Psy Ch. 1 - Introduction to Psychology

double-blind technique

(an experimental procedure where neither the participants nor the experimenter knows who is in the control group and who is in the experimental group until results have been gathered.

theory

A general principle or set of principles proposed to explain how a number of separation facts are related.

experimenter bias

A research's expectations influence the experiment's results.

hypothesis

A testable prediction about the conditions under which a particular behavior or mental process may occur

humanistic psychology

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers (1902 - 1987) the school of psychology that focuses on the uniqueness of human beings and their capacity for choice, growth, and psychological health. Theory of motivation the need for self actualization is the highest need in the hierarchy of needs.

evolutionary psychology

Adaptive human behavior environmental pressures over the course of evolution.

random assignment

Can be controlled by random assignment

structuralism

Edward B. Titchener (1867-1923) is the founder of the theory of structuralism. He was student of Wilhelm Wundt at the University of Leipzig. Titchener's ideas on how the mind worked were heavily influenced by Wundt's theory of voluntarism and his ideas of association and apperception (the passive and active combinations of elements of consciousness respectively). The goal to describe the structure of the mind in terms of the most primitive elements of mental experience.

biological psychology

Focuses on individual differences brain imaging, suffer disorder, brain light up studies structures of the brain

psychoanalysis

Founded by Signmund Freud (1856-1939). The term Frued used for both his theory of personality and his therapy for the treatment of psychological disorders; the unconscious is the primary focus of psychoanalytic theory.

sociocultural approach

How background and cultural experiences (some culture accept some culture not) effective behavior and mental processes important to understand these factors when interpreting the behaviors.

experimental group

In a experiment, the group that is exposed to the independent variable.

control group

Independent. In an experiment, the group is exposed to the same experimental environment but is not given the treatment used for comparison purposes.

correlational method

Measures degree of a relationship between two characteristics, events, or behaviors.

neuroscience

Neurotransmitters, hormones, effects of heredity medicine in understanding functions of the nervous system( medical used for better quality of life)

causal hypothesis

Predictions about a cause effect relationship between two or more variables.

What are the seven contemporary psychological perspectives?

Psychological perspectives are general points of view used for explaining people's behavior and thinking that have arisen from the major schools of thought. The seven contemporary perspectives include behavioral, psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, evolutionary, biological, and sociocultural. In taking an eclectic position, psychologists use a combination of two or more perspectives to explain a particular behavior.

What are the goals of psychology?

The four goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and influence behavior and mental processes.

sample

The portion of any population selected for study and from which generalizations are made about the population

critical thinking

The process of objectively evaluating claims, propositions, or conclusions to determine whether they follow logically from the evidence presented.

replication

The process of repeating a study to verify research findings.

cognitive psychology

The school of psychology that sees humans as active participants in their environment; studies mental processes such as memory, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, perception, language, and other forms of cognition.

psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes. That seeks to describe and explain aspects of human thought feelings, perceptions and actions.

Why do psychologists use the scientific method?

The scientific method consists of the orderly, systematic procedures researchers follow as they identify a research problem, design a study to investigate the problem, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings. Psychologists use it because it is the most objective method known for obtaining dependable knowledge.

How do researchers design useful surveys?

To be useful, surveys must involve a sample that is representative of the population to which the results will be applied. Useful surveys also avoid wording questions and in ways that influence respondents' answers and employ interviewers whose characteristics are similar to those of respondents.

independent variable

What we change: a factor or condition that deliberately manipulated to determine if it causes change in behaviors or conditions.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the cor-relational method?

When the correlation between two variables is known, information about one variable can be used to predict the other. However, a correlation cannot be used to support the conclusion that either variable causes the other.

functionalism

William James (1842 - 1910) focused on how humans and animals use mental processes in adapting to their environments. Broadened the scope of psychology to include behavior as well as mental processes.

What did the early psychologists contribute to the field?

Wundt launched the study of psychology as a formal academic discipline. One of his students, Titchener, founded the school of thought called structuralism. Functionalism was the first American school of psychology and broadened the scope of the field to include examination of behavior as well as conscious mental processes. Early female and minority psychologists had to overcome significant educational and professional barriers to work in the field. Still, many of these individuals made noteworthy contributions. Today minority group representation is growing, and more women than men obtain degrees in psychology.

correlation coefficient

a numerical value that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables; ranges from +1.00 ( a perfect positive correlation) to -1.00 ( a perfect negative correlation)

representative sample

a sample selected from the larger population in a way that important subgroups within the population are included in the same proportions as the larger population

selection bias

assignment to groups such that systematic differences between groups are present at the beginning of an experiment.

psychological perspectives

combination of approaches to explain a particular behavior. Thinking about theories and research; Descriptive research methods these methods yield descriptions of behavior and include: naturalistic and laboratory observation, case study, survey research, correlation method.

confounding variables

factors other than the independent variable that can effect results.

placebo effect

response to a treatment caused by a person's expectations, not the treatment.

Behaviorism

school of behaviorism founded by by John B. Watson (1878 - 1958), but most famous proponent was B.F. Skinner. Redefined as the "science of behavior" The school of psychology that confines itself to the study of behavior because behavior is observable and measurable and, therefore, objective and scientific.

population

the entire group of interest to researcher and to which they wish to generalize findings; a group from which a sample is chosen.

The Experimental Method

the method where researchers randomly assign participants to groups and control all conditions other than the one or more independent variables which are then manipulated to determine their effect on some behaviour measured--the dependent variable in the experiment

survey

using interviews and/or questionnaires to gather information about aptitudes, beliefs, experiences or behaviours of a group (e.g. the incidence of drug use)

dependent variable

what we measure: A factor, condition, or outcome that is measured at the end of an experiment and is pressured to vary as a result of the independent variable.

information-processing theory

An approach with cognitive psychology that uses the computer as a model for human thinking.

case study

An in depth study of one or a few participants consisting of information gathered by observation, interview, or psychological testing to provide a description of behaviour or disorder.

variable

Any condition or factor that can be manipulated, controlled or measured.

What specialty areas exist in psychology?

Psychology today is highly specialized. Clinical psychologists are members of one specialty group, a subfield that also includes school and forensic psychologists. Other important specialists in the field are counseling psychologists, physiological psychologists, experimental psychologists, developmental psychologists, educational psychologists, social psychologists, and industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists.

applied research

Research conducted specifically to solve practical problems and improve the quality of life. Applied research explores the application of psychological principles to practical problems and everyday life.

basic research

Research conducted to seek new knowledge and to explore and advance general scientific understanding. The purpose of basic research is to seek new knowledge and to expand general scientific understanding.

descriptive research methods

Research methods that yield descriptions of behavior rather than causal explanations.

naturalistic observation

Researchers observe and record behavior without trying to influence or control it-subjects are not aware of observation.

Gestalt psychology

Studies how people perceive and experience objects as whole pattern

laboratory observation

Studying behavior in a laboratory setting.

How will the SQ3R method help you master psychology?

The SQ3R method—survey, question, read, review, and recite—provides you with a systematic approach to studying the test. Using this approach to studying will help you manage your time more efficiently and give you a sense of control over your learning and academic performance.