psych definitions

internal validity

measures what we claim we’re measuring (when external factors are isolated)

1 of 21

ecological validity

extent we can predict that a certain event can happen

2 of 21

reliability

when we get the same result if the experiment was repeated

3 of 21

demand characteristics

not a natural behavior (one of external variables)

4 of 21

experimenter expectancy

expectation of researcher can unconsciously affect the results of the experiment

5 of 21

true experiment

-attempts to isolate cause and effect
- test of hypothesis
-standardized procedure ; replicable
-only iv is manipulated or changed in value
- mostly done in a lab and external variables are completely isolated

6 of 21

true lab exp strengths and limitations

strengths : -iv manipulated shows cause and effect
-lab increases control and accuracy
-replicable
- high internal validity
limitations: -total control not possible
-artificial (lacks ecological validity)
-biased results (demand characteristics, expe

7 of 21

experimental designs in true exp

1) repeated measures: same group goes tho same experiment
2) independent group: one group split into 2 groups

8 of 21

field experiment

participants are in their own natural environment and and researchers deliberately manipulate iv

9 of 21

strengths and limitations of field exp

strengths: -greater ecological validity
-less biased (demand characteristics)
limitations: -extraneous variables (lack of control)
-difficult to replicate
-difficult to record data
-ethical problems (invasion of privacy, consent, deception)

10 of 21

quasi experiment

-no iv
- comparing naturally occurring events (male vs female, old vs young, etc)

11 of 21

natural experiment

-no iv
- situations that happen independently
(earthquake, etc)

12 of 21

strengths and limitations of quasi and natural exp

strengths: -high ecological validity (not necessarily quasi)
-not too bias (demand characteristics unaware of being observerd)
limitations: -little control= hard to infer cause and effect
-impossible to replicate
-ethical problems (deception, consent,

13 of 21

ethical guidelines

consent, deception, confidentiality (anonymous), debriefing, withdrawal, protection

14 of 21

localization of function

refers to the idea that behavior, emotions, and thoughts originate in the brain in specific locations

15 of 21

difference between left and right hemesphere

left: language (front lobe)
right: understanding language (temporal lobe)

16 of 21

hippocampus

-deep in the brain (inside limbic system)
- responsible for memorization
-medial temporal lobe
-responsible for spatial memory in form of navigation)

17 of 21

nueroplasticity

refers to the brain’s ability to change structurally and chemically thro experience

18 of 21

dentritic branches

-neurons of dendritic grow in number and connect with other neurons
- allows dendrites to make new synaptic connections

19 of 21

neural pruning

-decrease in number of synapses
- dendritic retraction shortening of branches
-cell death or cortesol, lack of neural pathway

20 of 21

neuralgenesis

growth of brain cells: neurons

21 of 21

Get Revising

psych definitions

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

Back

Comments

Similar Psychology resources:

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

Back

Comments

Related discussions on The Student Room

Similar Psychology resources: