Midterm Flashcards
‘Define psychology
Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
List the past approaches
Scientific, empirical, structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt
Scientific method of psychology
Based on verifiable evidence obtained
Describe the scientific method loop
Hypotheses, experiment, results, conclusion, restart.
Empirical approach
Belief that science should rely on observation
Structuralism
Relies on introspection (Wilhelm Wundt)
Define introspection and its weakness
Reporting ones own conscious mental experience. Weakness: Cannot be observed, unreliable, results vary
Functionalism
Emphasized how the functions of consciousness helps people adapt to environment.
Gestalt psychology
Looked at how the brain works by studying its perception
List the modern approaches
Psychodynamic, biological, evolutionary, cognitive, humanistic, behavioral, sociocultural
Psychodynamic approach
We are motivated by irrational desires
Who is the famous psychodynamic psychologist and what did he believe
Freud believed behavior came from unconscious drive
Biological approach
Operation of our brains influence behavior
Evolutionary approach
Behavior and mental processes is seen in terms of genetic adaptation (Charles Darwin)( Survival of the fittest)
Cognitive Approach
Behaviors are a result of the way we process information
Define cognitions
Thoughts, perceptions, memories, states of consciousness
Humanistic approach
Emphasizes human ability, growth, and the positive side of human nature
Behavioral approach
Actions are caused by environmental stimuli rather than mental process
Sociocultural approach
Emphasizes importance of social interaction and learning
Survey
Questions are asked and subjects report their own answers
Naturalistic Observation
Subjects are observed in their natural environment
Case study
One person is studied to reveal universal principles
Longitudinal study
One group or subject is studied for an extended period of time to observe long term changes
Cross-sectional study
Studies a cross section of a population
Correlation studies
Studying the relationship between two variables
Positive correlation
As one variable increases the other increases. As one variable deacreases the other decreases. Correlation is betwwen 0 and 1
Negative correlation
As one variable increases the other decreases. Correlation is between -1 and 0
Zero correlation
No relationship exists between two variables
How to know strength of correlation
Closer to 1/-1, stronger the correlation
Illusory correlation
Perception of a relationship where none exists
Regression towards the mean
Tendency for extremely high or low scores to move closer towards the mean when replicated
Define hypothesis
Statement that describes the relationship between the IV and DV
Define IV
Variable changed or manipulated. the cause
Define DV
The measured outcome. the effect
Define Experimental group
Receives the treatment (IV)
Define control group
Measured against; receives the placebo
Define confounding variable
Variables have unwanted influence on the outcome of an experiment
Define hindsight bias
Persons tendency to believe they had predicted an outcome
Define overconfidence
Tendency to be more confident than correct
Define random selection
Each subject of the sample has an equal likelihood to be chosen for the experimental group
Double blind study
Both the subject and the administrator do not know the nature of the IV
Single blind study
Experimenter is aware who is assigned
Demand characteristics
Cues indicating the aim of the study that cause subjects to change their behaviors based on what they think the research is about
Personal bias
Researcher allows their personal beliefs to affect the outcome
Expectancy bias
Researcher allows their expectations to affect the outcome
Validity
Experiment measures what it is meant to
Reliability
Experiment is replicated several times with similar results
Mean
average score. add all scores then divide by the amount of scores
Median
Represented by score that separates upper half from lower half. Middle number when scores are in numerical order, including repeats
Mode
Score that occurs the most often
Positive skew
Downward slope
Negative skew
Upward slope
Normal distribution (no skew)
Bell shaped curve
Mean median and mode relationship in a positive skew
mode<median<mean
Mean median and mode relationship in a negative skew
mean<median<mode
Mean median mode relationship in a normal distribution
mean=median=mode
Standard deviation
average distance between scores and their mean
Bio-psychology
Studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes
3 main tasks of a neuron
Receive information, carry information, pass the information
List the 3 types of neurons
Sensory neurons, Interneurons, Motor neurons
Sensory Neurons function
Communicate all sensory experience from the sense organs to the brain
Interneurons function
Relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons
Motor neurons
Transport messages away from the brain, to muscles organs and glands
Dendrite
Receives incoming messages from other neurons
Myelin sheath
Protects the axon
Axon
Neural impulses are sent through