1. Psychology Unit 1 Vocabulary

2. Unit 1 - Psychology 1. Applied research 2. Basic research 3. Biological perspective 4. Cognitive perspective 5. Functionalism 6. Psychology 7. Social-cultural perspective 8. Structuralism 9. Case study 10. Control group 11. Correlational study 12. Dependent variable 13. Independent variable 14. Participant bias 15. Random sample 16. Researcher bias 17. Scientific method 18. Collectivism 19. Culture 20. Evolutionary psychology 21. Genome 22. Heritability 23. Mutation 24. Natural selection 25. Norms

3. Natural Selection The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

4. Scientific Method A method of learning about the world through the application of critical thinking and tools such as observation, experimentation, and statistical analysis A method of learning about the world through the application of critical thinking and tools such as observation, experimentation, and statistical analysis

5. Mutation Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the individual’s genetic code; the source of all genetic diversity Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the individual’s genetic code; the source of all genetic diversity

6. Culture The shared attitudes, beliefs, norms, and behaviors of a group communicated from one generation to the next; may function to ensure a group’s survival The shared attitudes, beliefs, norms, and behaviors of a group communicated from one generation to the next; may function to ensure a group’s survival

7. Control Group The participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the independent variable. These individuals function as a comparison for the experimental group participants. The participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the independent variable. These individuals function as a comparison for the experimental group participants.

8. Applied Research Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

9. Basic Research Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge

10. Biological Perspective School of thought that focuses on the physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion School of thought that focuses on the physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion

11. Cognitive Perspective School of thought that focuses on how we take in, process, store, and retrieve information School of thought that focuses on how we take in, process, store, and retrieve information

12. Functionalism Theory that emphasized the functions of consciousness and the ways consciousness helps people adapt to their environment Theory that emphasized the functions of consciousness and the ways consciousness helps people adapt to their environment

13. Psychology The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

14. Social-Cultural Perspective School of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different contexts or situations School of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different contexts or situations

15. Structuralism Theory that analyzed the basic elements of thoughts and sensations to determine the structure of conscious experience. Theory that analyzed the basic elements of thoughts and sensations to determine the structure of conscious experience.

16. Case Study A research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles. A research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

17. Correlational Study A research project designed to discover the degree to which two variables are related to each other A research project designed to discover the degree to which two variables are related to each other

18. Dependent Variable The research variable that is influenced by the independent variable. In psychology, the behavior or mental process where the impact of the independent variable is measured. The research variable that is influenced by the independent variable. In psychology, the behavior or mental process where the impact of the independent variable is measured.

19. Independent Variable The research variable that a researcher actively manipulates, and if the hypothesis is correct, will cause a change in the dependent variable. The research variable that a researcher actively manipulates, and if the hypothesis is correct, will cause a change in the dependent variable.

20. Participant Bias A tendency for research participants to respond in a certain way because they know they are being observed or they believe they know what the researcher wants. A tendency for research participants to respond in a certain way because they know they are being observed or they believe they know what the researcher wants.

21. Random Sample A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion. A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

22. Researcher Bias A tendency for researchers to engage in behaviors and selectively notice evidence that supports their hypothesis or expectations A tendency for researchers to engage in behaviors and selectively notice evidence that supports their hypothesis or expectations

23. Collectivism Cultural style that places group goals or needs ahead of personal goals or needs and defines personal identity in terms of group identification Cultural style that places group goals or needs ahead of personal goals or needs and defines personal identity in terms of group identification

24. Evolutionary Psychology The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural psychology The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural psychology

25. Genome The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes

26. Heritability The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes

27. Norms Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior; norms prescribe “proper” behavior Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior; norms prescribe “proper” behavior