PSYC 101: Basic and Applied Psychology, Study Strategies, and Core Concepts

Basic and Applied Psychology / Careers

  • Basic Research: Research primarily intended to increase knowledge.
  • Applied Research: Research intended to solve practical problems.
  • Clinical Psychology: Assessment and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
  • Counseling Psychology: Helps people cope with life challenges and transitions.
  • Developmental Psychology: Studies change across the lifespan.
  • Social Psychology: Studies how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.
  • Cognitive Psychology: Studies thinking, memory, language, perception, and problem-solving.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Applies psychological science to workplaces and organizations.
  • Educational Psychology: Studies learning and educational processes.
  • Sports Psychology: Studies psychological factors related to athletic performance and participation.
  • Psychiatry: Psychiatrists are physicians (MD/DO) who specialize in mental health and can prescribe medication; they are distinct from psychologists.

Use Psychology to Become a Better Student

  • Testing Effect / Retrieval Practice: Actively retrieving information from memory strengthens learning. Self-quizzing is more useful than only rereading.
  • Spacing Effect: Learning is improved when study sessions are distributed over time rather than packed into one cramming session.
  • Active Processing: Explain ideas in your own words, make examples, teach the concept, and practice recalling it without looking.

Must-Know Differences

  • Theory vs. Hypothesis:
    • Theory: Explanation.
    • Hypothesis: Testable prediction.
  • Correlation vs. Causation:
    • Correlation: Shows a relationship.
    • Causation: Correlation does not prove cause.
  • Positive vs. Negative Correlation:
    • Positive Correlation: Variables move in the same direction.
    • Negative Correlation: Variables move in opposite directions.
  • Random Sample vs. Random Assignment:
    • Random Sample: Refers to who enters the study.
    • Random Assignment: Refers to which condition participants enter.
  • Independent Variable vs. Dependent Variable:
    • Independent Variable (IV): The variable that is manipulated.
    • Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that is measured.
  • Experimental Group vs. Control Group:
    • Experimental Group: Treatment condition.
    • Control Group: Comparison condition.
  • Structuralism vs. Functionalism:
    • Structuralism: Focuses on the structure/components of conscious experience.
    • Functionalism: Focuses on the purpose/function of conscious experience.
  • Basic Research vs. Applied Research:
    • Basic Research: Focuses on building knowledge.
    • Applied Research: Focuses on solving practical problems.

Practice Quiz

  • Question 1: A researcher finds that students who sleep more tend to have higher GPAs. What can be concluded?
    • Answer: The variables are correlated; the finding alone does not prove that sleep causes higher GPA.
  • Question 2: A researcher changes the amount of sleep participants receive and measures memory. What is the IV and DV?
    • Independent Variable (IV): Amount of sleep (manipulated variable).
    • Dependent Variable (DV): Memory (measured variable).