Psychology Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for Psychology 40S Chapter 1 Part 2.

Diversity

Differences among people in background, gender, race, culture, etc.

Culture

Shared values, beliefs, motives, and behaviors that characterize a group of people.

Ethics

Moral principles governing behavior or conducting an activity.

Institutional Review Board

A board that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical guidelines are followed.

Scientific Method

A dynamic interaction between theories, hypotheses, and research methods.

Theory

An explanation of how some mental process or behavior occurs.

Hypothesis

An attempt to answer a theory’s questions and consists of a testable prediction.

Replication

Repeating an experiment to confirm results.

Descriptive methods

Methods used to observe and describe behavior.

Case studies

In depth investigation of one or a few people or an organization.

Observational studies

Allow researcher to watch what participants do in a natural environment or a laboratory.

Self reports

Use surveys, questionnaires, or interviews to gather information directly from participants.

Correlational methods

Test the relationship between variables.

Causation

The relationship determining that one variable causes another.

Experimental methods

Investigate what causes an outcome.

Independent variable

The variable that the experimenter changes.

Dependent variable

The variable that changes as it is influenced by the independent variable.

Control group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that receives the experimental treatment.

Random sample

A sample in which everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance.

Random Sample

Selecting participants by a random computer database, out of a hat, or every 10th student on a list.

Theory

An explanation of how some mental process or behavior occurs; formulated by performing a literature review.

Research

The systematic collection of data to prove or disprove a hypothesis.

Replication

Repeating an experiment to confirm results.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing participants in their own setting with little to no interaction.

Case Study

An intensive study of one person that usually combines long term observations with diaries, tests and interviews.

Survey

Practical way to find out mass information on a large scale and can be interviews or questionnaires.

Correlation

How two sets of data relate to each other.

Experiments

Conduct an experiment by using the scientific method.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Acting in a way because of knowledge you possess and then unconsciously carrying out the result of the knowledge.

Single Blind Experiments

The participants are blind to whether they are in the control group or experimental group.

Double Blind Experiments

Neither the participant or the experimenter knows which subjects are in control and experimental.

Placebo Effect

When participants are given an experimental effect such as a drug, and claims to have improved, or have side effects even if they had a fake

Scientific Method

A systematic procedure of observing and measuring phenomena to answer questions about what happens, when it happens, what causes it, and why.

Data

Numerical data usually reported as statistics.

Measure of Central Tendency

Mean, median, and mode.

Standard Deviation

Measures results based on the distance from the mean and the variance that occurs with the data.

Quantitative

Data based on numbered results.

Qualitative

Data based on actual recorded observations.