Unit 0 - AP Psychology

The Scientific Attitude

A mindset that values curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, and willingness to revise beliefs in light of evidence.

Critical Thinking

Systematically evaluating information, sources, and arguments to reach well-supported conclusions.

Barriers to Critical Thinking

Obstacles such as cognitive biases, emotional reasoning, and social pressures that hinder objective analysis.

Psychological Science

The study of behavior and mental processes using empirical methods and theoretical frameworks.

The Scientific Method

A systematic process of observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, analysis, and conclusions.

Theory

A well-supported, broad explanation that generates testable predictions.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about a relationship between variables.

Basic Science

Research aimed at increasing knowledge for its own sake, without immediate practical application.

Applied Science

Research aimed at solving practical problems.

Operational Definition

A clear, measurable definition of a variable used in research.

Non-Experimental Methods

Research methods that do not involve manipulation of variables, such as case studies, naturalistic observation, and meta-analysis.

Case Study

In-depth examination of a single case or a small number of cases.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in natural contexts without experimental manipulation.

Meta-analysis

Statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to identify overall patterns.

Correlational

A research method examining relationships between variables; does not establish causation.

Correlation does not equal causation

A principle stating that a relationship between variables does not prove one causes the other.

Experimental

A research method involving manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment to conditions to establish causal effects.

Placebo / Placebo Effect

An inert treatment used as a control; placebo effect is the improvement due to participants' expectations.

Surveys / Questionnaires

Instruments used to collect self-reported data from participants.

Sampling

Process of selecting participants; includes representative, random, and convenience sampling.

Representative Sampling

A sample that mirrors the population's characteristics.

Random Sampling

Each member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

Convenience Sampling

Selecting participants based on availability rather than randomness.

Assignment (to groups)

Process of allocating participants to experimental or control groups, often random.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistic (r) describing the strength and direction of a linear relationship.

Scatterplots

Graphs showing the relationship between two variables.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

The variable measured to assess the effect of manipulation.

Lab vs Field Experiments

Lab experiments occur in controlled settings; field experiments occur in natural settings.

Longitudinal vs Cross-sectional

Longitudinal studies follow the same participants over time; cross-sectional compare different groups at one time.

Single-Blind Experiment

Participants are unaware of group assignment; researchers may know.

Double-Blind Experiment

Neither participants nor researchers know group assignments.

Validity

The extent to which a test or study measures what it intends to measure.

Reliability

The consistency and stability of a measure or procedure.

Ethics in Research

Moral principles guiding treatment of participants, including informed consent and minimizing harm.

Humans vs Non-Human (Animals)

Differences in ethical considerations and oversight in research.

IRB

Institutional Review Board; reviews and approves research involving humans to protect participants.

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; oversees ethical treatment of animals in research.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistics that summarize data, including measures of central tendency and variability.

Measures of Central Tendency

Mean, median, and mode; describe the center of a data set.

Mean

The arithmetic average of a data set.

Median

The middle value when data are ordered.

Mode

The most frequently occurring value in a data set.

Measures of Variability

Range and standard deviation; describe data spread.

Range

Difference between maximum and minimum values.

Standard Deviation

Average distance of scores from the mean.

Normal Distribution

Bell-shaped, symmetrical distribution with most scores near the mean.

Skew Distribution

Asymmetrical distribution; positive skew has a long tail to the right, negative skew to the left.

Positive Skew

Most scores are low with a long right tail.

Negative Skew

Most scores are high with a long left tail.

Inferential Statistics

Statistics used to infer population parameters from samples.

Statistical Significance

A result unlikely to occur by chance, suggesting a real effect.