Psychology 100 Final Exam Review
Questions – Updated for 2025
Independent variable - ANSWER ✨✔---The factor that is manipulated in an experiment (the cause)
Dependent variable - ANSWER ✨✔---The prediction, measures what the subject does (the effect)
control group - ANSWER ✨✔---the group that is compared to the experimental group (either no
treatment at all or a placebo)
experimental group - ANSWER ✨✔---the group that is being treated or tested
the scientific method - ANSWER ✨✔---1. hypothesis
2. prediction
3. experimental design
- variables (independent and dependent)
- groups (experimental and control)
4. test
5. analysis
,prediction - ANSWER ✨✔---what you expect to observe (the dependent variable) if the theory is
correct
theory - ANSWER ✨✔---a well established principle that explains some aspect of the natural world
and predicts events in general terms (an idea about how the world works)
-tested through the hypothesis
confounding/third/extraneous variable - ANSWER ✨✔---any variable that can effect the
dependent variable other than the independent variable (eliminate this by randomizing)
- this is the problem with correlational research
empiricism - ANSWER ✨✔---test based on sensory experience
rationalism - ANSWER ✨✔---test based on reason and objective method (says empiricism is
subjective)
correlational research - ANSWER ✨✔----observational, not experimental
-an association between two variables
-strength of association is between 1>x>-1
-positive (closer to 1) or negative (closer to -1)
-positive association= as A increases, B increases, or as A decreases, B decreases
-negative association= as A increases, B decreases, or as A decreases, B increases
-used in surveys and psychological tests
problems with correlational research - ANSWER ✨✔----less effective than experimental research
because you cannot conclude a causal relationship between the two variables, only an association
-does NOT tell you if A is causing B
-correlational research cannot manipulate the third variable like experimental research can
, Schacter experiment - ANSWER ✨✔----dependent variable= which room they go into
-independent variable= type of shock
-extraneous variable= how outgoing they were in the first place
-theory= being with other people reduces stress levels
-prediction= proportion of people who choose to be with others will be more than the proportion of
people who choose to be alone
Darley and Latane's Bystander Intervention - ANSWER ✨✔---dependent variable= how fast the
person helps the person in need
independent variable= how many people they think are there too
theory= the presence of multiple bystanders produces a diffusion of responsibility, a psychological state
in which each person feels a decreased personal responsibility for intervening
prediction= a diffusion of responsibility reduced the liklihood that any one bystander would intervene
The process of neurons - ANSWER ✨✔---1. at RESTING POTENTIAL
2. DENDRITES receive the signal and it is processed in the SOMA
3. SOMA generates signal down the AXON (covered by the MYELIN SHEATH) aka the ACTING POTENTIAL
4. this is caused by sodium ions rushing in and out, which causes the synaptic vessels to be pushed open
and burst open and they go into the synaptic cleft
5. gets to AXON TERMINALS
6. REFRACTORY PERIOD= neuron cannot fire again
7. REUPTAKE= when trANSWERmitter molecules are taken back into the presynaptic axon terminals
8. GRADED POTENTIAL= changes in the negative resting potential that do not reach the acting potential
neurotrANSWERmitters - ANSWER ✨✔---chemical substances that carry messages across the
synaptic space to other neurons
dopamine - ANSWER ✨✔---inhibitory neurotrANSWERmitter and increased by alcohol
Questions – Updated for 2025
Independent variable - ANSWER ✨✔---The factor that is manipulated in an experiment (the cause)
Dependent variable - ANSWER ✨✔---The prediction, measures what the subject does (the effect)
control group - ANSWER ✨✔---the group that is compared to the experimental group (either no
treatment at all or a placebo)
experimental group - ANSWER ✨✔---the group that is being treated or tested
the scientific method - ANSWER ✨✔---1. hypothesis
2. prediction
3. experimental design
- variables (independent and dependent)
- groups (experimental and control)
4. test
5. analysis
,prediction - ANSWER ✨✔---what you expect to observe (the dependent variable) if the theory is
correct
theory - ANSWER ✨✔---a well established principle that explains some aspect of the natural world
and predicts events in general terms (an idea about how the world works)
-tested through the hypothesis
confounding/third/extraneous variable - ANSWER ✨✔---any variable that can effect the
dependent variable other than the independent variable (eliminate this by randomizing)
- this is the problem with correlational research
empiricism - ANSWER ✨✔---test based on sensory experience
rationalism - ANSWER ✨✔---test based on reason and objective method (says empiricism is
subjective)
correlational research - ANSWER ✨✔----observational, not experimental
-an association between two variables
-strength of association is between 1>x>-1
-positive (closer to 1) or negative (closer to -1)
-positive association= as A increases, B increases, or as A decreases, B decreases
-negative association= as A increases, B decreases, or as A decreases, B increases
-used in surveys and psychological tests
problems with correlational research - ANSWER ✨✔----less effective than experimental research
because you cannot conclude a causal relationship between the two variables, only an association
-does NOT tell you if A is causing B
-correlational research cannot manipulate the third variable like experimental research can
, Schacter experiment - ANSWER ✨✔----dependent variable= which room they go into
-independent variable= type of shock
-extraneous variable= how outgoing they were in the first place
-theory= being with other people reduces stress levels
-prediction= proportion of people who choose to be with others will be more than the proportion of
people who choose to be alone
Darley and Latane's Bystander Intervention - ANSWER ✨✔---dependent variable= how fast the
person helps the person in need
independent variable= how many people they think are there too
theory= the presence of multiple bystanders produces a diffusion of responsibility, a psychological state
in which each person feels a decreased personal responsibility for intervening
prediction= a diffusion of responsibility reduced the liklihood that any one bystander would intervene
The process of neurons - ANSWER ✨✔---1. at RESTING POTENTIAL
2. DENDRITES receive the signal and it is processed in the SOMA
3. SOMA generates signal down the AXON (covered by the MYELIN SHEATH) aka the ACTING POTENTIAL
4. this is caused by sodium ions rushing in and out, which causes the synaptic vessels to be pushed open
and burst open and they go into the synaptic cleft
5. gets to AXON TERMINALS
6. REFRACTORY PERIOD= neuron cannot fire again
7. REUPTAKE= when trANSWERmitter molecules are taken back into the presynaptic axon terminals
8. GRADED POTENTIAL= changes in the negative resting potential that do not reach the acting potential
neurotrANSWERmitters - ANSWER ✨✔---chemical substances that carry messages across the
synaptic space to other neurons
dopamine - ANSWER ✨✔---inhibitory neurotrANSWERmitter and increased by alcohol
