introduction to psychology exam 1 Flashcards
Structuralism
Analyzes consciousness into its basic elements and investigates how these elements are related; depends on introspection- the careful systematic self observation of one’s conscious experience.
Functionalism
based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than the structure of consciousness; Analyzed consciousness into “elements.” Influenced by William James.
William Wundt
Founder of psychology
Sigmund Freud
Developed psychoanalytic theory, an attempt to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.
Skinner
questions free will as behaviorism.
Evolutionary psychology
Examines behavioral process in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations.
Positive Psychology
Approach to psychology that uses theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence.
Psychiatry
A branch of medicine involving the diagnosis of psychological disorders.
Clinical psychology
Nonmedically diagnoses and treats psychological problems and disorders.
Theme 1
Psychology is empirical.
Theme 2
Psychology is theoretically diverse.
Theme 3
Psychology evolves in sociohistorical context.
Theme 4
Behavior is determined by multiple causes.
Theme 5
behavior is shaped by cultural heritage.
Theme 6
Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.
Theme 7
People’s experience of the world is highly subjective.
Theory
Well developed set of ideas that propose an explanation for observed phenomenon.
Hypothesis
Tentative and testable statement (prediction) about the relationship between two or more variables.
Steps in a scientific method
- Formulate a testable hypothesis (Operational definition): a definition that describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.
- Select research method and design (Participants/subjects): the persons (or animals) whose behavior is systematically observed in a study.
- Collect the data (data collection techniques): procedures for making empirical observations and measurements.
- Report the findings (journal): a periodical that publishes technical and scholarly material, usually in a narrowly defined area of inquiry.
Key components for good research
- Fairness: implies that all data must be considered when evaluating a hypothesis.
- Falsiable: it should be possible to disprove a theory or hypothesis by experimental results.
- Predictability: implies that a theory should enable us to make predictions about future events.
- Verifiability: an experiment must be replicable by another researcher.
Advantages of scientific approach
- Clarity and precision
- Relative intolerance of error
- Research methods
Independent Variable
A condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable.
Dependent variable
the variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulation of the independent variable. It is usually a measurement of some aspect of the subject’s behavior.
Experimental group
the subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.
Control group
the subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group.
Extraneous variable
any variables, other than the independent variable, that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.
Confounding of variables
when two variables are linked in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.
Random assignment
a procedure in which all subjects in a study have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition.
Correlation
two variables are related to each other.
Positive correlation
indicates that two variables covary (change together) in the same direction.
Negative correlation
indicates that two variables covary in opposite directions.
Correlation coefficient
a numerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables.
- Varies between 0 and +1.00 (positive correlation) or between 0 and -1.00 (negative correlation).
Correlation and prediction
as a correlation increases in strength (gets closer to either -1.00 or +1.00), the ability to predict one variable based on knowledge of the other variable increases.
Correlation and causation
correlation is not equivalent to causation.
Sampling bias
sample is not representative.
Sample
collection of subjects selected for observation in an empirical study.
Population
larger collection of animals or people from which it is drawn.
Placebo
resembles effect but is not actually the treatment.
Placebo effect
when they treat the placebo as if it actually works.
Social desirability bias
giving socially approved answers to questions about oneself when responding to surveys.
Experimenter bias
a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.
Experimenter bias
a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.
Experimenter bias
a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.
Experimenter bias
a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.
Debriefing
when an experiment involves deception, participants are told complete and truthful information about the experiment as its conclusion.
Replacement
methods which avoid or replace the use of animals in research.
Reduction
use of methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of animals.
Refinement
use of methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animals’ welfare for the animals uses.
