front 1 How psychology is a science | back 1 Uses the scientific method to study behavior and mental processes through observation, experimentation, and analysis |
front 2 Three key elements of the scientific attitude and how they support scientific inquiry | back 2 Curiosity (asking questions), Skepticism (demanding evidence), and Humility (accepting when wrong). These foster objective and reliable research |
front 3 How does critical thinking feed into a scientific attitude and smarter thinking for everyday life | back 3 It evaluates evidence, detects biases, and considers alternative explanations, leading to better decisions in science and daily life |
front 4 How does cognitive biases illustrate why science-based answers are more valid than common sense | back 4 Biases like hindsight bias, overconfidence, and seeing patterns in randomness distort judgment. Science counters these with systematic observation and testing |
front 5 Define Psychology | back 5 The scientific study of behavior and mental processes |
front 6 What are the three key elements of the scientific attitude | back 6 Curiosity, Skepticism, Humility |
front 7 Define Critical Thinking | back 7 Careful reasoning that evaluates evidence, detects biases, and considers alternative explanations |
front 8 Define Hindsight Bias | back 8 The tendency to believe, after an outcome, that it was predictable all along (“I knew it!”) |
front 9 Define Confirmation Bias | back 9 The tendency to seek information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence |
front 10 Define Overconfidence. | back 10 Overestimating the accuracy of our knowledge or predictions |
front 11 Describe how theories advance psychological science | back 11 Theories organize observations and predict behaviors or events, guiding research and generating hypotheses that can be tested |
front 12 How do psychologists use case studies | back 12 Case Studies are in-depth analysis of one individual or group |
front 13 How do psychologists use naturalistic observations | back 13 Naturalistic Observation is observing behavior in natural settings without interference. |
front 14 How do psychologists use surveys to observe and describe behavior | back 14 Survies collect self-reported data from many people. |
front 15 Why random sampling is important | back 15 Random Sampling ensures every member of a population has an equal chance of being included, reducing bias. |
front 16 Define Peer Reviewers | back 16 Experts who evaluate research before publication to ensure validity and reliability |
front 17 Define Theory | back 17 An explanation that organizes observations and predicts future behaviors or events |
front 18 Define Hypothesis | back 18 A testable prediction derived from a theory |
front 19 Define Operational Definition | back 19 A precise statement of how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study |
front 20 Define Replication | back 20 Repeating a study with different participants and settings to confirm findings |
front 21 Define Case Study | back 21 A detailed examination of a single individual or group |
front 22 Define Meta-Analysis | back 22 A statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to identify overall trends |
front 23 Define Naturalistic Observation | back 23 Observing behavior in its natural environment without manipulation |
front 24 Define Survey | back 24 A method of collecting self-reported data from a large sample |
front 25 What is Social Desirability Bias | back 25 Tendency of respondents to answer in a way that is socially acceptable rather than truthful. |
front 26 What is Self-Report Bias | back 26 Inaccuracy in responses due to memory errors or intentional misreporting |
front 27 What is Experimenter Bias | back 27 When a researcher’s expectations influence the outcome of a study |
front 28 Define Population | back 28 A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population |
front 29 Explain what it means when we say two things are correlated, and describe positive and negative correlations | back 29 Correlation means two variables are related. - Positive correlation: Both variables increase or decrease together. - Negative correlation: One variable increases while the other decreases. |
front 30 Explain illusory correlations | back 30 Perceiving a relationship where none exists |
front 31 Explain regression toward the mean | back 31 Extreme scores tend to move closer to the average on retesting |
front 32 Describe the characteristics of experimentation that make it possible to isolate cause and effect | back 32 Experiments use random assignment, control groups, and manipulation of independent variables to isolate cause-and-effect relationships |
front 33 Define Experimental Methodology | back 33 Research design that manipulates variables to establish cause-and-effect |
front 34 Define Non-Experimental Methodology | back 34 Research that observes variables without manipulation (e.g., correlation studies). |
front 35 Define Correlation | back 35 A measure of how two variables relate to each other |
front 36 Define Correlation Coefficient | back 36 A statistical measure (from -1 to +1) indicating the strength and direction of a correlation |
front 37 Define Variable | back 37 Any factor that can change or vary in an experiment |
front 38 Define Scatterplot | back 38 A graph showing the relationship between two variables using plotted points |
front 39 Define Illusory Correlation | back 39 Believing two variables are related when they are not |
front 40 Define Directionality Problem | back 40 In correlation, it’s unclear which variable causes the other |
front 41 Define Experiment | back 41 A research method that manipulates variables to determine cause-and-effect |
front 42 Define Experimental Group | back 42 The group exposed to the independent variable |
front 43 Define Control Group | back 43 The group not exposed to the independent variable, used for comparison |
front 44 Define Independent Variable(s) | back 44 The factor manipulated by the researcher |
front 45 Define Dependent Variable(s) | back 45 The outcome measured in response to changes in the independent variable |
front 46 Define Random Assignment | back 46 Assigning participants to groups by chance to reduce bias |
front 47 Define Single-Blind Procedure | back 47 Participants don’t know which group they are in |
front 48 Define Double-Blind Procedure | back 48 Neither participants nor researchers know the group assignments |
front 49 Define Placebo | back 49 An inactive substance or condition given to control group participants |
front 50 Define Confounding Variable | back 50 An outside factor that can affect results if not controlled |
front 51 Explain the process of determining which research design to use | back 51 Researchers choose a design based on the research question, ethical considerations, and whether the goal is to describe, predict, or explain behavior |
front 52 Explain the value of simplified laboratory conditions in illuminating everyday life | back 52 Laboratory conditions allow researchers to control variables and isolate effects, helping identify principles that apply broadly to real-world behavior |
front 53 Explain why psychologists study animals, and explain the ethical research guidelines that safeguard human and animal welfare | back 53 Animals help researchers understand basic processes and develop treatments. Ethical guidelines include minimizing harm, humane housing, and following institutional review standards |
front 54 Describe how psychologists’ values influence what they study and how they apply their results | back 54 Psychologists’ cultural and personal values shape research topics, interpretations, and applications, though scientific methods aim to minimize bias |
front 55 Define Quantitative Research | back 55 Research using numerical data and statistical analysis |
front 56 Define Qualitative Research | back 56 Research using non-numerical data like interviews and observations to explore meaning and experiences |
front 57 Define Likert Scales | back 57 Rating scales that measure attitudes or opinions on a continuum (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree) |
front 58 Define Institutional Review | back 58 Oversight by an ethics committee to ensure research meets safety and ethical standards |
front 59 Define Informed Consent | back 59 Participants must be fully informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate |
front 60 What does “Protect from Harm” mean in research ethics | back 60 Researchers must minimize physical and psychological risks to participants |
front 61 Define Confidentiality | back 61 Keeping participants’ data private and secure |
front 62 Define Debriefing | back 62 Explaining the study’s purpose and procedures to participants after it ends, including any deception used |
front 63 Describe descriptive statistics | back 63 Descriptive statistics summarize and organize data using measures like mean, median, mode, and graphs |
front 64 Explain how we describe data using three measures of central tendency and percentile rank | back 64 - Mean: Average of scores. - Median: Middle score. - Mode: Most frequent score. - Percentile Rank: Indicates the percentage of scores below a given score |
front 65 Explain the relative usefulness of the two measures of variation | back 65 - Range: Difference between highest and lowest scores; quick but affected by outliers. - Standard Deviation: Shows how much scores vary around the mean; more accurate. |
front 66 Describe inferential statistics | back 66 Techniques that allow researchers to draw conclusions about a population based on sample data |
front 67 Explain how we determine whether an observed difference can be generalized to other populations | back 67 Through statistical significance testing and effect size, ensuring differences are unlikely due to chance |
front 68 Define Descriptive Statistics | back 68 Methods for summarizing and describing data |
front 69 Define Histogram | back 69 A bar graph showing frequency distribution of data |
front 70 Define Measure of Central Tendency | back 70 A single score representing a set of data (mean, median, mode) |
front 71 Define Mode | back 71 The most frequently occurring score |
front 72 Define Mean | back 72 The arithmetic average of scores |
front 73 Define Median | back 73 The middle score when data is ordered |
front 74 Define Percentile Rank | back 74 Percentage of scores below a specific score |
front 75 Define Skewed Distribution | back 75 A distribution where scores are not symmetrical around the mean |
front 76 Define Range | back 76 Difference between highest and lowest scores. |
front 77 Define Standard Deviation | back 77 A measure of how spread out scores are around the mean |
front 78 Define Normal Curve | back 78 A bell-shaped curve representing a normal distribution of data |
front 79 Define Inferential Statistics | back 79 Methods for making predictions or inferences about a population from sample data |
front 80 Define Statistical Significance | back 80 Indicates that results are unlikely due to chance |
front 81 Define Effect Size | back 81 A measure of the strength of a relationship or difference |
front 82 What is the Biological Perspective in psychology | back 82 To focuses on the influence of biology on behavior—brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics. Explains mental processes through physical structures and chemical processes |
front 83 What is the Psychodynamic Perspective | back 83 Emphasizes unconscious drives, early childhood experiences, and inner conflicts. Originated from Freud’s theories. Behavior is shaped by unresolved unconscious motives |
front 84 What is the Behavioral Perspective | back 84 Focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through conditioning (classical and operant). Rejects internal mental states as explanations |
front 85 What is the Cognitive Perspective | back 85 Examines mental processes like thinking, memory, problem-solving. Behavior is influenced by how we interpret and process information |
front 86 What is the Humanistic Perspective | back 86 Emphasizes personal growth, free will, and self-actualization. People are inherently good and strive for meaning and fulfillment. |
front 87 What is the Sociocultural Perspective | back 87 Looks at how social and cultural factors influence behavior—norms, traditions, ethnicity, gender roles |
front 88 What is the Biopsychosocial Perspective | back 88 Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors to explain behavior. Holistic approach |