Semester 1 FRQ Terms

A testable prediction

an explanation that organizes a large set of observations and data

Self-reporting behaviors

When a researcher manipulates one variable to observe the effect on another. Can determine a cause-and-effect relationship.

When one individual or group is studied in great depth.

Scientific investigation that seeks to systematically observe and record.

Behavior is observed and recorded in naturally occurring situations with no interference or control.

• The portion of the sample that is exposed to the manipulated independent variable.

• The portion of the sample that is not exposed to the manipulated variable. Used for comparison.

• An experiment where both the participant and the researcher are ignorant about who is in the experimental group or control.

• An experiment where the participant doesn’t know whether they are in the control group or experimental.

A factor other than the independent variable that may produce an effect on the dependent variable. The third variable problem.

a change in a subject's behavior caused simply by the awareness of being observed

the impact on the result of a study due to the common or shared life experiences of the subjects

• The principle that participants should be told enough about the study for them to enable them to choose whether they want to participate in the study or not.

• The principle that participants should not be subjected to physical or psychological harm or injury.

The principle that a participant's information should be kept private and safeguarded.

• The principle that participants should receive a post-experimentation explanation of the study including its purpose and any deceptions.

A numerical statement of how likely an obtained result occurred by chance.

• Used to calculate a p-value which will state the statistical significance.

• The result of a t-test. If the p-value is less than or equal to .05, it means the data is statistically significant, meaning there's a 5% chance or less that the results occurred by chance. If the p-value is greater than .05, the results are not statistically significant.

The measure of the extent to which two variables are related. DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION.

• A perceived but non-existent relationship between variables.

If 0 then no correlation, if positive 1 theres a positive correlation and if negative 1 then a negative correlation.

Focuses on how the brain, body, and genetics enable behavior and mental processes

Focuses on how we learn observable responses via learning principles.

Focuses on how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information.

Focuses on how natural selection of traits has promoted the survival of genes.

Focuses on how we meet our needs for love and acceptance and achieve self-fulfillment.

Focuses on how behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts.

Focuses on how behavior and mental processes vary across different cultures and situations.

decreasing or weakening a behavior by adding an undesirable or aversive stimulus.

decreasing or weakening a behavior by removing a desirable or pleasurable stimulus

increasing or strengthening a behavior by adding a desirable or pleasurable stimulus

Increasing or strengthening a behavior by removing an undesirable or aversive stimulus

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

response is reinforced every time it occurs; results in fastest acquisition but is not very resistant to extinction

response is reinforced intermittently; results in slower acquisition but is much more resistant to extinction.

a response is reinforced after a specified number of responses

a response is reinforced after a specified amount of time has elapsed

a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses.

a response is reinforced after an unpredictable amount of time has elapsed.

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

in shaping, behaviors that are ordered in terms of increasing similarity or closeness to the desired response

learning by observing others

a type of mental set in which one tends to think of objects only in terms of their usual uses

the impact of the way an issue is posed on decisions and judgements about that issue.

the tendency to cling to one's initial conceptions even once they have been disproved or discredited

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

The lobe involved in speaking, muscle movement, making plans, and judgement

The lobe that receives sensory input for touch and is involved in mathematical and spatial reasoning

The lobe that receives sensory input for audition.

The lobe that receives sensory input for vision

The hemisphere that controls logical things such as writing, calculations, and reading.

specialization of function in each hemisphere of the brain

The hemisphere that controls creativity, spatial ability, and musical/artistic skills.

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion, particularly fear and aggression

a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process memories for long-term storage

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, such as eating, drinking, body temperature, and helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland

the endocrine system's "master gland" which, under the influence of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.