Exam 1 COPY Flashcards
Hindsight bias
tendency to believe after learning an outcome that one would have foreseen it is also known as the I knew it all along phenomenon
Hypothesis
Is a testable prediction often implied by a theory
Operational definition
a description of something in terms of the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) by which it could be observed and measured
Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in research study For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures also known as operationalization.
Case study
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depthin hopes of revealing universal principles indepth analysis of individuals or groups
Naturalistic observation
A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation. It does not explain behavior, and it does not control all factors that may influence behavior.
Surveys
technique for obtaining -self reported, attitudes or behaviors by questioning a random sample of a group
Random sampling
Every person in the entire population being studied has an equal chance of participating
CAN’T show cause-and-effect because researches cannot control variables
A sample that clearly represents a population because each member has equal chance of inclusion. Population of all those in a group being studied from which random samples may be drawn important to note that this does not refer to a countries whole population.
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and thus how well each factor predicts the other
Correlation Examples in Statistics. An example of a positive correlation includes calories burned by exercise, where with the increase in the exercise level, the calories burned will also increase.
Correlation coefficient
statistical index of the relationship between two things from -1.00 - +1.00.
-98 is a strong is a correlation
-52 is moderate
.12 weak
When one variable increases as the other increases the correlation is positive; when one decreases as the other increases it is negative
Experiment
A research method in which an investigator manipulates, one or more factors
test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact
Uses Independent variables to reserve the effect on someone’s behavior and mental processes, the dependent variable by random assignment of participants
**scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact
Experimental group
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment or one version the independent variable
Control group
In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment contrasts with the experimental group,and serves as a comparison for evaluating the fact of the treatment. The group given the placebo.
Independent variable
The factor introduced that is being manipulated the introduced & manipulated variable whose effect is being studied
Dependent variable
THE OUTCOME
It is something that depends on other factors. For example, a test score could be a dependent variable because it could change depending on several factors such as how much you studied, how much sleep you got the night before you took the test, or even how hungry you were when you took it.
Confounding variable
In an experiment, a factor, other than the factor being studied that might influence studies results
Example of a confounding variable You collect data on sunburns and ice cream consumption. You find that higher ice cream consumption is associated with a higher probability of sunburn. Does that mean ice cream consumption causes sunburn?
Ethics
Code of the APA and the BPS that outlines standards for safeguarding human, participants and animals Scientific scrutiny and replication to help guard against the fabrication of data
Measure of central tendency
Mode Mean Median
Mode
 the most frequently occurring score in a distribution
Mean
The arithmetic averageof a distribution obtained by adding the scores, and then dividing by the number of the scores
Median
The middle score in a distribution half the scores are above it, and the other half or below it
Normal curve, bell shaped curve
A symmetrical bell shaped curve that describe the distribution of many types of data, most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near extremes The bell shade distribution is so typically that because the curve informs the normal curve.
Phrenology
German physician Franz Gall propose of bumps on the skull could reveal a persons, mental abilitiesand character traits
Neuroplasty
The brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage, or by building, new pathways, based on experience
Parts of a Nueron
Cell body
Nucleus
Dendrites
Axon
Myelin sheath
Terminal branches (Axon)
Axon potential
Cell body
The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus, the cells, life support center
Dendrites
Receives messages from other cells. Often a bushy branching extension that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses towards the cell body.
Axon
Nerve Fiber
Pass his messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles and glands
The function of the axon is to transmit information to different neurons, muscles, and glands
Myelin sheath
Covers the axon in some neurons and helps speed neural impulses. A fatty tissue layer, sick mentally encasing the axons of some neurons enables vastly greater transmission speed as you’re all impulses hot from one Aud to the next.
Terminal branches of axon
Form junctions with other cells
Action potentials
A brief electrical charge that travels down it’s Axon happens when our neurons are stimulated enough that their membranes electrical charge reaches a threshold that prompts each of the neurons to fire an impulse an action potential which travels down the Saxon and transmits messages to other neurons, muscles and glands
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at the junction is called synaptic gap.
All or none response
A neurons reaction of either firing with a full shrink response, or not firing. Either it’s working or it’s not working.
How do drugs affect neurotransmission
Drugs, and other chemicals affect, brain, chemistry, often by either exciting or inhibiting neurons firing
Agonist a molecule that increases neurotransmitters action antagonista molecule that inhibits or blocks in neurotransmitters action
Types of neurons
 Sensory
Motor
Interneurons