Psych Midterm

Key Research Concepts

Theory: A hypothesis supported by research and evidence.
Hypothesis: An assumption made prior to research, acting as an educated guess.
Operational Definition: Description based on observable and measurable operations.
Replication: Repeating a study with different participants to see if findings can be generalized.
Case Study: An in-depth study of a single individual or event, often not replicable.
Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environment without interference; interpretations may vary.
Survey: Gathering data through questionnaires answered by participants.
Experiment: Testing a hypothesis with a control and experimental group.
Correlation Study: Examining relationships between variables, often illustrated using scatterplots.
Random Assignment: Randomly assigning participants to control versus experimental groups.

Correlation Coefficient: Measures relationship strength between two variables (-1 = perfect negative, 0 = no correlation, 1 = perfect positive).
Random Sample: Selection allowing all individuals a chance to participate.
Scatter Plot: A graphical representation of data clusters showing relationships between two variables.
Experimental Group: Receives the independent variable.
Control Group: Does not receive the independent variable for comparison.
Independent Variable: The manipulated factor.
Dependent Variable: The effect observed from the independent variable.
Confounding Variable: An unforeseen variable influencing the dependent variable.

Double Blind Experiment: Neither participants nor researchers know who receives the treatment.
Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it intends to measure.
Reliability: Consistency of test results across multiple occasions.

Mode: The most frequently occurring value.
Mean: The average value.
Median: The middle value in a dataset.
Skewed Distributions: Data shape indicating uneven distribution around the mean.
Normal Curve: Represents data clustering around the mean.

Research Ethics: Moral principles guiding the conduct of research involving human subjects.
Intelligence: Ability to learn, adapt, reason, and utilize information.
Stanford Binet Test: Measures cognitive abilities and intelligence.
Achievement Test: Assesses learned material.
Aptitude Test: Predicts future performance.
Content Validity: Ensures test questions cover necessary topics.
Predictive Validity: Correlates test scores with future evaluations.

Action Potential: Change in electrical potential across a neuron's membrane.
Threshold: Minimum stimulus required to generate a response.
All or Nothing Response: Nerve action potential occurs at full strength or not at all.
Neural Impulse Travel: Begins in dendrites, moves to the cell body, and along the axon.

Sensory Neurons: Carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
Motor Neurons: Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.
Interneurons: Connect neurons within the CNS.
Neurotransmitters: Chemical messages that transmit signals between neurons.
Agonist Molecules: Mimic neurotransmitter effects.
Antagonist Molecules: Block neurotransmitter effects.

Hypothalamus: Controls the pituitary gland, regulating various bodily functions.
Pituitary Gland: Secretes hormones impacting other glands and processes.
Adrenal Glands: Mediate stress responses.
Thyroid Gland: Regulates metabolism.

REM Sleep: Associated with dreaming and physiological changes such as rapid eye movement.
Stages 1-4 Sleep: Ranges from light sleep with awareness of surroundings (Stage 1) to deep sleep (Stage 4) where growth and repair occur.
Narcolepsy: Disorder affecting sleep cycles.
Insomnia: Difficulty in sleep initiation or maintenance.

Classical Conditioning: Learning through association, where a conditioned stimulus elicits a conditioned response.
Operant Conditioning: Behavior shaped through reinforcement or punishment. Key figures include Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner.

Implicit vs Explicit Memory: Differentiating between conscious recall and automatic recollection.
Chunking & Mnemonics: Techniques for enhancing memory.
Serial Position Effect: Tendency to recall the first and last items better.
Flashbulb Memory: Vivid recollection of emotionally significant events.

Aphasia: Language impairment due to brain damage, affecting speech production or comprehension.
Linguistic Determinism: Hypothesis suggesting language influences thought processes.