Chapter 1- intro to psychology Flashcards
nature
Inherited biological makeup
nurture
the environment around you that shape behaviors, personality, and other characteristics.
Basic research
collecting data to support (or refute) theories. Often executed in the lab
Applied Research
focused on changing behaviors, outcomes, and real world applications. Conducted in natural settings
Psychology
the study of behavior and mental processes
Introspection
examination of ones conscious activities.
goals of psychology
- Describe
- Explain
- Predict
- Control Behavior
psychoanalytic perspective
Behavior and personality are shaped by unconscious conflicts. Created by Freud
Structuralism
determined form and most basic elements of the mind
Functionalism
focused on the function of thought processes, feelings, and behaviors and how they help us adapt to the environment
behaviorism
study of observable behavior
behavioral perspective
we tend to change our behavior based on the reaction given to the behavior. So if the behavior is given a negative response you will stop doing it and vise versa
pseudo psychology
explaining and predicting behavior or events with no evidence to support it
humanistic psychology
we are inherently good and by nature look to improve and grow
biological perspective
uses knowledge about physiological to explain behavior and mental processes. Explain how biological factors such as genes and hormones are involved in behavior and cognition
cognitive perspective
examines mental activities that direct behavior focusing on processes such as thinking memory and language
evolutionary perspective
behaviors and mental processes are shaped by the forces of evolution. shaped by natural selection
sociocultural perspective
social interactions and culture influence behavior and mental processes
biopsychosocial perspective
through the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
scientific method
the process scientists use to conduct research a continuing cycle of: exploration critical thinking and systematic observation
hypothesis
a statement that can be used to test a prediction
experiment
a controlled procedure that involves careful examination through the use of observation and or manipulation of variables
theory
synthesizes observations in order to explain phenomena and guide predictions to be tested through research
operational definition
the precise manner in which a variable of interest is defined and measured
replicate
to repeat an experiment generally with a new sample or other changes to the procedures the goal of which is to provide further support for the findings of the first study
variables
measurable characteristics that can vary over time or across people
population
all members of an identified group about which a researcher is interested
sample
a subset of a population chosen for inclusion in an experiment
random sample
a subset of the population chosen through a procedure that ensures all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study
representative sample
a subgroup of a population selected so that its members have characteristics similar to those of the population of interest
descriptive research
research methods that describe and explore behaviors but with findings that can not definitively state cause and effect relationships
naturalistic observation
a type of descriptive research that studies participants in their natural environment through systematic observation
observer bias
errors in recording of observations the result of a researchers value system expectations or attitudes
case study
a type of descriptive research that closely examines an individual or small group
survey method
a type of descriptive research that uses questionnaires or interviews to gather data
correlation method
a type of descriptive method examining the relationships among variables
correlation
an association or relationship between two or more variables
correlation coefficient
the statistical measure symbolized as r that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between the two variables
third variable
an unaccounted for characteristic of participants or the environment that explains changes in the variables of interest
experimental method
a type of research that manipulates a variable of interest to uncover cause and effect relationships
random assignment
the process of appointing study participants to the experimental or control groups ensuring that every person has an equal chance of being assigned to either
experimental group
the members of an experiment who are exposed to the treatment variable or manipulation by the researcher represents the treatment group
control group
the participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the treatment variable this is the comparison group
independent variable
in the experimental method the variable manipulated be the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable
dependent variable
in the experimental method the characteristic or response that is measured to determine the effect of the researcher’s manipulation
extraneous variable
a characteristic of or the environment that could unexpectedly influence the outcome of a study
confounding variable
a type of extraneous variable that changes in sync with the independent variable making it difficult to discern which is causing changes in the dependent variable
double blind study
type of study in which neither the researcher who are administering the independent variable nor the participants know what type of treatment is being given
placebo
an inert substance given to members of the control group the fake treatment that has no benefit but is administered as if it does
experimenter bias
researchers expectations that influence the outcome of a study
informed consent
acknowledgement from study participants that they understand what their participation will entail
debriefing
sharing information with participants after their involvement in a study has ended including the purpose of the research and any deception used
institutional review board
a committee that reviews research proposals to protect the rights and welfare of all participants
positive psychology
an approach that focuses on the positive aspects of human beings and seeking to understand their strengths and uncover the roots of happiness creativity humor and so on
