Psychology term 1

• Steps to formulating research

  1. Identify the aim of the research

  2. Develop a research question based on the aim

  3. Identify variables

  4. Construct a hypothesis [quantitative]

  5. Construct an inquiry question [qualitative]
• Variables


  • Independent variable
  • Dependent variable
  • Controlled variable
  • Extraneous variables
  • Confounding variables
• Methodology


  • Experimental research
  • Non-experimental
• Non-experimental research


  • Case studies
  • Observational research
• Selection of participants


  • Population
  • Sample
  • Sampling
• Methods of sampling


  • Convenience sampling
  • Snowball sampling
• Data collection


  • Qualitative data
  • Quantitative data
  • Mixed Methods
• Structural organisation of the nervous system

  • Central nervous system
  • Peripheral nervous system
  • Somatic nervous system
  • Autonomic nervous system
• Structure of the neuron

  • Dendrites
  • Cell body
  • Axon
  • Axon terminals
  • Myelin sheath
• Functions of neurons


  • Sensory neurons
  • Motor neurons
  • Interneurons
• Structures and functions of the brain

  • Hind brain
  • Medulla
  • Cerebellum
  • Mid-brain
  • Reticular formation
  • Forebrain
  • Cerebrum
  • Thalamus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Cerebral cortex
• The brain is divided into two halves known as hemispheres, each hemisphere is dominant in different functions, this is known as hemisphere specialisation or localisation of functions
• The hemispheres have contralateral control of the body
• Emotional regulation


  Ability to apply procedures to control emotion or a set of emotions, works with hippocampus and amygdala
• Aim


  A statement that explains what a researcher intends to investigate
• Research question


  Questions researchers seek to answer with the experiment
• Variables


  • Independent: deliberately manipulated or changed by the experimenter
  • Dependent: measured, condition that is affected by the IV and is used to measure that effect
  • Control: things that are kept the same in order to minimise the effect of anything other than the IV
• Primary cortices


  • Motor
  • Sensory
  • Visual
• Emotional regulation


  Ability to apply procedures to control emotion or a set of emotions, works with hippocampus and amygdala