Ap Psychology: Unit 1 flashcards

hypothesis

a testable prediction made before nay research

theory

a statement supported by research that explains a question or phenomena

operational definitions

description of procedures, actions, or processes used in a study so that others can replicate it ( defining variables + how to measure them)

surveys

collects self reported data from people

wording effect

when the way the questions are phrased influences participants responses (ex: people supported “the needy” instead of “welfare”)

population

all individuals studied

sample

part of the population surveyed

random sampling

randomly selecting sample participants, everyone is equally likely to be chosen

stratified sampling

dividing a population into groups that represent something, then selecting people randomly from each group.

representative sample

the sample represents all the different people in a population and participants are selected in an unbiased way

sampling bias

the sample does not represent the entire population (flawed picking)

case study

in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event

correlational study

observes the relationship and strength between variables, but not cause and effect

third variable problem

when outside variables that are not accounted for impact the results of a study

naturalistic observation

collecting data by observing behaviors as they happen, no staged study

cross-sectional design

research design used for comparing different groups (ex: different ages)

longitudinal design

research design which follows on specific group or individual over a long period of time

independent variable

cause

dependent variable

the effect

experimental control

preventing other variables other than the ones being studied form affecting the outcome

placebo effect

when a participant acts differently because they expect a different outcome

placebo

a substance that is as close to the independent variable as possible but it is missing a key component of the IV

confounding variables

variables other than the independent variable that could impact the dependent variable

single blind study

participants don’t know whether they are in the control or experimental group

double blind study

the participants and the experimenters don’t know which participants are in the control or experimental group

random assignment

when participants have an equal chance of being assigned to the experimental or control group (different from random sampling)

quasi experiment

experiment that does not have random assignment of participants (because of ethical or practical reasons)

cannot prove cause and effect

correlational study

collects data on the relationship between two variables through surveys, naturalistic observation, interviews, or past studies ; cannot prove cause and effect

hindsight bias

the tendency to think that one could have anticipated the outcome of an event or experiment after it has already occurred; info is less surprising once you know it

confirmation bias

the tendency to seek information that aligns with our point of view and dismiss information that challenges our beliefs

experimental bias

when a researcher unknowingly influenced the outcome of the research

social desirability bias

the tendency of participants to skew their answers to create a more favorable impression of them or answers that they think researchers are looking for

hawthorne effect

when the subject of a study alters their behavior because they know they’re being watched (named after the hawthorne works plant where this phenomenon was observed)

reducing bias

• following scientific method

• single or double blind studies

• clear operational definitions

• pre screenings to participants

• placebos

• clear objectives

reliability

the trustworthiness or consistency of a test in a study (can be repeated with consistent results)

validity

how well a test measures what the test claims to measure

Wilhem Wundt

“father of psychology”, created 1st lab dedicated to psychology

Edward Tichener

created the first theoretical approaches in psychology and invented term structuralism

Dorthea Dix

sought to change the way the mentally ill were treated and asylums

Structuralism

looks at the mind’s different structures of consciousness by looking at individual parts (looking at each part of a car)

Introspection

examining your own conscious thoughts and processes

Stanley Hall

1st to earn a PHD in psychology and 1st president of the American Psychological association

Gestalt psychology

belief that we cannot separate our consciousness and perception into different parts, we need to look at it as a whole experience

William James

Wrote the 1st psychology textbook, created the functionalism approach, and encouraged women to join the field (taught mary calkins)

functionalism

understanding how mental and behavioral processes operate/function (ex: looking at the car as a whole)

evolutionary approach

looks at how out different traits are adaptations that have come from natural selection

Mary Calkins

significant contributions in memory research and 1st woman president of the American Psychological Association

Margaret Washburn

1st female with psychology PHD and 2nd female president of the American Psychological Association

Sigmund Freud

developed the psychodynamic approach of psychology

psychodynamic approach

focused on unconscious thoughts through open speaking and trying access repressed memories and feelings

free association

when a word or image triggers another idea, word, or picture inside our head

Watson, Pavlov, BF Skinner

believed in an approach that would be known as behaviorism

behaviorism

believes that psychology should be an objective science that focuses on studying observable behaviors without referencing mental processes

B.F Skinner

known for operant conditioning

Ivan Pavlov

known for classical conditioning

John B. Watson

official founder of behavioralism

sociocultural approach

analyzes a person’s experiences and influences in life to better understand how culture shapes us as individuals (ex: family, religion, culture)

humanistic psychology

emphasizes humans potential to grow as individuals, free will, and natural desire to move towards self-actualization (potential)cog

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow

believed behaviorism was too narrow and that focus should be put on the potential for personal growth

cognitive approach

focuses on how we interpret, process, and remember information and inner thoughts

Biological Approach

seeks to understand the links between our biological and psychological processes ( how our behaviors and mental processes are influenced by our nervous system)

biopsychosocial approach

looks at how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact our health

descriptive statistics

describing data without inferences through graphs (pie chart, histogram, etc.

inferential statistics

techniques that allow researchers to make inferences about a population and if data of a sample can be applied to a population

range

highest value - lowest value

standard deviation

average distance from the mean

z-score

how many standard deviations away from the mean

percentile rank

tells you what percentage of the population has a score or value that is the same or lower than yours

probability value

the likelihood that the observed could have occurred by just random chance

if p< 0.05 it is statistically significant

American Psychological Association (APA)

organization that represents psychology in the US and created standards that all psychologists have to follow

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

a committee to review research proposals for ethical acceptability and compliance with the code of conduct, protecting participants

informed consent

a persons voluntary agreement to participate, understanding possible risks, alternatives, benefits from treatment

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

committee responsible for overseeing an institutes program and research protocols involving nonhuman animals, and making sure the animals are treated humanely