Psychology Basics
What is psychology the study of?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research?
Descriptive research observes and records behavior, while experimental research manipulates variables to establish cause and effect.
What does APA stand for?
American Psychological Association
What is a correlation?
A correlation is a measure of the relationship between two variables.
Which perspective focuses on observable behavior and its environmental causes?
The behavioral perspective.
Name two of the four primary goals of psychology.
To describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.
What is an independent variable in an experiment?
The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is when participants are fully informed about the nature of the study and agree to participate.
What does a correlation coefficient of +1.00 mean?
It means there is a perfect positive relationship between two variables.
Which perspective in psychology focuses on unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences?
The psychoanalytic perspective
What are the steps of the scientific method in psychology?
Forming a hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions
In an experiment, what is the purpose of the control group?
The control group serves as a comparison by not receiving the experimental treatment
Name one reason why it’s important to have ethical guidelines in psychological research.
Ethical guidelines protect the well-being, rights, and dignity of participants.
Can correlation prove causation? Why or why not?
No, correlation cannot prove causation because it only shows a relationship, not a direct cause-and-effect connection.
What does the cognitive perspective study?
The cognitive perspective studies mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving.
Who is considered the father of modern psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt
What is the dependent variable in an experiment?
The dependent variable is what is measured or observed to see if it changes due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
What is the purpose of an APA Board?
An IRB reviews research proposals to ensure they follow ethical guidelines and protect participants from harm.
What is a negative correlation?
A negative correlation occurs when one variable increases while the other decreases
What is one key concept of the humanistic perspective?
The belief that individuals have free will and the potential for personal growth.
What distinguishes psychology from things like astrology?
Psychology uses the scientific method and evidence-based practices, while practices rely on non-scientific beliefs or anecdotal evidence.
Create a hypothesis about the relationship between sleep and academic performance.
Example hypothesis: "Students who get at least 8 hours of sleep will perform better on exams than those who get less sleep."
What is one major ethical guideline for the use of animals in research?
Animals must be treated humanely, and researchers must minimize harm or discomfort.
Give an example of two variables that might be correlated but not causally related.
Ice cream sales and drowning rates are correlated, but eating ice cream doesn’t cause drowning; both increase during warmer months.
Name two modern psychological perspectives and briefly explain each.
Cognitive perspective (focuses on mental processes like thinking) and biological perspective (focuses on the brain, genetics, and neurotransmitters' influence on behavior).