Psyc1/chap1/scienceofpsych

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applied research

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Research that attempts to find solutions to specific problems.

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basic research

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Research focused on acquiring knowledge even if such knowledge has no direct practical application.

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behavior therapy

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A form of therapy that involves the systematic application of the principles of learning.

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behavioral perspective

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An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the role of learning in explaining observable behavior.

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case study method

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An in-depth study of one or more individuals.

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clinical psychologists

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Psychologists who use psychological techniques to evaluate and treat individuals with mental or psychological disorders.

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cognitive perspective

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An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the processes by which we acquire knowledge.

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comparative psychologists

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Psychologists who study behavioral similarities and differences among animal species.

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consumer psychologists

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Psychologists who study why people purchase particular products and brands.

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control groups

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Groups of participants in a research experiment who do not receive the experimental treatment or intervention.

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correlation coefficient

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A statistical measure of association between variables that can vary from -1.00 to +1.00.

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correlational method

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A research method used to examine relationships between variables, which are expressed in the form of a statistical measure called a correlation coefficient.

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counseling psychologists

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Psychologists who help people clarify their goals and make life decisions or find ways of overcoming problems in various areas of their lives.

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dependent variables

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The effects or outcomes of an experiment that are believed to be dependent on the values of the independent variables.

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developmental psychologists

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Psychologists who focus on processes involving physical, cognitive, social, and personality development.

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double-blind studies

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In drug research, studies in which both participants and experimenters are kept uninformed about which participants are receiving the active drug and which are receiving the placebo.

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educational psychologists

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Psychologists who study issues relating to the measurement of intelligence and the processes involved in educational or academic achievement.

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empirical approach

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A method of developing knowledge based on evaluating evidence gathered from experiments and careful observation.

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ethics review committees

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Committees that evaluate whether proposed studies meet ethical guidelines.

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evolutionary psychology

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A branch of psychology that focuses on the role of evolutionary processes in shaping behavior.

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experimental method

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A method of scientific investigation involving the manipulation of independent variables and observation or measurement of their effects on dependent variables under controlled conditions.

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experimental psychologists

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Psychologists who apply experimental methods to the study of behavior and mental processes.

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functionalism

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The school of psychology that focuses on the adaptive functions of behavior.

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humanistic perspective

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An approach to the study of psychology that applies the principles of humanistic psychology.

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hypothesis

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A precise prediction about the outcomes of an experiment.

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independent variables

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Factors that are manipulated in an experiment.

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industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists

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Psychologists who study people’s behavior at work.

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informed consent

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Agreement to participate in a study following disclosure of information about the purposes and nature of the study and its potential risks and benefit.

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naturalistic observation method

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A method of research based on careful observation of behavior in natural settings.

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personality psychologists

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Psychologists who study the psychological characteristics and behaviors that distinguish us as individuals and lead us to act consistently over time.

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physiological perspective

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An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the relationships between biological processes and behavior.

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placebo

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An inert substance or experimental condition that resembles the active treatment.

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placebo effects

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Positive outcomes of an experiment resulting from a participant’s positive expectations about the treatment rather than from the treatment itself.

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population

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All the individuals or organisms that constitute particular groups.

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psychiatrists

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Medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental or psychological disorders.

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psychoanalysis

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Freud’s method of psychotherapy; it focuses on uncovering and working through unconscious conflux its he believed were at the root of psychological problems.

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psychodynamic perspective

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The view that behavior is influenced by the struggle between unconscious sexual or aggressive impulses and opposing forces that try to keep this threatening material out of consciousness.

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random assignment

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A method of randomly assigning subjects to experimental or control groups.

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random sampling

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A method of sampling in which each individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

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replication

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The attempt to duplicate findings.

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samples

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Subsets of a population.

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school psychologists

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Psychologists who evaluate and assist children with learning problems or other special needs.

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scientific method

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A method of inquiry involving careful observation and use of experimental methods.

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social desirability bias

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The tendency to respond to questions in a socially desirable manner.

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social psychologists

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Psychologists who study group or social influences on behavior and attitudes.

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social-cognitive theory

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A contemporary learning-based model that emphasizes the roles of cognitive and environmental factors in determining behavior

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sociocultural perspective

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An approach to the study of psychology that emphasizes the role of social and cultural influences on behavior.

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statistics

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The branch of mathematics involving the tabulation, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data.

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structuralism

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The school of psychology that attempts to understand the structure of the mind by breaking it down into its component parts.

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survey method

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A research method in which structured interviews or questionnaires are used to gather information about groups of people.

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theory

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A formulation that accounts for relationships among observed events or experimental findings in ways that make them more understandable and predictable.

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variable

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A factor or measure that varies within an experiment or among individuals.

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volunteer bias

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The type of bias that arises when people who volunteer to participate in a survey or research study have characteristics that make them unrepresentative of the population from which they were drawn.