Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Barnum Effect
The tendency to accept certain information as true, such as character assessments or photos
Perspectives
Specific approach to observing an understanding human behavior, which can contain various theories
Empirical Evidence
Information gathered directly or indirectly through observation or experimentation
Structuralism
Studied the basic elements of conscious experience, focused on introspection or looking inward. Interested in the question “what?” the mind structure
Functionalism
The mines function, focused on the functional purpose of a behavior interested in the question “why”
Basic Psychology
Scientific study of mind and behavior
Behaviorism
Study of observable behavior believes that feelings are inconsequential. All that matters is observable behavior.
Cognitive Psychology
The study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate and solve problems
Psychology
Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Applied Psychology
Study, inability to solve problems with human behavior, such as health issues, workplace issues, or education
Biological Research
One way to conceptualize and explain the human experience. Explains mental processes and behavior by focusing on the function of the nervous system at the cellular and structural level.
Socio-Cultural Perspective
Cross control patterns of attitudes and behavior
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of the evolution of behavior in the mind, using principles of natural selection
Psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) psychology
focused on the unconscious mind (Freud)
Humanistic Perspective
Unique aspects of the human experience
Developmental Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies, physical, cognitive and social change throughout the lifespan
Educational Psychology
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning
Personality Psychology
The study of individuals characteristic patterns of thinking feeling and acting
Social Psychology
Interpersonal behavior in the role of social forces and governing behavior; includes attitude, formation, prejudice, attraction, etc.
Applied Research
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
I/O
The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces
Clinical Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies and treats people with psychological disorders
Psychiatry
A branch of medicine, dealing with psychological disorders; practice by physicians, who are licensed to provide medical treatments, as well as psychological therapy
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it
Overconfident
The tendency to be over confident
Hypothesis
A testible prediction, often implied by a theory
Sample
Method by which participants are selected to be included in a study
Random Selection
Everyone in the group stance, and equal chance of being chosen to minimize any bias
Operational Definition
Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
Replication
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced
Case Study
A descriptive technique, in which one individual or group is studied in depth, in the hope of revealing principles
Survey
A descriptive technique for obtaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative of a group
Naturalistic Observation
Descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior, and naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation
Sampling Bias
A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative example
Population
All those in a grouping studied, from which samples may be drawn
Random Selection
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors very together, less of how well either factor predicts the other
Correlation Coefficient
A statistical in index of the relationship between two things
Illusionary Correlation
Perceiving a relationship, or none exist, a perceiving a stronger than actual relationship
Random Assignment
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing pre-existing differences between the different groups
Double Blind Procedure
An experimental procedure in with both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants receive the treatment or placebo
Experimental Group
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control Group
In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrast with the experimental group, and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
Descriptive Statistics
numerical data used to measure, and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.
Standard Deviation
A computer measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Independent Variable
Any experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
Confounding Variable
A factor, other than the factor being studied, that might influence a studies results
Dependent Variable
An experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable may change, when the independent variable is manipulated
Informed Consent
Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
Debriefing
The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose in any deceptions to its participants
Measures of Central Tendency
The mean, median, and mode of a sample
Mean
The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtain by adding the scores, and then dividing by the number of scores
Median
The middle source and distribution, half the scores are above it and half are below it
Mode
The most frequently occurring scores in distribution
Range
The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Positive Skewness
I distribution is positively skewed when its tail is more pronounced on the right side than it is on the left (+1)
Negative Skewness
A longer tail on the left side of the distribution (-1)
