Note
Studied by 27 people
AP Psychology Units 2, 3, 4, 5 and 14 BOE
Research and Experimental Terms
Hindsight Bias: The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we could have predicted it (“I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon”).
Operational Definition: A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study.
Case Study: An in-depth analysis of an individual or group to reveal universal principles.
Naturalistic Observation: Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation.
Survey: A method for gathering self-reported attitudes, opinions, or behaviors by questioning a representative sample.
Experiment: A research method where one or more factors (independent variables) are manipulated to observe their effect on a dependent variable.
Control Group: The group not exposed to the independent variable; serves as a baseline for comparison.
Experimental Group: The group exposed to the independent variable.
Population: The entire group being studied, from which a sample may be drawn.
Random Sample: A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Representative Sample: A sample that reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole.
Convenience Sample: A sample based on ease of access, rather than random selection.
Random Assignment: Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance to minimize bias.
Double-Blind Procedure: Neither participants nor researchers know who receives the treatment or placebo.
Placebo: A substance or treatment with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing.
Independent Variable: The factor manipulated by the researcher.
Dependent Variable: The outcome or response measured in an experiment.
Statistical Significance: Indicates whether an observed effect is likely due to chance.
Effect Size: A quantitative measure of the strength of a phenomenon.
Standard Deviation: A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.
Quantitative Measures: Data that is numerical and can be measured precisely.
Qualitative Measures: Data that is descriptive and subjective in nature.
Meta-analysis: A statistical procedure combining the results of multiple studies.
Social Psychology Terms
Aggression: Physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.
Altruism: Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.
Bystander Effect: Tendency for individuals to be less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.
Social Loafing: Reduced effort by individuals in a group compared to when working alone.
Reciprocity Norm: The expectation that people will help those who have helped them.
Conflict: A perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.
Social Trap: A situation where conflicting parties harm themselves by pursuing their own interests.
Ingroup vs. Outgroup Phenomenon: Favoring one’s own group (ingroup) and discriminating against others (outgroup).
Out-Group Homogeneity Bias: Perceiving outgroup members as more similar than ingroup members.
Fundamental Attribution Error: Overestimating personality traits and underestimating situational factors when explaining behavior.
Diffusion of Responsibility: Reduced sense of responsibility in the presence of others.
Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations.
Social Responsibility Norm: The expectation to help those dependent on us.
Stanford Prison Experiment: A study by Philip Zimbardo exploring the power of situational influences on behavior.
Groupthink: Desire for harmony in decision-making groups leads to poor outcomes.
Social Facilitation: Improved performance on tasks in the presence of others.
Asch Experiment: A study on conformity, demonstrating individuals may yield to group pressure.
Milgram Study: A study on obedience showing people’s willingness to obey authority, even against their morals.
Foot-in-the-Door Technique: The tendency for people to comply with a larger request after agreeing to a smaller one.
Obedience: Following the instructions of an authority figure.
Conformity: Adjusting behavior or thinking to align with a group standard.
Biological Psychology Terms
Neurons: Basic building blocks of the nervous system.
Axon: The long fiber that transmits signals from the neuron to other neurons or muscles.
Soma: The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus.
Dendrites: Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.
Action Potential: A brief electrical charge traveling down the axon.
Myelin Sheath: Fatty covering of axons that speeds up neural impulses.
Reuptake: Reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron.
Endorphins: Neurotransmitters linked to pain relief and pleasure.
Endocrine System: A system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream.
Pituitary Gland: The "master gland" that regulates other glands.
Glutamate: An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.
Dopamine: A neurotransmitter linked to movement, emotion, and reward.
Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter related to muscle action and memory.
Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal.
GABA: An inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal activity.
Serotonin: A neurotransmitter influencing mood, hunger, and sleep.
Cerebral Cortex: Outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.
Corpus Callosum: Connects the two brain hemispheres.
Thalamus: The brain’s sensory relay center.
Hypothalamus: Regulates bodily functions like hunger and temperature.
Reticular Formation: A network involved in arousal and consciousness.
Medulla: Controls vital functions like heartbeat and breathing.
Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance.
Hippocampus: Processes explicit memories.
Amygdala: Linked to emotion, especially fear and aggression.
Central Nervous System: Brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System: All nerves outside the central nervous system.
Sensation and Perception Terms
Sensation: The process by which sensory receptors receive stimulus energies.
Perception: Organizing and interpreting sensory information.
Bottom-Up Processing: Analysis beginning with sensory input.
Top-Down Processing: Using experience and expectations to interpret sensory input.
Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulus required for detection 50% of the time.
Just Noticeable Difference (JND): Smallest detectable difference between stimuli.
Signal Detection Theory: Predicts how and when a signal will be detected amidst background noise.
Cocktail Party Effect: The ability to focus on one voice among many.
Selective Attention: Focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring others.
States of Consciousness Terms
Circadian Rhythm: Biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycles.
Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.
Night Terrors: Episodes of screaming and fear during deep sleep.
Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Narcolepsy: Uncontrollable sleep attacks.
Somnambulism: Sleepwalking.
Delta Waves: Slow brain waves of deep sleep.
Sleep Spindles: Bursts of rapid brain activity during Stage 2 sleep.
Alpha Waves: Brain waves associated with relaxation.
REM Sleep: A sleep stage with rapid eye movement and vivid dreams.
Information Processing Theory: Dreams help sort and process daily experiences.
Physiological Functioning Theory: Dreams provide stimulation for brain growth and development.
Activation Synthesis Theory: Dreams result from random neural activity.
REM Rebound: Increased REM sleep after REM deprivation.