Psychology
Research
Research Again
Nervous systems
Sleep
100

Professional organization representing psychologists in the United States

American Psychological Association (APA)

100

Observational research study focusing on one or a few people

Case study (or clinical study)

100

Overall group of individuals that the researchers are interested in studying

Population
100

Protein on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach

Receptor

100

Psychotherapy that focuses on cognitive processes and problem behaviors; sometimes used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

200

Theory focusing on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior--think Freud

Psychoanalytic theory

200

Tendency to ignore evidence that disproves one's own ideas or beliefs

Confirmation bias

200

Repeating an experiment using different samples to determine the reliability of research

Replication

200

Electrical signal that moves down the neuron's axon

Action potential

200

Result of insufficient sleep on a chronic basis

Sleep debt

300

Method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, rather than a method based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities

Empirical method

300

Relationship between two or more variables; when two variables are related, one changes as the other does

Correlation

300

Experiment in which the researcher knows which participants are in the experimental group and which are in the control group

Single-blind study

300

Major extension of the soma (cell body)

Axon

300

Characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior

Wakefulness

400

Doctoral degree (doctor of psychology) that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of psychological principles in the clinical context

PsyD

400

Complete and truthful information provided to participants at the conclusion of a study involving deception

Debriefing

400

Well-developed set of ideas that propose an explanation for observed phenomena

Theory

400

The view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems

Biological perspective

400

State marked by relatively low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness that is distinct from periods of rest that occur during wakefulness

Sleep

500

Doctoral degree (doctor of philosophy) conferred in many disciplines; in psychology it focuses more on research-oriented skills than on applying principles in clinical context

PhD

500

Informing a research participant about what to expect during an experiment, any risks involved, and the implications of the research, then obtaining the person's consent to participate

Informed consent

500

Subset of individuals selected from the larger population

Sample

500

Branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons

Dendrite

500

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking

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