Chapter 1

Question 1

Behaviorism

Answer 1

the view that psychology; (1) should be an objective science that, (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2)

Question 2

Biopsychosocial approach

Answer 2

an approach that integrates different but complementary views from biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints

Question 3

Case Study

Answer 3

a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hopes of revealing universal principles

Question 4

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 4

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with mental activity

Question 5

Confounding Variable

Answer 5

in an experiment, a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect

Question 6

Control Group

Answer 6

in an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; the control group serves as a comparison with the experimental group for judging the effect of the treatment

Question 7

Correlation

Answer 7

a measure of the extent to which two events vary together, and thus of how well either one predicts the other. The correlation coefficient is the mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1.00 to +1.00, with 0 indicating no relationship

Question 8

Critical Thinking

Answer 8

thinking that dose not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, uncovers hidden values, weighs evidence, and assesses conclusions

Question 9

Culture

Answer 9

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and handed down from one generation to the next

Question 10

Debriefing

Answer 10

after an experiment ends. explains to participants the study’s purpose and any deceptions researchers used

Question 11

Dependent Variable

Answer 11

in an experiment, the factor that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Question 12

Double-Blind procedure

Answer 12

a procedure in which participants and research staff are ignorant about who has received the treatment or a placebo

Question 13

Dual processing

Answer 13

the principle that, at the same time, our mind processes information on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Question 14

Experiment

Answer 14

a method in which researchers vary one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Question 15

Experimental group

Answer 15

in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Question 16

Hindsight bias

Answer 16

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we could have predicted it.

Question 17

Humanistic Psychology

Answer 17

emphasized the growth potential of healthy people

Question 18

Hypothesis

Answer 18

a testable prediction often implied by a theory

Question 19

Independent Variables

Answer 19

in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Question 20

Informed Consent

Answer 20

giving people enough information about a study to enable them to decide whether they wish to participate

Question 21

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 21

a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to chance or control the situation

Question 22

Nature-Nurture issue

Answer 22

the age-old controversy over the relative influence of genes and experience in the development of a psychological traits and behaviors. Todays psychological sciences sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

Question 23

Operational Definition

Answer 23

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study, Ex. human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures

Question 24

Placebo

Answer 24

an inactive substance or condition that is sometimes given to those in a control group in place of the treatment given to the experimental group

Question 25

Placebo effect

Answer 25

results caused by expectations alone

Question 26

Population

Answer 26

all those in a group being studied, from which samples my be drawn. (Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country’s whole population)

Question 27

Positive Psychology

Answer 27

the scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

Question 28

Psychology

Answer 28

the science of behavior and mental processes

Question 29

Random Assignment

Answer 29

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, tus minimizing any differences between the groups

Question 30

Random Sample

Answer 30

a sample that fairly represents a population becuause each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Question 31

Replication

Answer 31

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Question 32

Scatterplot

Answer 32

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two factors. The slope of the dots suggests the direction of the relationship between the two factors. How much the dots are scattered suggests the strength of the correlation (with littler scatter indicating high correlation)

Question 33

SQ3R

Answer 33

a study method incorporating five steps:

Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

Question 34

Survey

Answer 34

a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of that group

Question 35

Testing Effect

Answer 35

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also sometimes called the retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning

Question 36

Theory

Answer 36

an explanation using principles that organize observations and predict behaviors or events