Key Terms 1 Flashcards
Applied research
A type of research primarily conducted to solve practical, real world problems; generally conducted outside the lab
Archival research
A descriptive research technique that studies existing data to find answers to research questions
Basic research
A type of research primarily conducted to advance core scientific knowledge; most often conducted in universities and research laboratories
Behavioral perspective
A modern approach to psychology that emphasizes objective, observable, environmental influences on overt behavior
Biological perspective
Modern approach to psych that focuses on genetics and biological processes
Biopsychosocial model
An integrative, unifying theme of modern psychology that sees biological, psychological, and social processes as interrelated and interacting influences
Case study
A descriptive research technique involving an in depth study of a single research participant or a small group of individuals
Cognitive perspective
A modern approach to psychology that focuses on the mental processes used in thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
Control group
The group that is not manipulated (ex. Receives no treatment) during an experiment; participants who are NOT exposed to the independent variable
Correlations research
A type of research that examines possible relations between variables; designed to meet the goal of prediction
Correlation coefficient
A number from -1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables
Debriefing
A discussion procedure conducted at the end of an experiment or study; participants are informed of the study’s design and purpose, possible misconceptions are clarified, questions are answered, and explanations are provided for any possible deception
Dependent variable (DV)
The variable that is observed and measured for change; the factor that is affected by(or dependent on) the independent variable
Double blind study
An experimental technique in which both the researcher and the participants are unaware of (blind to) who is in the experimental or control groups
Ethnocentrism
The belief that ones culture is typical of all cultures; also, viewing ones own ethnic group (or culture) as central and “correct” and judging others according to this standard
Evolutionary perspective
A modern approach to psychology that stresses natural selection, adaptation, and reproduction
Experimental group
The group that is manipulated(ex. Received treatment) in an experiment; participants who are exposed to the independent variable (IV)
Experimental research
A type of research that involves the manipulation and control of variables to determine abuse and effect; designed to meet the goal of explanation
Humanistic perspective
A modern approach to psychology that perceives human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking; it emphasizes free will and self actualization
Hypothesis
A tentative and testable explanation (or “educated guess”) about the relationship between two or more variables; a testable prediction or question
Independent variable
The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the experimenter to determine its casual effect on the dependent variable; also called the treatment variable
Informed consent
A participants agreement to take part in a study after being told what to expect
Meta-analysis
A statistical technique for combining and analyzing data from many studies in order to determine overall trends
Naturalistic observation
A descriptive research technique that observes and records behavior and mental processes in a natural, real world setting
Operational definition
A precise description of how the variables in a study will be observed, manipulated, and measured
Placebo
An inactive substance or fake treatment used as a control technique in experiments; often used in drug research
Psychoanalytic perspective
An earlier approach to psychology developed by sigmund freud, which focuses on unconscious processes, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences
Psychodynamic perspective
A modern approach to psychology that emphasizes unconscious dynamics, motives, conflicts, and past experiences; based on the psychoanalytic approach, but focuses more on social and cultural factors, and less on sexual drives
Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Random assignment
A research technique for assigning participants to experimental or control conditions so that each participant has an equal chance of being in either group; minimizes the possibility of biases or pre-existing differences within or between groups
Sociocultural perspective
A modern approach to psychology that emphasizes social interaction and the cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes
Scientific method
The cyclical and cumulative research process used for gathering and interpreting objective info in a way that minimizes error and yields dependable results
Survey/interview
A descriptive research technique that questions a large sample of people to assess their behaviors and mental processes
Statistical significance
A statistical statement of how likely it is that a study’s result occurred merely by chance
Theory
A well-substantiated explanation for a phenomenon or a group of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed by previous research
Unconscious
Freud’s term for the reservoir of largely unacceptable thoughts, feelings, memories, and other info that lies beneath conscious awareness(chapter 2); in modern terms, subliminal processing that lies beneath the absolute threshold
