Unit 0 - Research Methods
What is the term for a testable prediction in a research study?
Hypothesis
What part of the neuron receives incoming messages?
The dendrite
What is encoding in the memory process?
The process of getting information into memory.
Learning by watching and imitating the behavior of others is known as...
When people are less likely to help when others are present is known as the...
Bystander effect
A state of worry or fear about future events is...
Anxiety
What is an operational definition, and why is it important in an AAQ?
It clearly defines how a variable is measured, allowing for replication and validity.
What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?
The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is measured.
During which stage of sleep does most dreaming occur, and what is the most unique characteristic of this stage?
REM; the brain is active but the body is paralyzed
What is the difference between recall and recognition in memory?
Recall is retrieving information without cues (like an essay); recognition is identifying the correct info from choices (like multiple choice)
What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?
Positive adds a stimulus, negative removes one, but both increase behavior.
When a person experiences discomfort from holding two conflicting beliefs or behaviors, they are experiencing...
Cognitive dissonance
Persistent sadness or loss of interest is a common symptom of what disorder?
Major depressive disorder
What statistical concept shows how much scores vary from the mean?
Standard deviation
What is a double-blind procedure, and why is it used?
Neither participants nor researchers know who is in which group; it prevents bias.
What is the function of the myelin sheath?
It speeds up and protects neural transmission
What’s the difference between explicit and implicit memory?
Explicit is conscious (facts); implicit is unconscious (skills)
What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?
Classical is involuntary; operant is voluntary
What did Milgram’s shock experiment test?
Obedience to authority
The DSM-5 is...
It is the official manual used by mental health professionals in the United States and many other countries to diagnose and classify mental disorders.
In the EBQ, you are unlikely to get any points if you do not have a...
Claim or thesis statement
What does a p-value of less than 0.05 indicate?
The results are statistically significant.
What does the neurotransmitter serotonin regulate?
Mood, sleep, hunger, arousal
The tendency to seek info that supports our beliefs is known as...
Confirmation bias
A student hears a loud bang every time a locker slams shut in the hallway. Over time, just hearing the locker slam makes the student flinch.
What is the Unconditioned Response (UCR) in this situation?
The flinch in response to the loud bang.
What are the Big Five personality traits?
Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism
In OCD, _______ are unwanted thoughts; _______ are actions meant to reduce anxiety
obsessions; compulsions
What does it mean to generalize findings from a study? Is there a true correct answer to the generalizability part of the AAQ?
To apply the results to a larger population beyond the sample; no because you can discuss many different populations for the generalizability point
A researcher finds a strong correlation between hours of sleep and test scores. Why can’t they say sleep causes better scores?
Because correlation does not equal causation.
What is the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
Sympathetic arouses the body for action ("fight or flight"); parasympathetic calms the body down ("rest and digest")
Remembering items at the beginning and end of a list better than items in the middle is known as the
Serial positioning effect
Identify the age range of one of Erikson's psychosocial stages and the conflict associated with it
Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 1 year)
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1–3 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt (3–6 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (6–12 years)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (12–18 years)
Intimacy vs. Isolation (18–40 years)
Generativity vs. Stagnation (40–65 years)
Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years)
What is fundamental attribution error?
Overestimating personal traits and underestimating the situation in others' behavior.
What are positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Positive: hallucinations, delusions; Negative: lack of emotion, social withdrawal.
List all potential ethical guidelines that may appear on the AAQ
Informed consent
Confidentiality
Right to withdraw
Protection from harm
Debriefing