First Semester Exam Review Sheet - IB Psychology Year 1
First Semester Exam Review Sheet - IB Psychology Year 1
Due Date
Key Concepts in Psychology
Experimental Method
- Understanding of experimental design is crucial for psychological research.
- Types of Studies:
- Lab Experiment: Controlled environment, manipulation of variables.
- Field Experiment: Conducted in a real-world setting.
- Natural Experiment: Observes naturally occurring variables without manipulation.
Conditioning
- Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.
- Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.
- Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural response to an unconditioned stimulus.
- Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.
Research Techniques
- Sampling Techniques: Understanding different ways to select participants:
- Random Sampling: Every individual has an equal chance of being selected.
- Opportunity Sampling: Selecting individuals who are readily available.
- Self-Selected Sampling: Participants volunteer themselves for the study.
- Purposive Sampling: Participants are chosen based on specific characteristics.
- Snowball Sampling: Existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances.
Key Studies
- Little Albert Study: Explores classical conditioning by conditioning a fear response.
- Rosenthal & Jacobson Study (Pygmalion Effect): Explores the impact of teacher expectations on student performance.
- Anderson & Pichert Study: Investigates schema theory in memory recall.
- Bransford & Johnson Study: Examines how context affects memory retention.
- Pillavin & Rodin Study: Studies altruism and bystander behavior.
Models of Memory
Types of Memory
- Sensory Memory: Brief retention of sensory information.
- Short-Term Memory: Holds a small amount of information for a limited duration.
- Long-Term Memory: Ongoing storage of information, potentially for a lifetime.
Models of Memory
- Multi-Store Model: Includes sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
- Working Memory Model: Introduces components like the Central Executive, Phonological Loop, Visuospatial Sketchpad, and Episodic Buffer.
Memory Research
Biases in Memory Research
- Maturation Bias: Changes in participants over time impacting study results.
- Demand Characteristics: Cues in a study that suggest how participants should behave.
- Experimenter Bias: Researchers' expectations affect the outcome of the study.
Memory Theories and Concepts
- Cognitive Load Theory: states that memory performance can be affected by the amount of information processed.
- Cognitive Dissonance: Tension arises from holding conflicting cognitions.
- Schema Theory: Frameworks that organize and interpret information.
Ethical Principles in Psychology Research
- Informed Consent: Participants must be aware of their involvement and agree to it.
- Debriefing: Participants should be informed of the study's true nature afterward.
- Right to Withdraw: Participants can leave the study at any time.
Ethical Studies
- Milgram Study: Examines obedience to authority, demonstrating ethical concerns regarding deception and psychological harm.
- Sherif Study: Investigates group behavior and conformity under controlled conditions.
Cognitive Biases
- Confirmation Bias: Tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information confirming one's preconceptions.
- Framing Effect: Decisions are influenced by how information is presented.
- Anchoring Bias: Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered.
Cognitive Models
- Dual Process Model: Differentiates between two modes of thinking:
- System 1 Thinking: Fast, automatic, and emotional.
- System 2 Thinking: Slower, deliberate, and more logical.
Qualitative Methods
- Different qualitative research methods including interviews, focus groups, and case studies to gather in-depth insights.
Generalizability and Validity
- Internal Validity: The degree to which a study design accurately establishes a cause-and-effect relationship.
- External Validity: The extent to which study findings can be generalized to real-world settings.
Trending Topics
- Exploring application issues such as ethical concerns, the impact of cognitive biases, and frameworks in research designs for real-world relevance.
Free Response Questions (FRQ) Preparation
- Get familiar with responding to questions in 4 to 5 sentences.
- Focus on referencing measurement studies, explaining causality, and discussing behavioral changes over time.
- Be ready to articulate how and why effects occur in individuals or in behavior changes based on the context of studies covered in this exam prep.