OCR GCSE Psychology key terms

A small endocrine gland in the brain that produces and releases melatonin.

An inactive treatment used for comparison with an active treatment, helping researchers separate drug effects from effects of expecting treatment.

An area of the brainstem where increased neuronal activity generates random signals during REM sleep, according to Activation Synthesis Theory.

The extent to which a sample represents the target population, allowing findings to be generalised to that population.

A relationship in which higher values of one co-variable tend to occur with higher values of the other.

A person whose constructive behaviour provides an example for others to observe and imitate.

An experience or behaviour added to usual functioning, such as hallucinations or delusions.

Feedback that recognises the work put into learning rather than labelling the learner as naturally intelligent.

The part of the mind containing information outside current awareness that can readily be brought into consciousness.

A region towards the front of the brain involved in decision-making, including moral judgements.

The period of development before birth.

The proportion of a specified population experiencing a condition during a stated period. Lifetime prevalence concerns whether people have experienced it at any point in their lives.

Freud’s term for a child witnessing their parents having sexual intercourse; he inferred such an event in the Wolfman’s childhood.

Information collected first-hand by a researcher for their own investigation.

Long-term memory for how to perform learned skills and actions.

A relaxation technique involving gently tensing and then releasing successive muscle groups to reduce physical tension.

Behaviour intended to help or benefit other people.

A therapeutic method developed by Freud that seeks to uncover unconscious conflicts through techniques such as dream analysis and free association.

Damage to a person's mental wellbeing, such as severe anxiety, distress or reduced self-esteem, caused by taking part in research.

Unusually restless movement or activity, which may occur during depression.

Unusually slowed movement and activity, which may occur during depression.

A disturbance in a person’s experience of reality, which can involve hallucinations or delusions.

A psychological treatment in which a person works with a therapist to understand and manage thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

A personality dimension associated with traits such as aggression, coldness and low empathy. It is not the same as a diagnosis of psychosis.

A consequence intended to reduce the likelihood of the behaviour it follows.

An in-depth investigation of a particular person, group, event or setting using descriptive accounts to understand experiences and meanings.

Non-numerical information describing behaviour, experiences, thoughts or feelings.