AP PYSCH EXAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Normal curve

- a symmetrical curve on a data

research on humans have rules to safeguard the particapents in a study> theese rules are

- benefits out way the good - keep harm and discomfort limited - it has to be volentery

Control group

- in an experiment, a control group is a group NOT exposed to the treatment to try and prove a variable.

qualitative research

- methods rely on in depth narrative date

Developing arguments or the scientific attitude

1) Curiosity- does it work 2) Skepticism- How do you know? sifting reality from fantasy requaries skepticism which is an attitude that's not necessarily doubting everything but also not believing everything 3) Humility- That was unexpected, let's explore further ! Researchers must be willing to be surprised and follow new ideas. People and other animals don't always behave as our ideas and beliefs would predict

What is a confounding variable

A confounding variable in this design is the topic of the essay for this can have many effects on both the independent and dependent variable. People might know more about the topic than another and that will change the results of the test. Another confounding variable in this design is how educated a person is, for that will influence the time it takes to complete the essay, and how good the essay is.

population

A group of individuals thatnt belong to the same species and live in the same area

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which the factors vary together with naturalistic observation, surveys, and other data collected by scientists can show us that one trait or behavior tends to coincide with another.

Negative correlation

A negative correlation, also known as an inverse correlation, is a relationship between two variables that move in opposite directions

Scientific method

A self correcting process for evaluating ideas with observations and analysis, Peer reviewers- other scientists who are experts, they evaluate the theory originality and accuracy

standard deviation

A standard deviation (or σ) is a measure of how dispersed the data is in relation to the mean. Low, or small, standard deviation indicates data are clustered tightly around the mean, and high, or large, standard deviation indicates data are more spread out.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between 2 variables. It helps us figure out how closely two things vary together. This can predict the other variables

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between 2 variables. It helps us figure out how closely two things vary together. This can predict the other variables.

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp. --> sleep studies

5). How can an experimenter try to eliminate experimenter bias

An experimenter can try and eliminate bias by using a random control group. A random control group is when the experimenter chooses the people in the experiment at random, so there is no bias involved. Volunteers should not be included because they could be biased. Another way to eliminate bias would be for the experimenter to not know the random control group and not have it be a big group of friends.

Social desirability bias

Bias from other people's responses, following the herd

Critical inquiry

Critical inquiry is defined as the act of searching, gathering, and evaluating information, ideas, and assumptions from various points of view in order to produce well-reasoned analysis and knowledge that leads to innovative ideas, applications, and questions [6].

Case study

Examines one individual group in depth in the hope of revealing things of us all

4 ethical guidelines a researcher must fallow

Four key ethical guidelines a psychology researcher must follow are: informed consent, confidentiality, protection from harm, and debriefing; these principles ensure participants are aware of the study, their information is kept private, they are not put at risk, and are fully informed about the study's purpose after participation, especially if deception was used.

Hindsight bias

Hindsight bias, also known as the knew-it-all-along phenomenon or creeping determinism, is the common tendency for people to perceive past events as having been more predictable than they were

questions critical thinkers ask

How do they know that Does the evidence prove that What is this person's agenda Is the conclusion based on an anecdote What alternate explanations are possible

informed consent

Informed consent is when participants give permission prior to taking part in a study or experiment. The participants understand that their participation is voluntary and they accept the possible risks, benefits, or outcomes of the study. Debriefing is an interview between the researchers and the participants.

Patterns in life occur more than people expect, hot and cold streaks in baseball

Our common sense thinking is flawed due to three powerful tendences, however scientific inquiry can help

Quantative research

Quantitative research is when scientists decide how to test and measure the behavior or mental process being looked at. In this method scientists use numerical data to represent degrees of a variable. Yes, my experimental design falls into this category because I used scatter plots to measure specifically the score of the people with adhd who ate red dye 40 and the regular people with adhd.

Three principles to infer on a big population

Representative samples are better than biased samples Bigger samples are better than smaller ones More estimates are better than fewer estimates

How does critical thinking feed scientific attitude

The scientific attitude prepares us to think harder and smarter called critical thinking Critical thinking- examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence and asses conclusions

Effect size

the strength of the relationship between two variables. The larger the effect size, the more one variable can be explained by another

negative skew

the tail of the graph goes toward the negative direction

lesion

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue\\ brain will build new pathways after damage like that

Psychologists study animals

to learn about people because we share common biology and it benefits both of them

Quantitative research

use numerical data to represent degrees of a variable

Rat lesions

use rats to lesion parts pf their brain to see what happen and whats still functioning after the lesion

MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging)

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of brain tissue

Forebrain

very stafisticated thoughts

placebo effect

when a person's physical or mental health appears to improve after taking a placebo or 'dummy' treatment

Hindbrain location

where brain meets spinal cord

What is validity? (In terms of an experimental design)

Validity is a key goal of an experimental design. Which means the experiment tests what it's supposed to measure. Scientists and researchers strive for validity because it can tell someone if the experiment worked or not. It can also help scientists figure out if the test was accurate. Validity is a measure of how accurate the test results are.

Histogram

a bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

standard deviation

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

sampling bias

a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Scatterplot

a graphed cluster of dots that represent the value of 2 variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the 2 variables. A little scatter represents a high correlation

effect size

a measure of the strength of the relationship between two variables or the extent of an experimental effect

skewed distribution

a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Experiment

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more independent variables ( factors) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process.

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

CT scan (computed tomography)

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body shows structural damage, like after a brain injury

Statistical significance

a statement of how likely is that a result When averages from 2 samples are precise estimates of their respective populations then any difference between the 2 samples is more likely to be statistically significant

P value

a statistical mesurment that helps determine if a hypothsis is supported by data - lower value means the results are less likely due to chance

Meta analysis-

a statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies

meta anaylsys

a statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies Statistical significance- a statement of how likely is that a result

statistical significance

a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance p= 0.3 3% chance its due to chance

Experiments

aim to manipulate the independent vairble

Variable

anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Random assignment-

assigning participants to experimental control groups by chance thus minimizing biases. No volunteers, it must be random.

random assignment

assigning participants to experimental control groups by chance thus minimizing biases. No volunteers, it must be random.

Biological, psychological, social culture influence all feed into

behavior and mental process

Illusory correlation

brain tricks you to remember good times, gambler remembers the gambles he rolled good An illusory correlation is a cognitive bias where individuals mistakenly perceive a relationship between two variables when no such relationship exists or is exaggerated.

reliability

can be achieved through replication which is fostered by operational definitions

expirments isolate

cause and effect

Correlation makes

clear the relationship, they keep us from falsely assuming a relationship exists

midbrain

communication highway

IRBS

comprised of at least 5 ppl who make sure the research and testing is not harmful to the patient to ensure scientific integrity

Forebrain

consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities

biological lenses

dna genetics netural selection genetic mutations behavior passed down biological prepareness ( why do we fear dogs not snakes, sociaty) genes responding to environment

Psychological lenses

emotional response contingent learned fear and expectation- ( parents forgot to pick child up from school, while waiting the little girl hears a ice cream truck song and now every time she hers it it gives her anxiety)

Confounding variable

factors other than those being studies that may affect their interpretation of the results.

Confounding variable-

factors other than those being studies that may affect their interpretation of the results.

midbrain

found atop the brainstem. it connects the hindbrain with the forebrain Helps: controls motor movement transmits auiditory and visual information

positive correlation

graph goes up

3 roadblocks to critical thinking

hindsight bias, overconfidence, perceiving patterns in random events

Control group

in an experiment, a control group is a group NOT EXPOSED to the treatment to try and prove a variable.

Independent variable-

in an experiment, the factor that is being manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

injects radioactive form of glucose to highlight areas detects brain activity

hindbrain

life or death

positive skew

mean > median, the tail of the graph is toward the positive direction

normal curve

mean median and mode are all the same

MEG scan (magnetoencephalography)

measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity uses too see how tasks' affect the brain

hind brain

medulla, pons, cerebellum helps: survival functions like breathing, sleeping, alertness MOST PRIMITIVE PART OF BRAIN

Double blind procedure

neither participants nor those who administer the drug and collect data will know which group is receiving the treatment

Inferential statistics

numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Descriptive statistics.

numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation. mean median and mode!!!

Single blind procedure

patients are given blindfolds, they are uninformed about what drug they will be taken

social and cultural lenses`

presence of others religion, social clubs family freinds

Naturalistic observation

recording responses in natural environments

pons

right above medulla and it controls sleep

Nueroplasticity

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma recognize actual trauma like a concussion change for good or bad

Validity

the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Range of scores

the gap between the lowest and highest provides only a crude estimate of the variation

medula

the hindbrains structure that is the brainstems base - controls heartbeat and breathing

median

the middle score in a distribution, half are above and half are below

median

the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Mode

the most frequently occurring scores in a distribution

brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Percentile rank

the percentage of scores that are lower than the given score skewed distribution- a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

falsifiable

the possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiments

Debriefing

the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Non experimental methods of study

Case studies Naturalistic observation Surveys