Chapter 1-6 Overview: Introduction to Psychology, Research, and Data

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on psychology subfields, brain imaging, scientific method, theory/hypothesis, data, and research design.

Developmental psychology

A major field studying how people change and grow across the lifespan.

Social psychology

The study of how others influence thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Biological (Biopsychology) psychology

The branch focusing on the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.

Brain imaging

Techniques that visualize brain structure or activity in living people (e.g., CT, MRI, PET, EEG).

Autopsy / postmortem study

Examining the brain after death to study its structure.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

An imaging technique using radioactive tracers to measure brain activity; invasive due to tracer injection.

CT (Computed Tomography)

A structural imaging method using X-rays to create 3D images of the brain.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A structural imaging technique using magnetic fields to produce high-resolution images of brain anatomy.

EEG (Electroencephalography)

A method that records the brain's electrical activity via scalp electrodes.

Functional imaging

Imaging techniques that measure brain activity during tasks (e.g., fMRI, PET).

Neuropsychology

The branch studying brain–behavior relationships using psychological methods.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system, including structure, function, development, and disorders.

Theory

A broad, well-supported explanation or model that integrates many observations and generates predictions.

Hypothesis

A testable, specific prediction derived from a theory that specifies direction and variables.

Description (in science)

Systematic description of phenomena to understand and predict them.

Prediction (in science)

A forecast about future observations based on a theory.

Data

Empirical observations or measurements used to test ideas and support or challenge theories.

Scientific method

Systematic, empirical approach to acquiring knowledge, including theory, hypothesis, data collection, and analysis.

Measurement

Process of quantifying variables, e.g., surveys or biological indicators like neurotransmitter levels.

Literature review

A survey of existing research to inform and justify a new study.

Operationalization

Defining how a theoretical concept will be measured or manipulated in a study.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed to observe its effect.

Dependent variable

The outcome variable measured in a study.

Falsifiability

A theory is not absolute; data can falsify or challenge it.