PSYCH DAY 5: Statistics Review and Classical Conditioning - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on statistics (variability, correlation, inferential stats, experimental design) and classical conditioning (US/UR/CS/CR, extinction, spontaneous recovery, acquisition).

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a data set; does not reference central tendency and is sensitive to outliers.

Variance

A measure of spread representing the average squared deviation from the mean; used to compute standard deviation and other statistics.

Standard deviation

The square root of the variance; a measure of how spread out scores are around the mean.

Outlier

An unusually extreme value that heavily influences measures like range and mean, especially in small samples.

Normal distribution

A symmetric, bell-shaped distribution; larger samples reduce the impact of outliers on statistics.

Correlation coefficient (r)

A normalized statistic between -1 and 1 that indicates the direction and strength of a linear relationship between two variables.

Positive relationship

As one variable increases, the other tends to increase.

Negative relationship

As one variable increases, the other tends to decrease.

Strength of relationship

Indicated by the absolute value of r; closer to 1 means a stronger relationship, closer to 0 means weaker or no relationship.

Descriptive statistics

Statistics that summarize data (e.g., mean, variance, range) without inferring beyond the observed data.

Inferential statistics

Techniques for making inferences about populations from sample data; involve hypothesis tests and p-values.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about a relationship or effect, typically with a null hypothesis and an experimental/alternative hypothesis.

Null hypothesis

The statement that there is no effect or relationship between the variables being tested.

p-value

The probability of obtaining results as extreme as those observed if the null hypothesis is true; used to assess statistical significance.

Statistical significance

A result, usually p < 0.05, indicating findings are unlikely due to chance; does not prove the effect.

Independent variable

The variable that the researcher deliberately manipulates to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The outcome variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Experimental group

Participants exposed to the manipulation/treatment.

Control group

Participants not exposed to the manipulation; used as a baseline for comparison.

Pretest and posttest

Measurements taken before and after an intervention to assess change.

Between-subjects design

An experimental design where different participants are assigned to each condition.

Within-subjects design

An experimental design where the same participants experience all conditions.

Mixed design

A design combining between- and within-subjects elements.

Acquisition

The learning phase where the conditioned stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response.

Extinction

The weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.

Neutral stimulus

A stimulus that initially elicits no response.

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response without learning (e.g., food causing salivation).

Unconditioned response (UR)

The natural, reflexive response to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation to food).

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after pairing with the US, elicits a response.

Conditioned response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Pavlov

Physiologist whose classical conditioning experiments with dogs demonstrated how associations form.

Metronome as CS example

A neutral stimulus (metronome) paired with food to elicit salivation, illustrating CS formation.