Introduction to Psychology Free Online FlashCards

What is psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior, including observable actions and mental processes such as memory, emotion, thought, and motivation.

What are psychology’s four main goals?

The four goals are to describe behavior accurately, explain why it occurs, predict when it is likely, and influence or change it beneficially and ethically.

How does a theory differ from a hypothesis?

A theory is an evidence-supported organized explanation; a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory.

What happened in psychology in 1879?

Wilhelm Wundt established a psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in 1879, a date often used to mark psychology’s formal beginning as an experimental discipline.

What is psychology’s integrative approach?

An integrative approach combines complementary perspectives, such as biological, cognitive, emotional, learning, relationship, and cultural explanations, rather than treating one perspective as sufficient.

What is an operational definition?

An operational definition states exactly how a variable will be measured, such as defining stress by a validated questionnaire score or heart rate during a task.

What is a case study?

A case study is an intensive examination of one person, group, or unusual event. It provides depth but may not generalize to larger populations.

Why does correlation not establish causation?

Correlation measures how two variables relate; it does not establish causation because a third variable may affect both or the direction of influence may be unclear.

What distinguishes an experiment?

An experiment manipulates an independent variable and measures its effect on a dependent variable while controlling other factors. Random assignment helps distribute preexisting differences between groups.

How do cross-sectional and longitudinal studies differ?

A cross-sectional study compares different age groups at one point in time; a longitudinal study follows the same participants over time.

What are the Belmont Report’s three principles?

The Belmont principles are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice: autonomy and protection, maximizing benefits while minimizing harms, and fair distribution of research burdens and benefits.

What does informed consent require?

Informed consent gives participants understandable information about procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and their right to decline or withdraw.