

People being presented with the survey.

Representative sample

Using answers from a small group to represent a bigger group of people.

Correlation

If we observe that one trait or behavior tends to coincide with another.

Correlation does not mean causation

Just because two variables correlate does not mean one causes the other.

Scatterplots

Often used to figure out the relationship between variables and if they correlate.

Correlation coefficient

Letter 'r' stands for correlation or correlation coefficient.

Correlation Coefficient (r)

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

Control Group

Group not exposed to treatment; serves as comparison.

Experimental Group

Group being exposed to treatment.

Independent Variable

Variable being manipulated or purposefully changed.

Dependent Variable

Outcome that is measured; variable that changes because of the change to the independent variable.

Confounding Variable

A factor other than the thing being studied which may influence the results; an unintended variable.

Random Assignment

Randomly assigning participants into control and experimental groups.

Validity of an Experiment

An experiment is valid if it tests what it is supposed to test.

Double-Blind Procedures

Testing method where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the treatment or placebo.

Placebo Effect

Results caused by expectation; improvement due to believing one has received treatment.

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups.

Standard Deviation

How much data varies around the mean; indicates clustering of data points.

Normal Curve/Bell Curve

Graphical representation of standard deviation showing how data is distributed around the mean.

Inferential Statistics

Statistics used to infer the probability of findings being true for the larger population.

Statistical Significance

Statement of how likely a result occurred by chance, expressed as a p value.

Effect Size

Strength of relationship between two variables; larger effect size indicates more explanatory power.

Informed Consent

Providing participants with enough information about a study to enable them to decide on participation.

Debrief

Explaining the purpose of the study and any deceptions to participants after the study.

Ethics Codes in Research

Guidelines urging researchers to obtain informed consent, protect participants, keep information private, and fully debrief.

Reliability of Results

Results that are representative of the larger population, demonstrate low variability, and consist of many cases.