AP Psychology Unit 1-7 WITH BEST SOLUTIONS
Psychology - the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes
nature-nurture issue - the longstanding
... [Show More] controversy over the
relative contributions that genes and experience make to the
development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's
science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction
of nature and nurture
natural selection - the principle that, among the range of
inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction
and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding
generations
naturalistic observation - a descriptive technique of
observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring
situations without trying to manipulate and control the
situation
population - the whole group that you want to study and
describe
random sample - A sample that fairly represents a population
because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
correlation - A measure of the relationship between two
variables
correlation coefficient - A statistical index of the relationship
between two things (from -1 to +1); closer to 1, the stronger
the relationship is.
scatterplot - A graphed cluster of dots, each of which
represents the values of two variables.
experiment - A research method in which an investigator
manipulates one factor to observe the effect on another; the
only way to determine causality
random assignment - Assigning participants to experimental
and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting
differences between those assigned to the different groups
validity - the extent to which a test or experiment measures
or predicts what it is supposed to do
hypothesis - A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
operational definition - A statement of the procedures used to
define research variables that is specific and allows research
to be replicated
replication - replicate the original study in attempt to yield
similar results
case study - An observation technique in which one person is
studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.
survey - A study, generally in the form of an interview or
questionnaire, that provides researchers with information
about how people think and act.
double-blind study - An experiment in which neither the
participant nor the researcher knows whether the participant
has received the treatment or the placebo
experimental group - A subject or group of subjects in an
experiment that is exposed to the factor or condition being
tested. [Show Less]