AP Psych Unit 0 Review Guide

Page 1: Scientific Foundations of Psychology

Subfields of Psychology

• Two branches of professional psychology:

  • Basic Psychology: Focuses on research and theory.

  • Applied Psychology: Applies research to real-world problems.

Educational Prerequisites

• Psychiatrist: Medical degree, specialized training in psychiatry.

• Psychologist: Doctorate in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.).

• Counselor: Master’s degree in counseling or related field.

Psychology as the Study of Behavior and Mental Processes

• Psychology focuses on the behavior (observable actions) and mental processes (thoughts, feelings, perceptions).

Psychology as a Science

• The Scientific Attitude: Involves curiosity, skepticism, and humility.

• "The rat is always right": Emphasizes the importance of objective observation.

Common Cognitive Biases

• Hindsight Bias: Belief that past events were predictable after learning the outcome.

• Overconfidence: Overestimation of knowledge and abilities.

• Perceiving Order in Random Events: Seeing patterns in random sequences.

The Scientific Method and Research Methods

• Theory: Explanation based on observations.

• Hypothesis: Testable predictions derived from theories.

• Operational Definition: Specific procedures used to measure variables.

• “Replication is confirmation”: Repeating studies to validate findings.

Methods of Research

• Descriptive Methods

  • Case Study: In-depth analysis of a single individual or group.

  • Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in natural settings without manipulation.

  • Survey: Gathering self-reported data from a group through questionnaires.

• Correlational Methods

  • Correlational Coefficient: Measures strength and direction of relationships (-1 to 1).

  • Positive Correlation: Both variables move in the same direction.

  • Negative Correlation: One variable increases as the other decreases.

Page 2: Research Methods Continued

Illusory Correlation

• Perception of a relationship that doesn’t exist or is exaggerated.

Regression Toward the Mean

• Tendency for extreme scores to move back toward average levels.

Experimental Research

• Experimental vs. Control Group

  • Experimental Group: Receives treatment.

  • Control Group: Does not receive treatment.

• Key Variations

  • Independent Variable: The manipulated factor.

  • Dependent Variable: The measured effect of manipulation.

  • Confounding Variable: External factors that could influence results.

Blind Studies

• Double Blind: Neither participants nor researchers know who gets treatment.

• Single Blind: Participants do not know if they are receiving treatment.

Validity and Reliability

• Validity: Accuracy of a test or experiment in measuring what it claims.

• Reliability: Consistency of test results.

Sampling Terms

• Population: Entire group being studied.

• Random Sample: Each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

• Representative Sample: Reflects demographics of the population.

• Random Assignment: Randomly assigning subjects to groups.

Research Design and Ethics

• APA Code of Ethics

  • Informed Consent: Participants must understand the risks.

  • Protection from Harm.

  • Protection of Confidentiality.

  • Debriefing: Participants informed post-study if deception was involved.

Page 3: Statistics in Psychology

Statistics Overview

• Descriptive Statistics: Summarize and describe data.

• Inferential Statistics: Draw conclusions about populations based on sample data.

Measures of Central Tendency

• Mode: The most frequent score.

• Mean: The average of scores.

• Median: The middle score in a distribution.

Measures of Variation

• Range: Difference between highest and lowest scores.

• Standard Deviation: Indicates how much scores vary from the mean.

Distribution Patterns

• Normal Curve: Symmetrical distribution of data.

• Skewed Distribution: Imbalance in data with few scores on one side (positive or negative).

Statistical Significance

• P-value: Indicates likelihood that results occurred by chance.

  • A p-value of .05 or less suggests a 95% likelihood that results are not due to chance.