Chapter 1 Flashcards
(27 cards)
Define Psychology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
Who is the founding father of Psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt who established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in Germany 1879
What process do scientists use to answer questions about behavior and mental processes?
The scientific method
What are the goals or objectives or psychology?
Describe
Explain
Predict
Control
Prevent
How do independent and dependent variables differ?
The key distinction between these two variables lies in their roles within an experiment. IV what you change or control. DV what you measure due to variations in IV
Why are experimental and control groups necessary?
To explore cause and effect. Control all other variables.
What is mean?
The total sum of all scores divided by the number of scores.
What is Median?
Middle point
What is mode?
Most frequently occurring score or scores.
The ____ is a measure of ______.
Median, Central Tendency
______ used introspection to define the minds make up.
Structuralism
______ focused on how mental processes enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
Functionalism
What is the scientific attitude?
A curious eagerness to skeptically scrutinize competing ideas and an open minded humility before nature.
What is the scientific method?
Research stimulates the construction of theories, which organize observations and imply predictive hypothesis. These predictions are then tested to validate and refine the theory.
Are vivid examples a better guide than representative samples?
No, representative samples are a better guide then vivid examples.
Does correlation reveal cause and effect?
No, correlation is a measure of a relationship and does not reveal cause and effect.
What is the aim of an experiment?
To manipulate an independent variable, measure the dependent variable, and control all other variables.
What is statistical reasoning?
The ability to apply simple statistical principles to everyday reasoning. Think more clearly and critically about data.
What are the six steps of the scientific method?
- Ask a question
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Test hypothesis by conducting experiments
- Analyze data and reject or accept hypothesis
- Publish findings
- Build a theory
What are the methods psychologists use to collect data?
Naturalistic observation
Case study method
Experimental method
Correlational method
Survey
What is range?
The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
What is standard deviation?
A computed measure or how much scores vary around the mean.
When is a difference Statistically Significant?
When sample averages are reliable and the difference between them is relatively large, and not due to chance. (Measured through alpha level set at 5 percent)
How do you think critically in psychology?
Question everything
Consider the assumption upon which claims are based
Examine sources of claims
