Define psychology and use as an example
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
who was JB Watson
championed behaviorism as a new school of psychology. strongly objected Structuralism; both its method of introspection and its focus on conscious mental processes. wrote a classic book, “Behaviorism”
Define Introspection and use an example
the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes. i.e. journaling after an argument to understand your defensiveness, meditating to observe thoughts without judgment, noticing how certain foods affect your energy (mind-body connection), and reflecting on recurring patterns in relationships or career choices to guide future behavior.
Define Scientific Method and use an example
journaling after an argument to understand your defensiveness, meditating to observe thoughts without judgment, asking “Why did I react that way?” after a stressful event, noticing how certain foods affect your energy (mind-body connection), and reflecting on recurring patterns in relationships or career choices to guide future behavior. Example: observe, question, hypothesis, predict, experiment, conclude
Define hypothesis and give an example
a tentative statement that describes the relation between two or more variables. A hypothesis is often stated as a specific prediction that can be empirically tested, such as “the use of electronic media like smartphones or video games is associated with lower psychological well-being in adolescents.”
Who was BF Skinner
searched for the “lawful processes” that would explain “order in behavior”. a staunch behaviorist. Skinner strongly believed that psychology should restrict itself to studying only phenomena that could be objectively measured and verified — outwardly observable behavior and environmental events.
Define critical thinking and give an example
Actively questioning statements rather than blindly accepting them. Critical thinkers are open to new information, ideas, and claims. However, this open-mindedness is tempered by a healthy sense of skepticism. The critical thinker might ask, “What evidence supports this claim?”
Define double blind studies and give an example
an experimental control in which both the participants and the researchers are “blind,” or unaware of the treatment or condition to which the participants have been assigned. It is often used when researchers are testing the effectiveness of a procedure or drug treatment. Using a double-blind technique helps guard against the possibility that the researcher inadvertently becomes an extraneous or confounding variable in the study.
What is a treatment group. Give an example.
the subset of research participants who receive the specific intervention, manipulation, or therapy being tested. It is used to measure the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable. The results are compared against a control group to determine if the treatment caused a significant change.
What is a random sampling
The process of assigning participants to experimental conditions so that all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions or groups in the study.
What is a control group?
Group of participants exposed to the control condition of the independent variable; also called control condition.
What is a stratified/representative sample
a probability sampling technique where researchers divide a total population into smaller, non-overlapping subgroups (strata) based on shared characteristics like age, gender, or income.
What are blind studies
only the participants are unaware of their group (treatment vs. placebo), while researchers know.
what is an experimental group
Group of participants who are exposed to all experimental conditions, including the treatment condition of the independent variable; also called experimental condition.
Operational definition
A precise description of how the variables in a study will be measured, manipulated, or changed.
For example, how would you test the hypothesis that “the use of electronic media like smartphones or video games is associated with lower psychological well-being in adolescents”? To test that specific prediction, you would need to formulate an operational definition of each variable. How could you operationally define use of electronic media? Well-being? What could you objectively observe and measure?
What is psychopathology
The scientific study of the origins, symptoms, and development of psychological disorders.
What is collectivism
the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it. Collectivistic cultures emphasize the needs and goals of the group over the needs and goals of the individual.
Define individualism
Cultures that emphasize the needs and goals of the individual over the needs and goals of the group.
What is the difference between a sample and a population
A sample is a selected segment of the population used to represent the group that is being studied. A population is everyone within the particular group.
Difference between a case study, a survey, testing, and naturalistic observation
A case study is an intensive, in-depth investigation of an individual, a family, or some other social unit. A survey is a structured set of questions designed to investigate the opinions, behaviors, or characteristics of a particular group. Naturalistic Observation is the systematic observation and recording of behaviors as they occur in their natural setting.
Correlation
A correlational study examines how strongly two variables are related to, or associated with, each other. A positive is a correlational study examines how strongly two variables are related to, or associated with, each other. A negative is a correlational study examines how strongly two variables are related to, or associated with, each other.
Identify the independent and dependent variables
independent variable
A factor that is purposely manipulated to produce change in an experiment; also called a predictor variable.
dependent variable
The factor that is observed and measured for change in an experiment; also called the outcome variable.
Ethics in psychological research for humans and animals
As stated in the current APA and international ethics codes, psychologists must respect the dignity and welfare of participants. Psychologists cannot deceptively expose research participants to conditions that might cause either physical or emotional harm. At most institutions in most countries, any psychological research using human participants or animal subjects is scrutinized by an institutional review board or ethics committee before approval is granted
