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.
