AP PSYCHOLOGY STUDY GROUP REVIEW
WEEK #2: RESEARCH METHODS & NEUROSCIENCE
RESEARCH METHODS REVIEW
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What’s is/are the difference(s) between hindsight
bias, overconfidence, and researcher bias?
2. What is “critical thinking” and why is it important
to the research process?
3. What are operational definitions and what is the
purpose of them?
1.
COMPARE & CONTRAST THE TYPES OF RESEARCH:
Case Study
Strengths
Weaknesses
Survey
Strengths Weaknesses
Naturalistic
Observation
Strengths
Correlational/
Experiment
Weaknesses Strengths
Weaknesses
OUTLINE THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, IN ORDER:
Step 1: ______________________________
Step 2: ______________________________
Step 3: ______________________________
Step 4: ______________________________
Step 5: ______________________________
Step 6: ______________________________
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How is random sampling conducted? Give an
example.
2. What is the purpose of random sampling?
3. How is random assignment conducted? Give an
example.
4. What is the purpose of random assignment?
ROUND-ROBIN:
CREATE AN EXPERIMENT SCENARIO AND GIVE AN
EXAMPLE OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CONCEPTS…
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Confounding variables
Placebo effect
Single-blind procedure
Double-blind procedure
Experimental group
Control group
IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING CENTRAL TENDENCIES:
Mean
Median
Mode
MEASURES OF VARIATION:
1. What is “range” as in measures of variation?
2. What is the purpose of standard deviation?
3. Look at Table 2.4 on page 39 to review the equation for
standard deviation. (Rarely will you be required to
compute a standard deviation problem on the AP Psych
Exam…(i.e. once every 4 or 5 years).
4. What is statistical significance? Why is it important in
correlational (experimental) studies?
ETHICS IN RESEARCH
1. What things should be completed/done BEFORE
a research study begins in regards to ethics?
2. What things should be ensured DURING a
research study to ensure proper ethics?
3. What things should be completed/done AFTER a
research study in regards to ethics?
FRQ PRACTICE:
Imagine that you are a sports psychologist interested in
the usefulness of a new visualization technique that has
been developed for Olympic divers. You have decided to
conduct an experiment to determine if the technique is
effective.
Discuss the importance of each of the following in
regard to the experiment you are designing: population,
sample, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent
variable, operational definitions, control group, random
assignment, and replication.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR THE PREVIOUS FRQ:
Point 1- Population: The student must make clear that the population is the group of
individuals that the participants are drawn from. In this case, the population is Olympic
divers (or some subset of Olympic divers).
Point 2 - Sample: The student must recognize that the sample is the group of Olympic divers
that is selected for this experiment. The sample must be random so the results of the
experiment can be generalized to the population.
Point 3 - Hypothesis: The student must explain that the hypothesis is the statement of
expectation about the outcome of the experiment. In this case, the hypothesis is that the new
visualization technique will produce better dives. The student may state the null hypothesis,
such as: “There is no difference between groups of Olympic divers.” Students must state the
hypothesis for this particular experiment; a basic definition of “hypothesis” alone should not
earn the point.
GRADING RUBRIC CON…
Point 4 – Independent variable: The student must be aware that the independent
variable is the variable manipulated by the experimenter. In this case, the IV is
whether or not a diver is taught the new visualization technique. Students must state
the independent variable for this particular experiment; a basic definition of
“independent variable” alone should not earn the point.
Point 5 – Dependent variable: The student must be aware that the dependent
variable shows the effect of the independent variable. In this case, the dependent
variable is the quality of the dives. Again, students must state the dependent
variable for this particular experiment to earn the point.
Point 6 – Operational definitions: To earn this point, the student must explain
exactly how the dependent variable will be measured. The clearest way to do this
is with diving scores.
GRADING RUBRIC CON…
Point 7 – Control group: The student must explain the need for a group to which results of
the visualization group may be compared. In this case, the control group would be a
similar group of divers that is not trained in the new technique.
Point 8 – Random assignment: The student must understand the importance of randomly
assigning participants to the visualization and control groups. This allows the experimenter
to assume that the only difference between the divers in the two groups is whether or not
they are taught the visualization technique.
Point 9 – Replication: The student must explain that experimental results are not fully
accepted until the experiment is repeated. If the experiment cannot be replicated, the
results were probably caused by chance instead of by the independent variable.
NEUROSCIENCE REVIEW
VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the principle that information is
often simultaneously processed on
separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
ANSWER: DUAL PROCESSING
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is a condition that results from surgery that
isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting
the fibers…
ANSWER: SPLIT BRAIN
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the brain’s ability to change, especially
during childhood, by reorganizing after
damage or by building new pathways based
on experience.
ANSWER: PLASTICITY
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the formation of new neurons…
ANSWER: NEUROGENESIS
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This area of the brain controls language
reception (comprehension and expression);
usually in the left temporal lobe.
ANSWER: WERNICKE’S AREA
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the area at the front of the parietal
lobes that registers and processes body touch
and movement sensations….
ANSWER: SENSORY CORTEX
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
These are cells in the nervous system that
support, nourish, and protect neurons…
ANSWER: GLIAL CELLS
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the doughnut-shaped neural system
located below the cerebral hemispheres;
associated with emotions and drives; includes
the hippocampus, amygdala, and
hypothalamus.
ANSWER: LIMBIC SYSTEM
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is located at the base of the brainstem
and controls heartbeat and breathing.
ANSWER: MEDULLA
GUESS THE TERM/CONCEPT/THEORY:
This is the endocrine system’s most influential
glad. It regulates growth and controls other
endocrine glands.
ANSWER: PITUITARY GLAND
PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF NEURONS
DISCUSS THE FUNCTION OF EACH LABELED PART WITHIN YOUR
GROUP…
PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN
DISCUSS THE FUNCTION OF EACH LABELED PART
OF THE BRAIN…
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Differentiate between the function(s)
Broca’s area and the Wernicke’s area
of the brain.
GROUP DISCUSSION (BE THOROUGH):
1. Which parts of the brain are activated when an individual is verbally threatened and a
weapon is pointed at him/her (***hint: vision, hearing, language, danger)?
2. Which parts of the brain are activated when an individual turns on a light in a dark room and
suddenly hears a loud exclamation: “Happy Birthday!!!” (***hint: vision, hearing, alert/surprise)?
3. Which parts of the brain are activated when an individual takes a morning jog and notices a
small kitten in the middle of the road purring (***hint: vision, emotion)?
4. Which parts of the brain are activated when an individual is dreaming? (***hint: vision, dreamstate)
5. Which parts of the brain are activated when an individual first notices an attractive person,
with whom they would enjoy a date, is smiling directly at them? (***hint: vision, emotions, heartrate, sexual alertness)
VIDEO CLIP: PHINEAS GAGE
(EFFECTS OF BRAIN INJURY TO THE FRONTAL LOBE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us8nNoGXAc8
NEUROTRANSMITTERS & AFFECT OF DRUGS ON THE
BRAIN
GROUP DISCUSSION:
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE FOLLOWING
NEUROTRANSMITTERS?
Acetylcholine (ACH)
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Glutamate
GROUP DISCUSSION (USE YOUR TEXTBOOKS):
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE NEUROTRANSMITTERS INCREASE
OR DECREASE?
1. An undersupply of serotonin leads to this psychological disorder…
2. When ACh deteriorate/decrease, which neurological disease develops?
3. When dopamine increases to an excess, which psychological disorder
develops?
4. When dopamine decreases, which physiological disorder develops?
5. Seizures, tremors, and insomnia are the results of a decrease in this
neurotransmitter…
6. An oversupply of this neurotransmitter leads to migraines or even seizures…
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Differentiate between the
functions of
AGONISTS and ANTAGONISTS.
GROUP DISCUSSION:
1. What effect would AGONISTS have on the brain?
2. Name some agonistic drugs.
3. What effect would ANTAGONISTS have on the
brain?
4. Name some antagonistic drugs.
SAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE
QUESTIONS
QUESTION #1:
Damage in the hippocampus would result in
A) difficulties with balance and coordination.
B) memory problems.
C) the false sensation of burning in parts of the
body.
D) emotional outbursts.
ANSWER:
B – Memory problems
QUESTION #2:
Brain plasticity refers to the
a) Feel of healthy human brain tissue.
b) Ability of the brain to transfer information from one hemisphere
to the other.
c) Way a brain gets larger as a child grows.
d) Wide variety of functions performed by the human brain.
e) Ability of brain tissue to take on new functions.
ANSWER:
E – ability of brain tissue to take on new
functions.
QUESTION #3:
The support cells that provide nourishment and help
the brain in numerous other ways are called
A) neurons
B) Interneurons
C) glial cells
D) endocrine cells
E) myelin cells
ANSWER:
C – Glial cells
QUESTION #4:
The reward deficiency syndrome argues that addictive disorders
may be partially explained by genetic flaws in the
A) brainstem.
B) cerebral cortex.
C) limbic system.
D) endocrine system.
E) cerebrum.
ANSWER:
C – limbic system
QUESTION #5:
A PET scan best allows researchers to determine…
A) the presence of tumors in the brain.
B) electrical activity on the surface of the brain.
C) the size of the internal structures of the brain.
D) the location of strokes.
E) the functions of various brain regions.
ANSWER:
E – the functions of various brain regions