Psychology Chapter 1

Question 0

Scientific method

Answer 0

A way to answer questions that requires empirical research and databased conclusions.

Question 1

Science of human development

Answer 1

The science that seeks to understand how and why people of all ages and circumstances change or remain the same over time.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A specific prediction that can be tested.

Question 3

Empirical evidence

Answer 3

Evidence based on data from scientific observation or experiments; not theoretical.

Question 4

Replication

Answer 4

The repetition of a study using different participants.

Question 5

Nature

Answer 5

A general term for the traits, capacities, and limitations that each individual inherits genetically from his or her parents at the moment of conception.

Question 6

Nurture

Answer 6

A general term for all the environmental influences that affect development after an individual is conceived.

Question 7

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 7

The term used to describe an infants unexpected death; when a seemingly healthy baby, usually between two and six months old, suddenly stops breathing and dies unexpectedly while asleep.

Question 8

Lifespan perspective

Answer 8

An approach to the study of human development that takes into account all phases of life, not just childhood or adulthood.

Question 9

Critical period

Answer 9

A time when a particular type of developmental growth (in body or behavior) must have been if it is ever going to happen.

Question 10

Sensitive period

Answer 10

A time when a certain type of development is most likely to happen or happens most easily, although it may still happen later with more difficulty. For example, early childhood is considered a sensitive period for language learning.

Question 11

Ecological systems approach

Answer 11

The view that in the study of human development, the person should be considered in all the contexts and interactions that constitute a life.

Question 12

Cohort

Answer 12

A group defined by the shared age of its members, who, because they were born at about the same time, move through life together, experiencing the same historical events and cultural shifts.

Question 13

Socioeconomic status (SES)

Answer 13

A person’s position in society as determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, and place of residence.

Question 14

Culture

Answer 14

A system of shared beliefs, norms, behaviors, and expectations that persist over time and prescribe social behavior and assumptions.

Question 15

Social construction

Answer 15

An idea that is based on shared perceptions, not on objective reality. Many age-related terms, such as childhood, adolescence, yuppie, and senior citizen are this.

Question 16

Difference-equals-deficit error

Answer 16

The mistaken belief that a deviation from some norm is necessarily inferior to behavior or characteristics that meet the standard.

Question 17

Ethnic group

Answer 17

People whose ancestors were born in the same region and often share a language, culture, and religion.

Question 18

Race

Answer 18

A group of people regarded as distinct from other groups on the basis of appearance, typically skin color.

Question 19

Epigenetic

Answer 19

Referring to the effects of environmental forces on the expression of an individual’s, or a species, genetic inheritance.

Question 20

Dynamic systems approach

Answer 20

A view of human development as an ongoing, ever changing interaction between a person’s physical and emotional being and between the person and every aspect of his or her environment, including the family and society.

Question 21

Differential sensitivity

Answer 21

The idea that some people are more vulnerable than others are to certain experiences, usually because of genetic differences.

Question 22

Developmental theory

Answer 22

A group of ideas, assumptions, and generalizations that interpret and illuminate the thousands of observations that have been made about human growth.

Question 23

Psychoanalytic theory

Answer 23

A theory of human development that holds the irrational, unconscious drives and motives, often originating in childhood, underlie human behavior.

Question 24

Behaviorism

Answer 24

A theory of human development that studies observable behavior. It’s also called learning theory because it describes the laws and processes by which behavior is learned.

Question 25

Conditioning

Answer 25

The processes by which response becomes linked to particular stimuli and learning takes place. This word is used to emphasize the importance of repeated practice.

Question 26

Classical conditioning

Answer 26

A learning process in which a meaningful stimulus (such as a smell of food to a hungry animal) gradually comes to be connected with a neutral stimulus (such as a particular sound) that had no special meaning before the learning process began.

Question 27

Operant conditioning

Answer 27

A learning process in which a particular action is followed either by something desired (which makes the person or animal more likely to repeat the action) or by something unwanted (which most action less likely to be repeated.)

Question 28

Reinforcement

Answer 28

A technique for conditioning a particular behavior in which that behavior is followed by something desired, such as food for hungry animal or a welcome smile for a lonely person.

Question 29

Social learning theory

Answer 29

An extension of behaviorism that emphasizes that other people influence each person’s behavior. The theory’s basic principle is that even without specific reinforcement, every individual learns many things through observation and imitation of other people.

Question 30

Cognitive theory

Answer 30

A theory of human development that focuses on changes in how people think over time. According to this theory, our thoughts shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Question 31

Humanism

Answer 31

A theory that stresses the potential of all human beings for good and the belief that all people have the same basic needs, regardless of culture, gender, or background.

Question 32

Scientific observation

Answer 32

A method of testing a hypothesis obtrusively watching and recording participants behavior in a systematic and objective manner–in a natural setting, in a laboratory, or in searches of archival data.

Question 33

Experiment

Answer 33

A research method in which the researcher tries to determine the cause and effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one (called the independent variable) and then observing and recording the ensuing changes in the other (called the dependent variable)

Question 34

Independent variable

Answer 34

In an experiment, the variable that is introduced to see what effect it has on the dependent variable.

Question 35

Dependent variable

Answer 35

In an experiment, the variable that may change as a result of whatever new condition or situation the experimenter adds.

Question 36

Survey

Answer 36

A research method in which information is collected from a large number of people by interviews, written questionnaires, or some other means.

Question 37

Case study

Answer 37

An in-depth study of one person, usually requires personal interviews to collect background information and various follow-up discussions, tests, questionnaires, and so on.

Question 38

Cross-sectional research

Answer 38

A research design that compares groups of people who differ in age but are similar in other important characteristics.

Question 39

Longitudinal research

Answer 39

A research design in which the same individuals are followed over time and their development is repeatedly assessed.

Question 40

Cross sectional research

Answer 40

A hybrid research design in which researchers first study several groups of people of different ages and then follow those groups over the years.

Question 41

Correlation

Answer 41

A number that indicates the degree of relationship between two variables, expressed in terms of the likelihood that one variable will (or will not) occur when the other variable does (or does not.)

Question 42

Quantitative research

Answer 42

Research that provides data that can be expressed with numbers, such as ranks or scales.

Question 43

Qualitative research

Answer 43

Research that considers qualities instead of quantities. Description of particular conditions and participants expressed ideas are often part of qualitative studies.