Unit Zero - Research Vocabulary

Inferential Statistics

• Used to determine the significance of results from experiments.

• Placebo Effect: Observed effect caused by placebo treatment that shows effectiveness of the experimental treatment.

• Statistical Significance: Results are not due to chance; often indicated by p<.05.

Basic Vocabulary

• Hypothesis: A tentative explanation that must be falsifiable; can be supported or rejected.

• Operational Definition: Precise, quantifiable definition of variables for clarity and replication.

• Effect Size: Indicates practical significance of data.

• Ethical Guidelines: Approval needed for human research involving the IRB.

  • Confidentiality: Ensuring participant identities remain secret.

  • Informed Consent: Participants must agree to take part in the study.

  • Informed Assent: Minors require parental consent.

  • Debriefing: Participants informed about the study's true purpose post-study.

Research Design Terms

• Random Assignment: Randomly assigning participants to groups increases representation.

• Sample: Individuals chosen for the study (representative or convenience).

• Confound: Errors introduced in study impacting results (confounding variables).

• Qualitative Data: Descriptive data (e.g. eye color).

• Quantitative Data: Numerical data (e.g. measurements).

Experimental Methods

Types of Experiments

• Single-Blind: Only participants are unaware of the condition.

• Double-Blind: Both participants and experimenters are unaware of conditions.

Correlation

• Useful for unethical experiments but does not indicate causation.

  • Directionality Problem: Uncertainty in the cause-effect relationship.

  • Third Variable Problem: Another variable may cause the observed effects.

Study Types

• Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in natural settings.

• Surveys: Self-reported data; can be biased due to social desirability.

• Case Study: In-depth study of one individual.

• Meta-Analysis: Combines results from multiple studies to improve validity and reliability.

Statistics and Sampling

Correlation Types

• Positive Correlation: Both variables increase.

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

Types of Samples

• Random Sample: Everyone has a chance of participation.

• Representative Sample: Mimics the general population attributes.

• Convenience Sample: Based on availability but is less representative.

Measures of Central Tendency

• Mean: Average; affected by extreme values.

• Median: Middle value; less affected by outliers.

• Mode: Most frequently occurring value.

Experiments and Errors

Bias and Errors

• Experimenter Bias: Expectations affect outcome.

• Participant Bias: Participant behavior influenced by expectations.

• Cognitive Bias: Influences in thinking/judgment leading to skewed results.

Independent and Dependent Variables

• Independent Variable (IV): Manipulated by the researcher.

• Dependent Variable (DV): Measured outcome affected by IV.

• Control Group: Baseline group not receiving treatment.

Biological Basis of Behavior

Heredity vs Environment

• Nature/Nurture debate regarding influence on behavior.

  • Twin Studies: Genetics vs environmental impact on behavior.

Nervous System Overview

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord.

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Divides into somatic and autonomic systems.

  • Somatic NS: Voluntary control; sensory and motor neurons.

  • Autonomic NS: Involuntary control of organs; includes sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Neuron Structure and Function

• Neurons: Basic units with dendrites (receive signals) and axons (transmit signals).

• Synapse: Gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Neurotransmitter Information

• Major Neurotransmitters: GABA (inhibitory), Glutamate (excitatory), Dopamine, Serotonin, Acetylcholine.

• Hormones: Influence behaviors related to mood, hunger, sleep, etc.

Brain Structure and Function

Major Brain Regions

• Cerebellum: Coordination and balance.

• Brain Stem: Controls vital functions like heart rate.

• Cerebral Cortex: Higher-order functions; includes lobes for specific functions (occipital, frontal, parietal, temporal).

• Limbic System: Emotional processing and memory formation.

Language Processing Areas

• Broca's Area: Speech production.

• Wernicke's Area: Language comprehension.

Brain Research Techniques

• EEG: Broad brain activity.

• fMRI: Measures specific brain region activity.

Diseases and Disorders

• Multiple Sclerosis: Affects myelin sheath impacting motor control.

• Alzheimer’s: Memory loss associated with acetylcholine depletion.

Sleep and Consciousness

Sleep Stages

• NREM Stages: Varying sleep depths with distinct physiological markers.

• REM Sleep: Associated with dreaming and cognitive processing.

Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping.

• Narcolepsy: Sudden sleep episodes.

• Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.

Theories of Dreams and Sleep Necessity

• Consolidation theory: Processing and storing memories during sleep.

Sensation and Perception

Sensation and Perception Definitions

• Sensation: Receiving stimuli.

• Transduction: Converting stimuli into neural signals.

Key Concepts

• Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulus detection threshold.

• Just Noticeable Difference (JND): Smallest detectable difference in stimuli.

Vision and Auditory Systems

• Visual System: Components include lens, retina, rods and cones.

• Auditory System: Involves sound waves and neural processing.

Memory Concepts

Memory Encoding and Retrieval

• Types of Encoding: Automatic vs Effortful.

• Memory Models: Multi-Store Model detailing sensory, short-term, and long-term memory processes.

Forgetting Factors

• Forgetting Curve: Rate at which information is lost over time.

• Interference: Proactive and retroactive interference influence memory retrieval.

Memory Disorders

• Amnesia: Anterograde and retrograde amnesia affecting memory recall.

Intelligence and Development

Intelligence Theories

• Multiple Intelligences: Different facets of intellectual ability beyond traditional metrics.

Developmental Psychology Concepts

• Nature vs Nurture: Ongoing debate in developmental studies.

• Cohort Studies: Cross-sectional vs longitudinal studies help understand development.

Physical Development Concepts

• Prenatal Influences: Teratogens impact fetal development.

• Reflexes: Innate responses to stimuli that can fade with maturity.