Psychology
scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Critical Thinking
process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information.
Nature-Nurture Controversy
ongoing dispute over the relative contributions of nature (hereditary) and nurture (environment)
Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic Perspective
focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts.
Behavioral Perspective
emphasizes objective, observable environmental influences on overt behavior.
Humanistic Perspective
emphasizes free-will, self-actualization, and human nature as naturally positive and growth-seeking.
Positive Psychology
scientific study of optimal human functioning, emphasizing positive emotions, traits, and institutions.
Cognitive Perspective
focuses on thinking, perceiving, and information processing.
Neuroscience/Biopsychology Perspective
emphasizes genetics and other biological processes in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
Evolutionary Perspective
focuses on natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior and mental processes.
Sociocultural
emphasizes social interaction and cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes.
Biopsychosocial Model
unifying theme of modern psychology that incorporates biological, psychological, and social processes.
Basic Research
research conducted to advance scientific knowledge
Applied Research
research designed to solve practical problems.
Meta-Analysis
statistical procedure for combining and analyzing data from many studies.
Hypothesis
specific, testable prediction about how one factor, or variable, is related to another.
Operation Definition
precise description of how the variables in a study will be observed and measured.
Theory
interrelated set of concepts that explain a body of data.
Informed Consent
participant's agreement to take part in a study after being told what to expect.
Debriefing
informing participants after the research about the purpose of the study, the nature of the anticipated results, and any deceptions used.
Experiment
carefully controlled scientific procedure that involves manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.
Experimenter Bias
occurs when researcher influences research results in the expected direction.
Ethnocentrism
we assume behaviors typical in our culture are typical in all cultures.
Sample Bias
systematic differences among the groups being studied. occurs when research participants are not representative of the larger population.
Double-Blind Study
procedure in which both the researcher and the participants are unaware (blind) of who is in the experimental or control group.
Placebo
inactive substance or fake treatment used as a control technique, usually in drug research, or given by a medical practitioner to a patient.
Random Assignment
using chance methods to assign participants to experimental or control conditions, thus minimizing the possibility of biases or preexisting differences in the groups.
Participant Bias
occurs when experimental conditions influence the participants behavior or mental processes.
Descriptive Research
research methods that observe and record behavior and mental processes without producing casual explanations.
Naturalistic Observation
observation and recording behavior and mental processes in the participant's natural state or habitat.
Survey
research technique that questions a large sample of people to asses their behaviors and attitudes.
Case Study
in-depth study of a single research participant.
Correlational Research
researcher observes or measures (without directly manipulating) two or more naturally occurring variables to find the relationship between them.
Biological Research
scientific studies of the brain and other parts of the nervous system.