Vocab Flashcards
define EMPIRICISM
idea knowledge originates in experience & science should rely on observation & experimentations
define STRUCTURALISM
early school of thought promoted by Wundt & Titchener using introspection to reveal structure of mind
define FUNCTIONALISM
early school of thought promoted by James & influenced by Darwin, exploring mental & behavioral processes’ function enabling adaptation, survival, & flourishment
define EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
study of behavior & thinking using experimental method
define BEHAVIORISM
view that behaviors should be studied w/o consideration of mental processes & that any behavior can be conditioned; psychology should be objective
define HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY
historically significant perspective emphasizing potential growth of healthy people
define COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked w/cognition (& perception, thinking, memory, & language)
define PSYCHOLOGY
science of behavior & mental processes
define NATURE-NURTURE ISSUE
longstanding controversy over relative contributions genes & experiences make to development of psychological traits & behaviors
define NATURAL SELECTION
principle that among range of inherited trait variations, those reproducing & survive will most likely pass trait to next generation
define LEVELS OF ANALYSIS
differing complementary views of biological, psychological, & social-cultural to analyze any phenomenon
define BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH
integrated approach (& perspective) incorporating biological, psychological, & social-cultural levels of analysis
define BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study of observable behavior & its explanation by principles of learning
define BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study of links between biological & psychological processes
define COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study all mental activities associated w/thinking, knowing, remembering, & communicating
define EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study of evolution of behavior & mind using principles of natural selection
define PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study of how unconscious drives & conflicts to influence behaviors; uses info to treat people w/psychological disorders
define SOCIAL-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
perspective & study how situations & cultures affect our behavior & thinking
define PSYCHOMETRICS
study of measurement of human abilities, attitudes, & traits
define BASIC RESEARCH
pure science aiming to increase scientific knowledge base
define DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
studies physical, cognitive, & social change throughout life span
define EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
how psychological processes affect & enhance teaching/learning
define PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY
study of individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling & acting
define SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
study of how we think about, influence & relate to one another
define APPLIED RESEARCH
scientific study aiming to solve practical problems
define INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL (I/O) PSYCHOLOGY
application of psychological concepts & methods to optimize human behavior @ work
define HUMAN FACTORS PSYCHOLOGY
I/O psychology subfield exploring how ppl & machines interact & how machines & physical environments can be made safe & easy to use
define COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
assists people w/problems in living & achieving greater well-being
define CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
studies, assiesses, & treats ppl w/psychological disorders
define PSYCHIATRY
medicine dealing w/psychological disorders & provides medical treatments & therapy
define POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
study of human function w/goals of discovering & promoting stresgnths & virtues that help individuals & communities thrive
define COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
studies how people interact w/social environment & how social institutes affect individuals & groups
define ARCHIVAL MEASURES
data obtained from existing records & storage
define CASE STUDY
descriptive technique which 1 indiv/group studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles
define CONFOUNDING VARIABLES
factor other than independent variable that might produce effect in environment
define CONTROL GROUP
group not exposed to treatment to contrast experimental group & compare to evaluate effect of treatment
define CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
non-experimental research measuring 2 variables & understand the statistical relationship between them
define CORRELATION COEFFICIENT
statistical index of relationship between 2 variables from (-1 to +1)
define COUNTERBALANCING
technique to deal w/order effects when using repeated measures design
define DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS
cues that might indicate research objectives to participants
define DEPENDENT VARIABLES
outcome factor; the variable that may change due to manipulation of independent variable
define DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
numerical data to measure & describe characteristics of groups including measures of central tendency & variation
define DOUBLE-BLIND PROCEDURE
experiment in which both research participants & research staff are ignorant about whether participants received treatment or placebo
define EXPERIMENT
research method where investigator manipulates 1 or more factors to observe effects on some behavior/mental process
define EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
group exposed to treatment, that is, to 1 version of independent variable
define experimenter expectancy effects
how perceived expectations of observer can influence ppl being observed; aka observer expectancy effect
define EXTERNAL VALIDITY
how well outcome of research study can be expected to apply to other settings
define HYPOTHESIS
testable prediction often implied by theory
define INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
experimental factor that is manipulated whose effect is being studied
define INFERENTIAL STATISTICS
numerical data allowing one to generalize/infer sample data of probability of something true in population
define INFORMED CONSENT
ethical principle that research participants be told enough to choose whether they wish to participate
define INTERNAL VALIDITY
extent observed results represent truth in population
define MEAN
mathematical average of distribution from adding scores then dividing by number of scores
define MEDIAN
middle score where half the scores are above & half are below
define META-ANALYSIS
procedure for statistically combining results of many different research studies
define MODE
most frequently occurring score
define NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION
observing & recording behavior in naturally occurring situations w/o trying to manipulate/control situation
define NEGATIVE CORRELATION
2 variables move in opposite size & direction from each other
define OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
carefully worded statement about procedures used in study
define PLACEBO
experimental results from expectations that participants received treatment when they did not
define PLACEBO EFFECT
effect on behavior from placebo
define POPULATION
all those in group being studied from which samples may be drawn (except for national studies)
define POSITIVE CORRELATION
2 variables move in same direction
define RANDOM ASSIGNMENT
assigning participants to experimental & control groups by chance minimizing preexisting differences between different groups
define RANGE
difference between highest & lowest scores in distribution
define REPLICATION
repeating essences of study w/diff people in dif. situations to see whether basic findings extends to other participants & circumstances
define REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
group closely matching characteristics of population as whole
define SAMPLE
subset of population used in experiment
define SCATTERPLOT
graphed cluster of dots representing values of 2 variables & slope suggests direction of relationship & amnt of scatter suggests correlation
define STANDARD DEVIATION
computed measure of how much scores vary around mean
define STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE
statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
define SURVEY RESEARCH
technique for ascertaining self-reported attitudes of behaviors of particular group gen by questioning representatitve random of group
define THEORY
explanation using integrated set of principles that organizes observations & predicts behaviors/events
define UNOBTRUSIVE MEASURES
method of data collection no involving direct contact w/participants