Key Terms 1

Question 1

Applied research

Answer 1

A type of research primarily conducted to solve practical, real world problems; generally conducted outside the lab

Question 2

Archival research

Answer 2

A descriptive research technique that studies existing data to find answers to research questions

Question 3

Basic research

Answer 3

A type of research primarily conducted to advance core scientific knowledge; most often conducted in universities and research laboratories

Question 4

Behavioral perspective

Answer 4

A modern approach to psychology that emphasizes objective, observable, environmental influences on overt behavior

Question 5

Biological perspective

Answer 5

Modern approach to psych that focuses on genetics and biological processes

Question 6

Biopsychosocial model

Answer 6

An integrative, unifying theme of modern psychology that sees biological, psychological, and social processes as interrelated and interacting influences

Question 7

Case study

Answer 7

A descriptive research technique involving an in depth study of a single research participant or a small group of individuals

Question 8

Cognitive perspective

Answer 8

A modern approach to psychology that focuses on the mental processes used in thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

Question 9

Control group

Answer 9

The group that is not manipulated (ex. Receives no treatment) during an experiment; participants who are NOT exposed to the independent variable

Question 10

Correlations research

Answer 10

A type of research that examines possible relations between variables; designed to meet the goal of prediction

Question 11

Correlation coefficient

Answer 11

A number from -1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables

Question 12

Debriefing

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Dependent variable (DV)

Answer 13

The variable that is observed and measured for change; the factor that is affected by(or dependent on) the independent variable

Question 14

Double blind study

Answer 14

An experimental technique in which both the researcher and the participants are unaware of (blind to) who is in the experimental or control groups

Question 15

Ethnocentrism

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Evolutionary perspective

Answer 16

A modern approach to psychology that stresses natural selection, adaptation, and reproduction

Question 17

Experimental group

Answer 17

The group that is manipulated(ex. Received treatment) in an experiment; participants who are exposed to the independent variable (IV)

Question 18

Experimental research

Answer 18

A type of research that involves the manipulation and control of variables to determine abuse and effect; designed to meet the goal of explanation

Question 19

Humanistic perspective

Answer 19

A modern approach to psychology that perceives human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking; it emphasizes free will and self actualization

Question 20

Hypothesis

Answer 20

A tentative and testable explanation (or “educated guess”) about the relationship between two or more variables; a testable prediction or question

Question 21

Independent variable

Answer 21

The variable that is manipulated and controlled by the experimenter to determine its casual effect on the dependent variable; also called the treatment variable

Question 22

Informed consent

Answer 22

A participants agreement to take part in a study after being told what to expect

Question 23

Meta-analysis

Answer 23

A statistical technique for combining and analyzing data from many studies in order to determine overall trends

Question 24

Naturalistic observation

Answer 24

A descriptive research technique that observes and records behavior and mental processes in a natural, real world setting

Question 25

Operational definition

Answer 25

A precise description of how the variables in a study will be observed, manipulated, and measured

Question 26

Placebo

Answer 26

An inactive substance or fake treatment used as a control technique in experiments; often used in drug research

Question 27

Psychoanalytic perspective

Answer 27

An earlier approach to psychology developed by sigmund freud, which focuses on unconscious processes, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences

Question 28

Psychodynamic perspective

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Psychology

Answer 29

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Question 30

Random assignment

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Sociocultural perspective

Answer 31

A modern approach to psychology that emphasizes social interaction and the cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes

Question 32

Scientific method

Answer 32

The cyclical and cumulative research process used for gathering and interpreting objective info in a way that minimizes error and yields dependable results

Question 33

Survey/interview

Answer 33

A descriptive research technique that questions a large sample of people to assess their behaviors and mental processes

Question 34

Statistical significance

Answer 34

A statistical statement of how likely it is that a study’s result occurred merely by chance

Question 35

Theory

Answer 35

A well-substantiated explanation for a phenomenon or a group of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed by previous research

Question 36

Unconscious

Answer 36

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