Psychology in Action-Karen Huffman Chapter One

Double-blind Study

Both the researcher and the participants are unaware (blind) of who is in the experiemental or control group

Psychology's Main Goals

Description (what), Explanation (why), Prediction (when), and Change (how can we improve)

Correlational Research

Research method in which variables are observed or measured (without directly manipulatin) to identify relationships between them. (does NOT imply causation)

Descriptive Research

Research methods that observe and record behavior and mental processe without producing causal explanations

Biological Research

Scientific studes of the brain and other part sof the nervous system

Theory

Systematic, interrelated set of concepts that explain a body of data

Survey

Type of descriptive research where a large sample of people are questioned to asses their behaviors and attitudes

Case Study

Type of descriptive research where an in-depth study is done on a single participant

Naturalistic Observation

Type of descriptive research where observation and recording behavior is done in the participant's natural state or habitat

Information-processing Approach

Used by many cognitive psychologists. Likens the mind to a computer that sequentially takes in information, processes it, and then produces reponse

Random Assignment

Using chance methods to assign participants to experimental or control conditions to avoid extraneous variables

Placebo Effect

When patients ar egiven a placebo and have a percieved or actual improvement in a medical condition

Nature-Nurture Controversy

argues that humans are being controlled by biological and genetic factors versus the idea that they are controlled by their environment and learning

Meta-Analysis

averaging or combining the results of multiple studies to reach conclusions from the overall weight of evidence. Done when different studies report contradictory findings.

Introspection

looking inward to monitor and report on the contents of consciousness (basis for structuralism)

Psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Functionalism

strongly influenced by Darwin. Studies how the mind functions to adapt to others in their environment

Variables

the factors in an experiment. Can be independent (manipulated), dependent (measured and is affected by the independent), or extraneous (others that could affect study's outcome)

Critical thinking

the process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information

Debriefing

After completion of experiment, explaining the reason for conducting the research and clearing up and misconceptions, questions, or concerns

Ethnocentrism

Believing one's culture is typical of all cultures and viewing their own as central and correct.

Informed Consent

APA guideline regarding human participants that says the participant must agree to take part in the study after being told what to expect

Structuralism

Founded by Edward Titchener (student of Wundt). seeks to identify the elements of thought through introspection and then determine how these basic building blocks (structures) form the whole experience

Psychoanalytic Approach

Founded by Sigmund Freud. States that the unconscious thoughts and desires greatly influence behavior.

Placebo

Inactive substance or fake treatment used as a control technique, usually in drug research, or given to a patient

Experimental Research

Most powerful research method. Allows experiments to manipulate, isolate, and control variables and determine cause and effect.

Biopsychosocial Model

Most widely accepted approach, views bilogical processes, psychological factors, and social forces as interrelated influences that interact with the seven major perspectives.

Participant Bias

Occurs when experiemtnal conditions influence the participant's behavior or mental processes

Sample bias

Occurs when research paricipants are not representtive of the larger population

Experimenter bias

Occurs when researcher influences reserach results in the expected direction

Humanistic

One of the major psychology perspectives. Central figures: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking.

Biological

One of the major psychology perspectives. Emphasizes genetics and biological processes in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

Sociocultural

One of the major psychology perspectives. Emphasizes social interaction and cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes

Evolutionary

One of the major psychology perspectives. Focuses on natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior and mental processes.

Cognitive

One of the major psychology perspectives. Focuses on thinking, perceiving, and information processing.

Behavioral

One of the major psychology perspectives. Founded by John B Watson. Emphasizes objective, observable environmental influences on overt behavior.

Psychodynamic

One of the major psychology perspectives. Remnants of Freudian thoughts. Focuses on unconscious dynamics, internal motives, conflicts, and childhood experiences.

Single-blind Study

Only the researcher, and not the participants, knows who is in either the experiemental or control group

Pseudopsychologies

Rely on nonscientific or deliberately fraudelent methods to explain personality

Basic Research

Research conducted to advance scientific knowledge

Applied Research

Research designed to solve practical problems

Cultural Universals

The aspects of human behavior and mental processes that are true and pancultural/universal for all people.