Test 1 Flashcards
Define Case Study
The in-depth study of a single individual or a single institution, agency, community, or other social unit. Case studies do not permit conclusions about the nature of the relationship between variables and may not be generalizable to other cases. It is often used to identify variables for future research.
Cohort Effects
Differences between subjects of cross-sectional research that have to do with experience rather than with age. Cohort effects can suggest that observed differences between different aged subjects are related to their different experiences in life instead of the differences in age.
Continuity-Discontinuity Issue
Debate about where change/development involves gradual, cumluative changes (continuity) or if there are marked shifts and distinct changes (discontinuity). By analogy, continuity:rheostat::discontinuity:light switch.
Correlation Coefficient
A statistical index of the degree of relationship between two variables. The magnitude of the coefficient expresses the strength of the relationship and the sign (+ or -) shows the direction of the relationship..
Correlational Research
Research method used to describe the type and strength of the relationship between two or more variables.
Cross-Cultural Studies
Comparing one culture with one or more different cultures with the intent to see what traits (or behavior) is similar (universal) and what is different (culture specific) across different groups of people.
Culture
A set of shared rules/behaviors that govern the behavior of the members of a certain commuity or society as well as a set of values, beliefs, and attitudes shared by most members of that community or society.
Descriptive Research
Research methods aimed at providing an accurate description of the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group. This research is a means of discovering new meaning, describing what exists, determining the frequency with which something occurs, and categorizing information.
Ethology
Stresses that biology is strongly influenced by biology. It is strongly tied to evolution and characterized by critical or sensitive periods.
Experiment
A research method in which the researcher manipulates one (or more) factors (independent variables) and records/measures the effect on other factors (dependent variables).
Hypothesis
A prediction made about the relationship between or among variables in a study based on specific theoretical framework.
Naturalistic observation
Watching and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate &/or control the situation.
Nature-nurture issue
The (longstanding) argument over the degree of influence which biology (nature) has on behavior with respect to the degree of influence experience (nuture) has on our behavior.
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Grouping people according to common occupational, educational, and economic characteristics
Stability-Change Issue
The debate about the degree to which early traits and characteristics persist through life or change as a result of maturation or experience.
Standardized Test
Test with specified content that has been administered, scored, and interpreted using standard procedures, to a representative sample of examinees for the purpose of obtaining scores..
Theory
An explanation for a set of facts or observations which is used to generate predictions about behaviors or events (hypotheses).
Behavior Genetics
Field of study seeking to discover the influence of heredity and environment on different human traits and development.
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures of DNA that come in 23 pairs. One member of each pair comes from each parent.
Down’s Syndrome (Mongolism, Trisomy 21)
Form of Mental Retardation related to the presence of an extra chromosome. IQ is typically less that 50, physical symptoms include slanted eyes, short stature, and small hands and nose. Accounts for about one-third of all cases of moderate to severe retardation in the United States..
Epigenetic View
Focus on development as an ongoing bidirectional interchange between genetics and environment
Evolutionary Psychology
Field of psychology which focuses on how evolutionary mechanisms help explain common human characteristics in cognition, development, emotion, social practices, etc.
Genes
The functional unit of the chromosome that encodes the directions for an organism’s inherited physical or mental characteristic
Genotype
A person’s actual genetic material (expressed or unexpressed).
Phenotype
The way a person’s genotype is expressed in observed and measurable characteristics.
Apgar Scale
Commonly used method to assess infant health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. It evaluates the infant’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, and reflex irritability.