OCR GCSE Psychology key terms

A chemical messenger released by a neuron that binds to receptors on another cell.

An observation in which the researcher watches people without taking part in their activities.

A symmetrical, bell-shaped distribution in which most scores cluster around the centre, where the mean, median and mode coincide.

An influence that encourages a person towards involvement in an activity.

A statement predicting no difference between conditions or groups, or no correlation between variables.

The top number in a fraction, showing how many equal parts are being considered.

Following an order from an authority figure.

Understanding that an object continues to exist even when it cannot be seen.

A research method in which a researcher watches and records participants’ behaviour under controlled or uncontrolled conditions.

An influence of an observer’s expectations or personal inclinations on which behaviours they choose to observe and how they record or interpret them.

A change in participants’ behaviour because they know that an observer is present.

Records collected and published by government agencies. Police-recorded crime statistics count offences reported to or detected by the police and recorded by them.

An arrangement in which each object in one group is paired with exactly one object in another group.

The beginning of a condition or its symptoms; this may occur before a formal diagnosis.

A question that allows participants to answer in their own words rather than choosing from preset responses.

Learning through the consequences of behaviour: reinforcement makes behaviour more likely, while punishment makes it less likely.

Defining a variable precisely in terms of how it will be manipulated or measured.

A sampling method that recruits people who are available and willing to participate when and where the research is carried out.

A change in performance caused by the position of a condition in the sequence, such as improvement through practice or poorer performance through fatigue.

The use of retrieved information, such as giving an answer or performing an action.

An observation in which the researcher is open about observing participants, who know they are being studied.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that supports rest and recovery, including slowing the heart rate.

A person who takes part in a research study.

An observation in which the researcher watches people while taking part in their activities.

A proportion expressed out of 100, written using the % sign.

The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Continuing to use an old response or strategy even when feedback shows that it is no longer appropriate.