Psychology Vocabulary Review

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of abnormal?

an unusual behavior (correct)

useless; irrelevant

typical; normal

common; expected

What does cognition refer to?

a person's ability to think

What is a control group?

group used for comparison that doesn't receive experimental treatment

Define correlation.

relationship between two variables Signup and view all the answers

What does debriefing involve?

revealing and explaining all aspects of an experiment to a participant Signup and view all the answers

What are descriptive statistics?

mathematical summaries of results Signup and view all the answers

What does discipline refer to?

a branch of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Define empathy.

identifying with someone's situation or feelings Signup and view all the answers

What do ethics refer to?

rules of conduct; moral principles Signup and view all the answers

What is an experimental group?

group that receives the experimental treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is informed consent?

statement from a research participant that says he/she understands what is about to happen and still agrees to continue Signup and view all the answers

What does Institutional Review Board (IRB) do?

approves experiments conducted by a college Signup and view all the answers

Define introspection.

to look within yourself Signup and view all the answers

What is the mean?

sum of all numbers divided by the total number of scores; the average Signup and view all the answers

What is the median?

the middle number in a set of ordered numbers Signup and view all the answers

Define mode.

the number that occurs most often in a given set of numbers Signup and view all the answers

What does perception refer to?

a personal view of a situation; ability to understand the senses Signup and view all the answers

Define perspective.

a specific way of thinking or view Signup and view all the answers

What is a population?

a whole group of people Signup and view all the answers

What is a psychologist?

mental health professional who has a Ph.D. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychology?

the study of how people think and behave Signup and view all the answers

Define psychophysics.

psychology field that studies physical stimuli and human sensations and mental states Signup and view all the answers

What does qualitative research explore?

the 'why' and 'how' of situations Signup and view all the answers

What is a sample?

a group of people selected from a population Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific method?

experimental method used to find fact and separate opinions Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable?

something that is likely to change Signup and view all the answers

What is the zone of proximal development?

the gap between a person's current level of development and the potential development that can be achieved Signup and view all the answers

What personal skills do you learn through studying psychology? (List at least three)

tolerance, patience, empathy Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of social influence.

Your friends are wearing designer clothes, so you do the same. Signup and view all the answers

Determine which could be a sample chosen from a population.

twelve students who play the French horn in the brass section of an orchestra Signup and view all the answers

Which study is best for examining the lifespan of twins who grew up apart?

longitudinal study Signup and view all the answers

How does a good hypothesis help your research experiment?

You can predict the outcome of your experiment. Signup and view all the answers

Calculate the mean of 12, 15, 6, 4, and 3.

8 Signup and view all the answers

Determine the median of 15, 17, 33, 45, 60.

33 Signup and view all the answers

Locate the mode of 12, 3, 5, 17, 3, 18, 5, 11, 11, 15, 3, 9, 3.

3 Signup and view all the answers

What does informed consent do?

informs a person of everything they are about to experience; gives a person a chance to back out of an experiment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms in Psychology

Abnormal: Refers to behaviors or characteristics that are unusual or different from what is typically expected.
Cognition: Involves the mental processes related to thinking, knowing, remembering, and decision-making.
Control Group: A baseline group in experiments that does not receive the treatment being tested, used for comparison.
Correlation: Describes the relationship and association between two different variables, indicating how one may influence the other.
Debrief: The process after an experiment where participants are informed about the study's purpose, procedures, and any deceptive elements.
Descriptive Statistics: Include mathematical tools that summarize and describe the features of collected data from research.
Discipline: Refers to a specific branch of knowledge or field of study, such as psychology.
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings or perspectives of another individual.
Ethics: Encompasses the moral principles and rules of conduct governing research practices to ensure fairness and respect for participants.
Experimental Group: A group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention being tested.
Informed Consent: A participant’s agreement to partake in research, acknowledging their understanding of the study's procedures and potential risks.
Institutional Review Board (IRB): A committee that reviews and approves research studies conducted within academic institutions to ensure ethical standards are met.
Introspection: The examination of one's own thoughts and feelings through self-reflection.
Mean: Calculated by summing all values in a dataset and dividing by the number of values; represents the average.
Median: The middle value in a sorted list of numbers, providing a measure of central tendency that is less affected by outliers.
Mode: The most frequently occurring number in a dataset, which can highlight common values.
Perception: Refers to an individual's interpretation and awareness of sensory information, shaping personal experiences.
Perspective: A specific way of viewing and thinking about a situation or concept, often influenced by personal beliefs or experiences.
Population: The total group of individuals or cases that a study intends to analyze or represent.
Psychologist: A mental health professional trained specifically in the study of human behavior and mental processes, often holding a Ph.D.
Psychology: The scientific study focused on understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave.
Psychophysics: A subfield of psychology that examines the relationships between physical stimuli and the sensory perceptions and responses they evoke.
Qualitative: Research methods that aim to understand underlying reasons and motivations, focusing on "why" and "how."
Sample: A subset of individuals selected from a larger population for the purpose of conducting research.
Scientific Method: A systematic approach to inquiry that involves forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions based on evidence.
Variable: Any factor or characteristic in research that can be changed or controlled and may affect the outcome of the study.
Zone of Proximal Development: A concept that represents the difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.

Skills and Examples

Personal Skills: Studying psychology cultivates tolerance, patience, and empathy in individuals.
Social Influence Examples: Engagement in behaviors influenced by friends, family, or authoritative figures, such as adopting styles or study habits based on peer behaviors.
Sample Example: A specific group of twelve students from a larger population who play the French horn, illustrating a selection criterion in research.
Research Methodology: Longitudinal studies are ideal for examining phenomena over time, such as the development and differences in twins raised apart.
Hypothesis Importance: A well-formed hypothesis provides a clear prediction, guiding the research direction and outcomes.
Statistical Calculations:
- Mean Calculation: The average of the numbers 12, 15, 6, 4, and 3 is found to be 8.
- Median Calculation: For the set 15, 17, 33, 45, and 60, the median value is 33.
- Mode Identification: In the dataset 12, 3, 5, 17, 3, 18, 5, 11, 11, 15, 3, 9, 3, the mode is 3.
Informed Consent Functionality: Ensures participants are fully aware of the study they are entering and retains the right to withdraw at any point.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers key psychological terms essential for understanding the field. Each term is defined to enhance your cognitive skills and comprehension of experimental methods. Dive into these important concepts and prepare to excel in your psychology studies!