Chapter 1 Psychology vocab
Animal model
In research, an animal whose behavior is used to derive principles that may apply to human behavior.
Anthropomorphic error
The error of attributing human thoughts, feelings, or motives to animals, especially as a way of explaining their behavior.
Barnum effect
The tendency to consider a personal description accurate if it is stated in very general terms.
Behaviorism
The school of psychology that emphasizes the study of overt, observable behavior.
Biological perspective
The attempt to explain behavior in terms of underlying biological principles.
Case study
An in-depth focus on all aspects of a single person.
Clinical psychologist
A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological and behavioral disturbances or who does research on such disturbances.
Coefficient of correlation
A statistical index ranging from –1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction and degree of correlation.
Control
Altering conditions that influence behavior.
Control group
In a controlled experiment, the group of subjects exposed to all experimental conditions or variables except the independent variable.
Correlation
The existence of a consistent, systematic relationship between two events, measures, or variables.
Correlational study
A nonexperimental study designed to measure the degree of relationship (if any) between two or more events, measures, or variables.
Counseling psychologist
A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of milder emotional and behavioral disturbances.
Counselor
A mental health professional who specializes in helping people with problems not involving serious mental disorder; for example, marriage counselors, career counselors, or school counselors.
Critical thinking
An ability to reflect on, evaluate, compare, analyze, critique, and synthesize information.
Cultural relativity
The idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in which it occurs.
In research, an animal whose behavior is used to derive principles that may apply to human behavior.
Anthropomorphic error
The error of attributing human thoughts, feelings, or motives to animals, especially as a way of explaining their behavior.
Barnum effect
The tendency to consider a personal description accurate if it is stated in very general terms.
Behaviorism
The school of psychology that emphasizes the study of overt, observable behavior.
Biological perspective
The attempt to explain behavior in terms of underlying biological principles.
Case study
An in-depth focus on all aspects of a single person.
Clinical psychologist
A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological and behavioral disturbances or who does research on such disturbances.
Coefficient of correlation
A statistical index ranging from –1.00 to +1.00 that indicates the direction and degree of correlation.
Control
Altering conditions that influence behavior.
Control group
In a controlled experiment, the group of subjects exposed to all experimental conditions or variables except the independent variable.
Correlation
The existence of a consistent, systematic relationship between two events, measures, or variables.
Correlational study
A nonexperimental study designed to measure the degree of relationship (if any) between two or more events, measures, or variables.
Counseling psychologist
A psychologist who specializes in the treatment of milder emotional and behavioral disturbances.
Counselor
A mental health professional who specializes in helping people with problems not involving serious mental disorder; for example, marriage counselors, career counselors, or school counselors.
Critical thinking
An ability to reflect on, evaluate, compare, analyze, critique, and synthesize information.
Cultural relativity
The idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in which it occurs.