Psychology Terminology: Empiricism, Experiment, Functionalism, and Structuralism

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Questions and Answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Empiricism = The philosophy that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation. Experiment = A research method in which variables are manipulated to observe their effects on other variables under controlled conditions. Psychology = The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Theory = A well-supported explanation for a broad range of observations and phenomena.

Match the following research types with their descriptions:

Basic Research = Research aimed at solving practical problems or improving real-world situations. Applied Research = Research aimed at expanding scientific knowledge and understanding, without immediate practical application. Experiment = A research method in which variables are manipulated to observe their effects on other variables under controlled conditions. Functionalism = A school of psychology that emphasizes the adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes.

Match the following terms with their descriptions in the field of psychology:

Nature-Nurture Issue = The debate concerning the relative contributions of genetic inheritance versus environmental influences to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Hindsight Bias = The tendency to perceive events as more predictable or obvious after they have occurred. Psychiatry = A branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental disorders. Structuralism = An early school of psychology that aimed to analyze the basic elements of consciousness through introspection.

Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of research and psychology:

Hypothesis = A testable prediction or statement about the relationship between variables. Critical Thinking = The objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a reasoned judgment. Theory = A well-supported explanation for a broad range of observations and phenomena. Experiment = A research method in which variables are manipulated to observe their effects on other variables under controlled conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions in the field of psychology and research:

Functionalism = A school of psychology that emphasizes the adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes. Structuralism = An early school of psychology that aimed to analyze the basic elements of consciousness through introspection. Basic Research = Research aimed at expanding scientific knowledge and understanding, without immediate practical application. Psychiatry = A branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental disorders. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions in the context of psychology and research:

Empiricism = The philosophy that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation. Applied Research = Research aimed at solving practical problems or improving real-world situations. Critical Thinking = The objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a reasoned judgment. Nature-Nurture Issue = The debate concerning the relative contributions of genetic inheritance versus environmental influences to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Match the research terms with their definitions:

Operational Definition = A statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. Correlation Coefficient = A clear and specific definition of a variable in terms of the procedures or operations used to measure or manipulate it. Case Study = An in-depth examination of a single individual or small group, often used in clinical or qualitative research. Survey = A research method that gathers information from a sample of people through questionnaires or interviews. Signup and view all the answers

Match the research concepts with their descriptions:

Random Sample = A sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Population = The entire group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying. Naturalistic Observation = The observation of behavior in its natural setting, without intervention or manipulation by the researcher. Double-Blind Procedure = A research design in which both the participants and the experimenters are unaware of who is receiving the treatment and who is receiving the placebo. Signup and view all the answers

Match the statistical concepts with their definitions:

Regression Toward the Mean = The tendency for extreme scores or behaviors to return toward the average over time. Normal Curve = A bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of scores in a population, with most scores clustered around the mean. Statistical Significance = The likelihood that a result or relationship is not due to chance, based on statistical analysis. Illusory Correlation = The perception of a relationship between two variables when none actually exists. Signup and view all the answers

Match the research methodologies with their descriptions:

Experimental Condition = The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or manipulation being studied. Control Condition = The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or manipulation being studied, used as a baseline for comparison. Random Assignment = The process of assigning participants to experimental and control groups randomly, to minimize pre-existing differences between the groups. Replication = The process of repeating a study or experiment to determine if similar results are obtained. Signup and view all the answers

Match the research terms with their definitions:

Independent Variable = The variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of manipulations to the independent variable. Dependent Variable = The variable that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter. Placebo Effect = The phenomenon in which a participant's belief in the effectiveness of a treatment influences their response, even if the treatment itself has no therapeutic effect. Culture = The shared values, beliefs, norms, and customs of a group of people, which influence their behavior and perception. Signup and view all the answers

Match the research concepts with their descriptions:

Surveys = A research method that gathers information from a single individual or small group, often used in clinical or qualitative research. Case Study = A research method that gathers information from a sample of people through questionnaires or interviews. Naturalistic Observation = The process of repeating a study or experiment to determine if similar results are obtained. Replication = The observation of behavior in its natural setting, without intervention or manipulation by the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophy and Research

Empiricism: Knowledge primarily comes from sensory experience and observation.
Experiment: A research method involving manipulation of variables to observe their effects under controlled conditions.

Schools of Psychology

Functionalism: Emphasizes adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes.
Structuralism: Analyzes basic elements of consciousness through introspection.

Psychology and Research

Psychology: Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Basic Research: Expands scientific knowledge and understanding, without immediate practical application.
Applied Research: Solves practical problems or improves real-world situations.

Branches of Psychology

Psychiatry: Focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental disorders.

Biases and Thinking

Hindsight Bias: Tendency to perceive events as more predictable or obvious after they have occurred.
Critical Thinking: Objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a reasoned judgment.

Theories and Hypotheses

Theory: A well-supported explanation for a broad range of observations and phenomena.
Hypothesis: A testable prediction or statement about the relationship between variables.

Research Methods

Operational Definition: Clear and specific definition of a variable in terms of measurement or manipulation.
Replication: Process of repeating a study or experiment to determine if similar results are obtained.
Case Study: In-depth examination of a single individual or small group, often used in clinical or qualitative research.
Survey: Gathers information from a sample of people through questionnaires or interviews.

Sampling and Population

Population: The entire group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying.
Random Sample: A sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Observation and Correlation

Naturalistic Observation: Observation of behavior in its natural setting, without intervention or manipulation by the researcher.
Correlation Coefficient: Statistical measure indicating the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Illusory Correlation: Perception of a relationship between two variables when none actually exists.

Experimental Design

Placebo Effect: Phenomenon in which a participant's belief in the effectiveness of a treatment influences their response, even if the treatment itself has no therapeutic effect.
Double-Blind Procedure: Research design in which both the participants and the experimenters are unaware of who is receiving the treatment and who is receiving the placebo.
Experimental Condition: Group in an experiment that receives the treatment or manipulation being studied.
Control Condition: Group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or manipulation, used as a baseline for comparison.
Random Assignment: Process of assigning participants to experimental and control groups randomly, to minimize pre-existing differences between the groups.

Variables and Culture

Independent Variable: Variable that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter.
Dependent Variable: Variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of manipulations to the independent variable.
Culture: Shared values, beliefs, norms, and customs of a group of people, which influence their behavior and perception.

Statistics

Statistical Significance: Likelihood that a result or relationship is not due to chance, based on statistical analysis.
Regression Toward the Mean: Tendency for extreme scores or behaviors to return toward the average over time.
Normal Curve: Bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of scores in a population, with most scores clustered around the mean.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in psychology, including empiricism, experiments, functionalism, and structuralism. Learn how these terms relate to the study of human behavior and mental processes. Improve your knowledge of psychology terminology and theories!