AP Psych Chapter 1 Flashcards

Study Notes

Operational Definition

Defines variables in specific terms for measurement and manipulation in research.
Essential for understanding how psychological concepts like memory, happiness, or stress are quantified.
Example: In a study on premarital education, variables are operationally defined to assess the impact on marital quality through specific questions.

Naturalistic Observation

A descriptive research method where behaviors are observed in natural settings without detection.
Aims to identify inherent behavior patterns that may not surface in artificial environments.
Example: Observing male and female behavior during fights, grounding research in real-world scenarios.
Pros: Ethical for studying unmanipulatable behaviors; results can be generalized to real life.
Cons: Observer presence may influence behavior; weak cause-and-effect conclusions; less control over observed behavior.

Case Study

An in-depth investigation focused on an individual or small social unit, compiling extensive information from multiple sources.
Example: Examining language acquisition and its dependency on early exposure to language.
Pros: Provides rich and descriptive information; allows for deep control over the subject matter; effective for studying rare phenomena.
Cons: Limited correlation data due to small sample size; potential biases from researcher's subjective interpretation.

Survey

Structured method where individuals respond to a set of questions regarding their experiences, beliefs, or attitudes.
Example: Conducting a survey to compare male and female fantasies about wealth.
Pros: Capable of collecting data from a larger population; cost-effective and quick method for data collection.
Cons: Risk of dishonesty in responses; potential for low response rates.

Representative Sample

A sample that closely reflects the characteristics of the larger population, ensuring diversity in age, sex, race, marital status, and education.
Example: For a population where 15% are of Hispanic descent, a representative sample of 100 participants should include about 15 Hispanic individuals.

Random Selection

Process ensuring that every member of a population has an equal chance of being chosen for a study, enhancing the study's validity.

Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts from Chapter 1 of AP Psychology with these flashcards. Focus on understanding operational definitions and their significance in psychological research. Perfect for quick review and exam preparation.