Key Terms

Question 1

Capacity

Answer 1

The amount of information that can be stored in memory

Question 2

Computer metaphor

Answer 2

The idea that memory is like a computer: input of information to storage to output/retrieval

Question 3

Duration

Answer 3

The length of time a memory can be held

Question 4

Encoding

Answer 4

The way information is processed either according to how it looks, sounds or by its meaning

Question 5

Chunking

Answer 5

Putting individual pieces of information into a group in order to store it better

Question 6

Confounding variable

Answer 6

A variable that is not the independent variable that affects the dependent variable.
A variable that makes it look as though you have found an effect in the experiment although you have not.

Question 7

Operationalise

Answer 7

To make measurable; state clearly how you are going to measure a variable

Question 8

True/Lab experiment

Answer 8

A type of research method; a highly controlled experiment in which the impact of extraneous /confounding variables are minimal and the internal validity maximised.

Question 9

Quasi/Natural experiment

Answer 9

When the independent variable occurs naturally and is not manipulated for the purpose of the experiment (eg. gender)

Question 10

Extraneous variable

Answer 10

Any variable other than the independent variable that might affect the dependent variable

Question 11

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 11

A hypothesis where you predict that there will be a difference between the conditions but are unsure of what that difference will be (eg. unsure which will be faster, only that one will definitely be faster than the other)

Question 12

Participant variable

Answer 12

A feature or characteristic or trait of a participant that may affect the dependent variable

Question 13

Situational variable

Answer 13

A feature or characteristic of the situation/experiment that may affect the dependent variable

Question 14

Random error

Answer 14

Confounding variables which were not predicted and therefore were uncontrolled

Question 15

Constant error

Answer 15

Confounding variables that were predicted and therefore controlled (occur in all conditions)

Question 16

Internal validity

Answer 16

The extent to which we can be confident that any change in the dependent variable is the direct result of the manipulation of the independent variable

Question 17

Random

Answer 17

Everything has an equal chance of being selected for any condition - can lead to random error

Question 18

Ecological validity

Answer 18

A type of external validity; mundane realism. The extent to which the false environment is representative of the real world

Question 19

Demand characteristics

Answer 19

When the participants guess the purpose of the study and alter their behaviour

Question 20

Population validity

Answer 20

A type of external validity; the extent to which we can generalise the findings and conclusions of the study to people other than the participants

Question 21

Standard deviation

Answer 21

Measures of dispersion; how varied the scores are within a data set

Question 22

Practical applications (usefulness)

Answer 22

To take the findings of a study and apply them to a real life situation

Question 23

Positive correlation

Answer 23

When one co-variable increases in size/value, so too does the second co-variable

Question 24

Negative correlation

Answer 24

When one co-variable increases in size/value, the second co-variable decreases

Question 25

Relationship

Answer 25

A correlation measures this between variables

Question 26

Weak

Answer 26

The name given to a correlation between two co-variables where as one increases so does the other but not to the same degree

Question 27

Strong

Answer 27

The name given to two co-variables where both increase/decrease by the same degree

Question 28

Scatter graph

Answer 28

A graphical representation of a correlation

Question 29

Zero

Answer 29

The name given to a correlation where there is no relationship at all between the co-variables

Question 30

Idiographic approach

Answer 30

Believes that everyone is unique, therefore you have to investigate the individual to learn about the individual, and the findings cannot be generalised to others

Question 31

Nomothetic approach

Answer 31

Believes that everyone is the same, and what is learnt about one person can be generalised and applied to others

Question 32

Fixation

Answer 32

The idea that someone may become stuck or partially stuck in at least one stage of the psychodevelopment of sex

Question 33

Falsifiability

Answer 33

A key desirable feature of science, the ability to test a theory to prove it is wrong