AP Psychology Exam Review Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is psychology?

A treatment for psychological disorders

The science of behavior and mental processes (correct)

A form of therapy

An experimental method in studying behavior

What does positive psychology focus on?

People's positive experiences and characteristics, such as happiness, optimism, and resilience.

Who are biological psychologists?

Psychologists who analyze the biological factors influencing behavior and mental processes.

What do developmental psychologists seek to understand?

How behavior and mental processes change over a lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of cognitive psychologists?

The mental processes underlying judgment, decision-making, problem-solving, and other aspects of human thought. Signup and view all the answers

What do clinical and counseling psychologists aim to do?

Assess, understand, and change abnormal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What do educational psychologists study?

Methods by which instructors teach and students learn. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of school psychologists?

Test IQs, diagnose academic problems, and improve student achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What do forensic psychologists do?

Assist in jury selection and evaluate defendants' mental competence to stand trial. Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychodynamic approach?

A view that emphasizes the interplay of unconscious mental processes in determining human thought, feelings, and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the behavioral approach emphasize?

Human behavior is determined mainly by what a person has learned, especially from rewards and punishments. Signup and view all the answers

What is critical thinking?

The process of assessing claims and making judgments on the basis of well-supported evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis in scientific research?

A prediction stated as a specific, testable proposition about a phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable in research?

A factor or characteristic that is manipulated or measured. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theory?

An integrated set of propositions that can account for, predict, and suggest ways of controlling certain phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

What does naturalistic observation involve?

Watching without interfering as a phenomenon occurs in the natural environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a case study?

A research method involving the intensive examination of a phenomenon in a particular individual, group, or situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a survey in research?

A method that involves giving people questionnaires or special interviews to obtain descriptions of their attitudes, beliefs, and opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a control group?

The group that receives no treatment or provides a baseline for comparison. Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable?

The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dependent variable?

The factor affected by the independent variable in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a placebo?

A treatment that contains no active ingredient but produces an effect due to belief. Signup and view all the answers

What is experimenter bias?

A confounding variable where an experimenter unintentionally influences participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is double-blind design?

A research design where neither the experimenter nor participants know who is in which group. Signup and view all the answers

What is sampling in research?

The process of selecting participants from the population that the researcher wishes to study. Signup and view all the answers

What is a correlation coefficient?

A statistic that summarizes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables. Signup and view all the answers

What does statistically significant refer to?

A correlation or difference between groups larger than expected by chance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychology Overview

Psychology is defined as the science of behavior and mental processes.
Fields include various specializations with different focuses on human experience and behavior.

Positive Psychology

Focuses on positive human experiences and traits, including happiness, optimism, and resilience.

Psychological Specializations

Biological Psychologists: Investigate biological influences on behavior and mental processes.
Developmental Psychologists: Explore changes in behavior and mental processes throughout the lifespan.
Cognitive Psychologists: Study mental processes involved in judgment, decision making, and problem solving. Also known as experimental psychologists.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: Work to assess, understand, and modify abnormal behavior.
Educational Psychologists: Research effective teaching methods and learning strategies to enhance educational outcomes.
School Psychologists: Diagnose academic issues, test IQ, and develop programs to aid student achievement.
Forensic Psychologists: Assist in legal cases, evaluate defendants' mental competency, and are involved in jury selection.

Psychological Approaches

Psychodynamic Approach: Developed by Freud, emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in shaping thoughts and behaviors.
Behavioral Approach: Highlights the influence of learned behaviors, especially through rewards and punishments.

Research Methodology

Critical Thinking: Evaluating claims based on sound evidence rather than assumptions.
Hypothesis: A testable prediction about a phenomenon in research.
Variable: Any characteristic that can be measured or manipulated in a study.
Theory: A cohesive set of propositions used for explanation, prediction, and control in research.

Research Techniques

Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.
Case Study: In-depth examination of a specific individual or group.
Survey: Collecting data through questionnaires or interviews to assess beliefs and attitudes.

Experimental Concepts

Control Group: The baseline group in experiments that does not receive the treatment.
Independent Variable: The manipulated factor in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: The outcome affected by changes in the independent variable.
Placebo: A non-active treatment that can produce results due to participant belief.
Experimenter Bias: When the researcher's expectations inadvertently influence the participants' responses.
Double-Blind Design: A method where neither the participants nor the experimenters know group assignments to reduce bias.

Sampling and Data Analysis

Sampling: Selecting participants from a larger population for study.
Correlation Coefficient: A statistic representing the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Statistically Significant: Indicates a correlation or difference in groups that exceeds chance expectations.

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Description

Prepare for the AP Psychology exam with these comprehensive flashcards that cover essential terms and concepts. Each card includes a key term along with its definition, helping you to reinforce your understanding of psychology. Perfect for quick reviews and study sessions!