Essential FRQ Terms - 2010-2024
Mastering Psychology Key Terms and Concepts
This study guide covers essential terminology in psychology, designed to help you understand and
remember key concepts quickly and effectively.
1. Operational Definition: A statement describing how a research variable is measured or
manipulated. This is necessary for replication of the study.
2. Experiment: A research method where an investigator manipulates one or more independent
variables to observe their effect on a dependent variable (behavior or mental process).
3. Correlation: A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, indicating how well
one variable predicts the other.
4. Dependent Variable: The variable that the experimenter measures to see if it is affected by the
independent variable.
5. Statistical Significance: A statement indicating how likely an obtained result occurred by chance
Researchers often aim for a significance level of p < 0.05, meaning there's less than a 5% chance the
results were random.
6. Random Assignment: Placing participants into experimental and control groups by chance,
minimizing pre-existing differences between the groups. This helps establish cause-and-effect
relationships in experiments.
7. Double-Blind Experiment: An experimental procedure where neither the participants nor the
research staff know who has received the treatment or a placebo. This controls for both participant and
researcher bias.
8. Independent Variable: The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effect
on the dependent variable.
9. Informed Consent: An ethical principle requiring that research participants are given enough
information to make an informed decision about whether they want to participate in a study.
, 10. Debriefing: The process of explaining the study's purpose and any deceptions to participants
after the study has concluded.
11. Hypothesis: A testable prediction, often derived from a broader theory. It states the expected
relationship between variables.
12. Illusory Correlation: The perception of a relationship where none actually exists. This can lead
to false conclusions about how variables are related.
13. Mean: The arithmetic average of a distribution, calculated by summing all scores and dividing by
the number of scores.
14. Median: The middle score in a distribution; half the scores fall above it, and half fall below it.
Useful when a distribution has extreme scores that could skew the mean.
15. Descriptive Statistics: Numerical data used to describe the characteristics of a group, including
measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of variation (standard deviation,
range).
16. Single-Blind Study: A study where the participants do not know if they are in the experimental
or the control group. This helps control for the placebo effect.
17. Random Selection: A method of ensuring that a sample is representative of a larger population
by giving every individual in the population an equal chance of being included in the sample. This is
crucial for generalizing findings.
18. Survey: A research technique for gathering data about the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of
a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample.
19. Case Study: An in-depth descriptive technique focused on a single individual or group. While
providing rich detail, findings may not be generalizable to larger populations.
20. Naturalistic Observation: Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations
without attempting to manipulate or control the environment. This provides insights into real-world
behavior.
The Biological Basis of Behavior
21. Prefrontal Cortex: The part of the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functions
such as thinking, planning, and language.
Mastering Psychology Key Terms and Concepts
This study guide covers essential terminology in psychology, designed to help you understand and
remember key concepts quickly and effectively.
1. Operational Definition: A statement describing how a research variable is measured or
manipulated. This is necessary for replication of the study.
2. Experiment: A research method where an investigator manipulates one or more independent
variables to observe their effect on a dependent variable (behavior or mental process).
3. Correlation: A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, indicating how well
one variable predicts the other.
4. Dependent Variable: The variable that the experimenter measures to see if it is affected by the
independent variable.
5. Statistical Significance: A statement indicating how likely an obtained result occurred by chance
Researchers often aim for a significance level of p < 0.05, meaning there's less than a 5% chance the
results were random.
6. Random Assignment: Placing participants into experimental and control groups by chance,
minimizing pre-existing differences between the groups. This helps establish cause-and-effect
relationships in experiments.
7. Double-Blind Experiment: An experimental procedure where neither the participants nor the
research staff know who has received the treatment or a placebo. This controls for both participant and
researcher bias.
8. Independent Variable: The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effect
on the dependent variable.
9. Informed Consent: An ethical principle requiring that research participants are given enough
information to make an informed decision about whether they want to participate in a study.
, 10. Debriefing: The process of explaining the study's purpose and any deceptions to participants
after the study has concluded.
11. Hypothesis: A testable prediction, often derived from a broader theory. It states the expected
relationship between variables.
12. Illusory Correlation: The perception of a relationship where none actually exists. This can lead
to false conclusions about how variables are related.
13. Mean: The arithmetic average of a distribution, calculated by summing all scores and dividing by
the number of scores.
14. Median: The middle score in a distribution; half the scores fall above it, and half fall below it.
Useful when a distribution has extreme scores that could skew the mean.
15. Descriptive Statistics: Numerical data used to describe the characteristics of a group, including
measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of variation (standard deviation,
range).
16. Single-Blind Study: A study where the participants do not know if they are in the experimental
or the control group. This helps control for the placebo effect.
17. Random Selection: A method of ensuring that a sample is representative of a larger population
by giving every individual in the population an equal chance of being included in the sample. This is
crucial for generalizing findings.
18. Survey: A research technique for gathering data about the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of
a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample.
19. Case Study: An in-depth descriptive technique focused on a single individual or group. While
providing rich detail, findings may not be generalizable to larger populations.
20. Naturalistic Observation: Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations
without attempting to manipulate or control the environment. This provides insights into real-world
behavior.
The Biological Basis of Behavior
21. Prefrontal Cortex: The part of the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functions
such as thinking, planning, and language.
