Psychology Terminology: Empiricism, Experiment, Functionalism, and Structuralism

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.

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.

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.

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>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.</p> Signup and view all the answers