Core Concepts in Psychology GCSE

Observational studies involve systematically observing and documenting naturally occurring social behaviors, while experiments manipulate variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships by controlling factors that might influence behavior.

Historical context shapes the questions psychologists ask and the methods they use. For example, Freud's theory of psychoanalysis emerged in the late 19th century, influenced by the Victorian era's emphasis on unconscious motivations and repressed emotions.

Two key ethical principles are informed consent and confidentiality. Informed consent ensures that participants understand the nature and potential risks of the study before they agree to participate. Confidentiality protects the privacy of participants' information and ensures that their identities are not disclosed.

<p>Abnormal psychology defines mental health disorders based on patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are statistically infrequent, cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, and are not simply a culturally expected response to a particular event.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The bystander effect describes the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency situation when there are other bystanders present. Diffusion of responsibility occurs when each bystander feels less personal responsibility to act as the responsibility is shared among the group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Analyzing research studies allows students to understand the methodologies used, the results obtained, and the limitations of the findings. It provides insights into the scientific process, the strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches, and the interpretation of data in a particular context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Two social issues often investigated are prejudice and aggression. Studying prejudice is important because it helps us understand the roots of discrimination and how to promote tolerance and equality. Research on aggression seeks to understand the factors that contribute to violence and how to prevent or reduce it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Psychology recognizes that cultural norms and gender roles influence psychological experiences, behavior, and development. Researchers consider these factors by conducting studies across different cultures and gender groups, analyzing data for potential differences, and interpreting findings within their cultural and gender contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The core areas of psychology are cognitive, biological, social, and developmental psychology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethical considerations ensure informed consent, confidentiality, the right to withdraw, and the avoidance of harm to participants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Memory involves three key components: encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, influencing behavior and mental processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Social influence occurs when one person's behavior is affected by another person or group, often seen through conformity and obedience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Piaget's theory outlines stages of cognitive development that describe how children's mental abilities evolve over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Schemas are mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information about the world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that affect decisions and judgments; an example is confirmation bias.</p> Signup and view all the answers