Psychology key terms

An approach that produces numerical data, such as scores, ratings or frequencies.

Research that collects numerical measurements or counts to investigate behaviour.

A self-report method that collects answers to a set of written questions.

Assigning participants to experimental conditions by chance to reduce researcher bias in allocation.

Using chance to decide aspects of a study, such as participants’ allocation to conditions or the order of test items.

Selecting participants so that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen.

A measure of dispersion calculated by subtracting the lowest score from the highest score.

A type of closed question in which participants select a position on a numerical or descriptive scale to indicate intensity, frequency or agreement.

A comparison of quantities in a stated order, such as $2:3$.

A logical, evidence-based interpretation that is realistic and flexible.

In Piaget’s theory, having reached the level of cognitive development needed to understand a particular concept.

Retrieving previously stored information from memory without having that information presented again.

The tendency to recall items at the end of a list better than items in the middle.

A protein to which a particular chemical messenger, such as dopamine, can bind and produce an effect on a cell.

Identifying previously encountered information when it is presented again.

The process of rebuilding a memory using stored information together with expectations, knowledge and information encountered later.

An explanation of memory in which recall involves actively piecing together remembered information, influenced by previous experience, beliefs and expectations.

In NHS Talking Therapies reporting, moving from above a clinical symptom threshold at the start of treatment to below the relevant thresholds at the end.

An approach that explains a complex phenomenon in terms of simpler components, potentially overlooking other contributing factors.

The flow of blood through a particular brain region, used as an indicator of activity in that region. Abbreviated to rCBF.

Helping an offender change their thinking and behaviour, develop constructive skills and reduce the likelihood of further offending.

Repeating information to keep it available in memory; in the multi-store model, rehearsal also enables transfer into long-term memory.

A consequence that increases the likelihood of the behaviour it follows.

A return to addictive behaviour after a period of improvement or abstinence.

A monocular depth cue in which the smaller-looking of two objects of the same or similar actual size is perceived as further away.

A neuron within the central nervous system that connects other neurons, including sensory and motor neurons.

The consistency of findings when research is repeated.