AP Psychology Unit 1: Introductory PDF

Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and the mental processes behind that behavior Nature-Nurture Issue: To what extent is behavior a result of biological or a result of environmental factors **Principle Approaches to Psychology** Behavioral Approach: Behavioral reactions to environmental...

Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and the mental processes behind that behavior Nature-Nurture Issue: To what extent is behavior a result of biological or a result of environmental factors **Principle Approaches to Psychology** Behavioral Approach: Behavioral reactions to environmental stimuli. Thus, learning is a result of experience. The mind is not studied bc it cannot be seen; only observable behavior is studied. → all believe in nurture Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Approach: How unconscious conflicts, instincts(Id), motives, and defenses(ego) influence behavior. → your behavior is out of your control Humanistic Approach: The individual potential for growth and the role of unique perceptions in growth towards one's potential. → self-actualization: becoming what you want to be, realizing your full potential / but not science, more like a motivational quote Biological Approach: Physiological and biochemical factors that determine behavior and mental processes. (chemical levels in the brain) Cognitive Approach: How we perceive, process, and interpret information. Focuses on our thinking and reasoning as well as our use of language. (two ppl get the same info but interpret differently) Evolutionary Approach: How natural selection favored behaviors that contributed to the survival and spread of our distant ancestors' genes. (All the phobias might have been necessary back then to survive so ppl still have them though they don't need to) (This is reductive, easy to make stereotypes, ignores history, and goes backward from the final product to seek evidence, not predicting) Sociocultural Approach: How social and cultural differences affect behavior. Biopsychosocial Approach(Today's): Integrates biological processes, psychological(cognitive) factors, and sociocultural influences to provide a more complete picture of behavior and mental processes. Eclecticism: Using perspectives from a variety of different approaches **Research Methods** - - - - - - - - - **Study Designs** 1. a. b. c. i. 1. 2. ii. iii. iv. v. 3. d. vi. 4. 5. e. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. 6. a. 2. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. xii. xiii. xiv. 3. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. xv. xvi. xvii. xviii. xix. xx. xxi. **Statistical Reasoning** 1. a. i. 1. a. b. c. 2. d. e. f. 2. b. ii. **+** Longitudinal Studies: follow the same group of ppl over a period of time(months, years) Cross-Sectional Studies: researchers calculate different age groups **at the same time** - Meta-Analysis: a study that compares the findings of multiple other studies on the same thing **Ethics** Institutional Review Board: review study applications + determine whether they should be funded Participant Confidentiality / Anonymity: protecting participants' information from anyone who is not related to the study Informed Consent: tell beforehand what could happen Debriefing: after the study, ppl are told the "true" nature of the study (if you lied(deception)) People cannot be coerced(forced) to participate (giving money X, threatening w grades by Professor X) You cannot hurt people either psychologically or physically