WGU C180 Introduction to Psychology Exam
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Terms in this set (261) Hide definitions
What do psychologists study? • Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and The scientific method is the set of assumptions,
how is it applied to psychological rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct
research? research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that
procedures are free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
hypothesis? relationship between two or more variables.
,What is an operational definition? An operational definition refers to a precise
Provide an example. statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract
idea that form the basis of research hypotheses )
which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes
consisting of numbers that represent the
conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational
definition) Number of negative words used in a
creative story; number of appointments made with
a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed These are needed with psychological research is
within psychological research? the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the
participants.
What are the various research Descriptive Research
methods in the field of psychology? Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? research designed to provide a snapshot of the
current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future
events from present knowledge.
,What is Experimental Research research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is
followed by a manipulation of a given experience
for one group while the other is not manipulated.
One group is the experimental group that receives
the manipulation. The other group is the control
group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the
manipulation.
What is the relationship between a The people chosen to participate in the research,
population and a sample? called a sample, are selected to be representative
of all the people that the researcher wishes to
know about, called the population. "Sampling is the
process of selecting a representative group from
the population under study. The target population
is the total group of individuals from which the
sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of
people who take part in the investigation. The
people who take part are referred to as
"participants"."
Independent Variable The variable in an experiment that is manipulated
or compared
Dependent Variable The variable in an experiment that is measured; the
outcome of an experiment
Control Group The group of subjects in an experiment that does
not receive the independent variable
Experimental Group EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
, What does a correlational research research designed to discover relationships among
design examine? Provide an variables and to allow the prediction of future
example. events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and Correlational-To assess the relationships between
a negative correlation. and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of
diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions.
As one variable increases, the other variable
decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression.
Positive correlation is when there is an increase in
one variable it is associated with an increase in
another variable. For example: with height and
weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in In correlational studies a researcher looks for
interpretations of correlational and associations among naturally occurring variables,
experimental designs? whereas in experimental studies the researcher
introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the
independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable, and controls the environment
in order that extraneous variables may be
eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect.
A correlation identifies variables and looks for a
relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
and its role in neural
communication?
2026- Complete Review Guide with Verified Q&A
(Already Graded A+)
Save
Terms in this set (261) Hide definitions
What do psychologists study? • Biological Foundations
• Mental Life
• Change
• Self and Others
• Potential and Dysfunction
What is the scientific method and The scientific method is the set of assumptions,
how is it applied to psychological rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct
research? research. In addition to requiring that science is
verifiable, the scientific method demands that
procedures are free of personal bias.
What is the definition of a A specific and falsifiable prediction about the
hypothesis? relationship between two or more variables.
,What is an operational definition? An operational definition refers to a precise
Provide an example. statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract
idea that form the basis of research hypotheses )
which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes
consisting of numbers that represent the
conceptual variables )
(Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational
definition) Number of negative words used in a
creative story; number of appointments made with
a psychotherapist
Why are ethical guidelines needed These are needed with psychological research is
within psychological research? the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the
participants.
What are the various research Descriptive Research
methods in the field of psychology? Correlational Research
Experimental Research
What is descriptive research? research designed to provide a snapshot of the
current state of affairs.
What is Correlational Research research designed to discover relationships among
variables and to allow the prediction of future
events from present knowledge.
,What is Experimental Research research in which there is a random assignment of
research participants into two groups. This is
followed by a manipulation of a given experience
for one group while the other is not manipulated.
One group is the experimental group that receives
the manipulation. The other group is the control
group that does not. The two groups are then
compared to determine the influence of the
manipulation.
What is the relationship between a The people chosen to participate in the research,
population and a sample? called a sample, are selected to be representative
of all the people that the researcher wishes to
know about, called the population. "Sampling is the
process of selecting a representative group from
the population under study. The target population
is the total group of individuals from which the
sample might be drawn. A sample is the group of
people who take part in the investigation. The
people who take part are referred to as
"participants"."
Independent Variable The variable in an experiment that is manipulated
or compared
Dependent Variable The variable in an experiment that is measured; the
outcome of an experiment
Control Group The group of subjects in an experiment that does
not receive the independent variable
Experimental Group EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group receiving the
independent variable
, What does a correlational research research designed to discover relationships among
design examine? Provide an variables and to allow the prediction of future
example. events from present knowledge.
Describe examples of a positive and Correlational-To assess the relationships between
a negative correlation. and among two or more variables.
Postiive - As children age they get better at math
Negative - Age of a child and the number of
diapers they use "Negative correlation, the
variables move in inverse, or opposite, directions.
As one variable increases, the other variable
decreases. For example, there is a negative
correlation between self-esteem and depression.
Positive correlation is when there is an increase in
one variable it is associated with an increase in
another variable. For example: with height and
weight, taller people tend to be heavier."
What are the differences in In correlational studies a researcher looks for
interpretations of correlational and associations among naturally occurring variables,
experimental designs? whereas in experimental studies the researcher
introduces a change and then monitors its effects.
"An experiment isolates and manipulates the
independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable, and controls the environment
in order that extraneous variables may be
eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect.
A correlation identifies variables and looks for a
relationship between them."
What are the four parts of a neuron Cell Body (Soma), Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath
and its role in neural
communication?
