Other psych terms and information:

Question 1

theory :

Answer 1

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes
observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Question 2

hypothesis:

Answer 2

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 3

operational definition :

Answer 3

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures
(operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be
operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 4

replication:

Answer 4

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different
participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be
reproduced.

Question 5

case study:

Answer 5

a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied
in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 6

naturalistic observation:

Answer 6

a descriptive technique of observing and recording
behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and
control the situation.

Question 7

survey:

Answer 7

a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or
behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random
sample of the group.

Question 8

random sample:

Answer 8

a sample that fairly represents a population because each

member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Question 9

population:

Answer 9

all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be
drawn. (Note: Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country’s
whole population.)

Question 10

correlation:

Answer 10

a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and
thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

Question 11

correlation coefficient:

Answer 11

a statistical index of the relationship between two

things (from −1.00 to +1.00)

Question 12

variable:

Answer 12

anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure.

Question 13

scatterplot:

Answer 13

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of
two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship
between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the
correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation).

Question 14

illusory correlation:

Answer 14

perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving

a stronger-than-actual relationship.

Question 15

regression:

Answer 15

toward the mean the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or
events to fall back (regress) toward the average.

Question 16

experiment:

Answer 16

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or
more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or
mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of
participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.

Question 17

experimental group:

Answer 17

in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment,

that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 18

control group:

Answer 18

in an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment;
contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for
evaluating the effect of the treatment

Question 19

random assignment:

Answer 19

assigning participants to experimental and control
groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different
groups.

Question 20

double-blind procedure:

Answer 20

an experimental procedure in which both the
research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether
the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Question 21

placebo:

Answer 21

[pluh-SEE-bo; Latin for “I shall please”]

Question 22

effect:

Answer 22

experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on
behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which
the recipient assumes is an active agent.

Question 23

independent variable:

Answer 23

in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the

variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 24

confounding variable:

Answer 24

a factor other than the factor being studied that might

influence a study’s results.

Question 25

dependent variable:

Answer 25

in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the

variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated.

Question 26

informed consent:

Answer 26

giving potential participants enough information about a

study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Question 27

debriefing:

Answer 27

the post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose
and any deceptions, to its participants.

Question 28

standard deviation:

Answer 28

a computed measure of how much scores vary around

the mean score.

Question 29

statistical significance:

Answer 29

a statistical statement of how likely it is that an

obtained result occurred by chance

Question 30

adrenal [ah-DREEN-el] glands:

Answer 30

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above
the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help
arouse the body in times of stress

Question 31

lesion [LEE-zhuhn]:

Answer 31

tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or

experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

Question 32

electroencephalogram (EEG) :

Answer 32

an amplified recording of the waves of
electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are
measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Question 33

magnetoencephalography (MEG):

Answer 33

a brain-imaging technique that measures

magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity.

Question 34

cerebral [seh-REE-bruhl] cortex:

Answer 34

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural
cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and
information-processing center.

Question 35

somatosensory cortex:

Answer 35

an area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers

and processes body touch and movement sensations

Question 36

association areas:

Answer 36

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary
motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions
such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.