Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Behaviorism

Answer 1

The view that psychology:
1- should be an objective science
2- studies behavior without reference to mental processes
Most research psychologists today agree with 1 but not 2.

Question 2

Humanistic Psychology

Answer 2

Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth.

Question 3

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 3

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

Question 4

Psychology

Answer 4

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Question 5

Nature-Nurture Issue

Answer 5

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.
Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of both.

Question 6

Levels of Analysis

Answer 6

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Question 7

Biopsychosocial Approach

Answer 7

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Question 8

Basic Research

Answer 8

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Question 9

Applied Research

Answer 9

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Question 10

Counseling Psychology

Answer 10

A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.

Question 11

Clinical Psychology

Answer 11

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Question 12

Psychiatry

Answer 12

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy.

Question 13

Hindsight Bias

Answer 13

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we would have foreseen it. (Aka the I-knew-it-all-along-phenomenon)

Question 14

Critical Thinking

Answer 14

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 15

Theory

Answer 15

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Question 16

Hypothesis

Answer 16

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 17

Operational Definition

Answer 17

A statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as “what an intelligence test measures.”

Question 18

Replication

Answer 18

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 19

Case Study

Answer 19

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 20

Survey

Answer 20

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Question 21

Population

Answer 21

All the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Question 22

Random Sample

Answer 22

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Question 23

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 23

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Question 24

Correlation

Answer 24

The extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other. The correlation coefficient is the mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1 to +1

Question 25

Illusory Correlation

Answer 25

The perception of a relationship where non exists

Question 26

Experiment

Answer 26

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.

Question 27

Random Assignment

Answer 27

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.

Question 28

Experimental Group

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Control Group

Answer 29

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Question 30

Double-blind Procedure

Answer 30

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Question 31

Placebo Effect

Answer 31

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Question 32

Independent Variable

Answer 32

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 33

Dependent Variable

Answer 33

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 34

Culture

Answer 34

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 35

SQ3R

Answer 35

A study method incorporating five steps:
  1- Survey
  2- Question
  3- Read
  4- Rehearse
  5- Review