Research & Ethics
A variable that is measured in an experiment.
What is the Dependent Variable?
This system includes the brain and spinal cord.
What is the central nervous system?
A form of associative learning that happens when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eventually triggering a conditioned response
What is Classical Conditioning
This type of motivation comes from internal values or enjoyment.
What is intrinsic motivation?
The tendency to notice and remember information that confirms our beliefs.
What is confirmation bias?
Participants must be told the purpose, risks, and their right to withdraw.
What is informed consent?
The tiny gap between neurons where communication occurs through chemical messengers.
What is the synapse?
A behavior increases because something desirable is added.
What is positive reinforcement?
Motivation driven by external rewards or pressures.
What is extrinsic motivation?
When two variables move together, but one does not necessarily cause the other.
What is correlation?
This step explains the study afterward, especially if deception was used.
What is debriefing?
The chemical messengers that cross the synapse.
What are neurotransmitters?
Any stimulus that naturally, innately, and automatically triggers a specific physiological or emotional response without any prior learning or association
What is an Uncoditioned Stimulus?
The physical activation of the body during emotion.
What is physiological arousal?
Explaining behavior using internal traits rather than situational factors.
What is the fundamental attribution error?
Participants are randomly placed into groups to reduce bias.
What is random assignment?
The division responsible for “rest and digest.” Also connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
A decrease in response after repeated exposure to a stimulus.
What is habituation?
A longer-lasting emotional state that is less intense than an emotion and not always tied to a specific cause.
What is Mood?
These are the ethical guidelines psychologists must follow, including principles like beneficence, integrity, and respect for persons.
What are APA ethical guidelines (or APA ethics code)?
A third variable that may influence both the independent and dependent variables.
What is a confounding variable?
The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections.
What is neuroplasticity?
A behavior decreases because something undesireable is added.
What is positive punishment?
The theory that emotion depends on both arousal and cognitive labeling.
What is the two-factor theory of emotion?
A precise definition of how a variable is measured or manipulated.
What is an operational definition?