Psychology key terms

The extent to which two or more observers independently agree when recording the same behaviour.

The name associated with the temporal-cortex regions investigated by Penfield where electrical stimulation could evoke memories, feelings or experiences such as hearing music.

The extent to which different raters or observers give consistent measurements of the same behaviour.

A programme introduced to bring about change, such as lessons intended to change students’ beliefs about intelligence.

A self-report method that collects information through spoken questions.

An influence on participants’ answers caused by the interviewer’s characteristics or behaviour.

The prepared list of questions used by an interviewer.

Doing an activity because it is enjoyable or satisfying in itself, rather than to obtain an external reward.

A developmental stage within a fixed sequence that, according to Piaget, all children pass through.

Intelligence quotient: a standardised score comparing a person's performance on an intelligence test with that of other people their age. Modern tests set the average at 100.

A test designed to assess cognitive abilities, such as reasoning and memory, and convert performance into scores.

A rigid, unrealistic or extreme interpretation that is not adequately supported by evidence.

The theory that an emotional stimulus first causes physiological arousal, and experiencing these bodily changes produces the emotion.

An age-based phase of schooling in England with specified curriculum content.

A research method in which the researcher manipulates an independent variable and measures a dependent variable in a controlled, artificial setting.

A system of words and rules used to communicate meaning.

The hidden meaning of a dream, which Freud believed expressed unconscious wishes.

A question worded to suggest or encourage a particular answer.

A preferred way of processing information which, according to the learning-styles approach, should improve learning when teaching is matched to it.

The claim that learners achieve better results when teaching matches their preferred way of receiving information, such as visual, auditory or kinaesthetic presentation.

The perceived right of a person to exercise authority or make a particular request.

Power that people recognise as giving someone the right to issue instructions in a particular setting.

A rating scale on which participants indicate their degree of agreement with a statement.

A group of brain structures involved in emotion and memory.

A monocular depth cue in which parallel lines appear to come together as they extend into the distance.

A graph with points joined in order to show a pattern across a continuous scale, such as time.

The view that language determines thought and restricts what a person can think about.