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
