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Definition Descriptive statistics are methods used to summarize and describe the main features of a dataset. Think of it like taking a large collection of information and condensing it into something easier to understand. Instead of looking at every single pie...

Definition Generalizability, in the context of a research study, refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to other people, settings, times, or situations. Essentially, it asks: "Can we reasonably assume that what we learned from thi...

Definition A quasi-experiment is a type of research study that looks like a true experiment, but doesn't have all the key ingredients. In a true experiment, researchers randomly assign participants to different groups (like a treatment group and a control grou...

Definition Effect size is a quantifiable measure of the strength of a relationship between two variables in a study, or the magnitude of the difference between two groups. It tells us how much of a difference there actually is, going beyond just saying a diffe...

Definition The P-value is a probability. Specifically, it's the probability of observing results as extreme as, or more extreme than, the results you actually obtained, assuming that there is no real effect. Think of it as a measure of how surprising your dat...

Definition Mixed-methods research is an approach to research that combines both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (interpretive) data collection and analysis techniques. Think of it like looking at a problem through two different lenses. Quantitative re...

Definition In positive psychology, “flow” (often referred to as “being in the zone”) is a state of complete absorption in an activity, where you’re so focused and engaged that everything else seems to disappear. It's characterized by a feeling of energized foc...

The Copernican Revolution wasn't a quick event, but a gradual shift in thought that dramatically changed how we understand our place in the universe. It's named after Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, but it involved many scientists over centuries, and it...

Definition Deindividuation is a psychological state characterized by a loss of self-awareness and personal accountability in a group setting. When people are part of a large group, particularly one that feels anonymous, they can experience a diminished sense o...

Definition Social Exchange Theory is a sociological and psychological perspective that explains social interaction as an exchange of resources. Think of it like a cost-benefit analysis applied to relationships. It proposes that we enter into and maintain relat...

Definition Judgmental heuristics are mental shortcuts that people use to make quick decisions and form judgments. These shortcuts aren’t necessarily wrong, but they rely on simplified information processing rather than careful, logical analysis. Think of them ...

Definition Thin-slicing is the ability to find patterns in seemingly random events, and to make accurate (though often quick and intuitive) judgments based on very limited information. It’s like taking a very thin “slice” of an experience; a brief moment, a fe...

Definition The primacy effect is a cognitive bias that describes our tendency to remember the first items in a list better than items in the middle or at the end. Essentially, when we’re presented with a sequence of information (a list of words, a series of ar...

Definition Belief perseverance is the tendency to stick with your beliefs even when presented with evidence that contradicts them. It's not just about holding a belief, but actively maintaining it even when logically, it shouldn't be held anymore. This happens...

Definition Attribution theory is a social psychological theory that concerns how people explain the causes of events, and especially, other people's behavior. It is related to how we decide why someone did something. We don't just observe behavior; we try to f...

Definition The covariation model is a theory in social psychology that explains how we make judgements about the causes of other people's behavior. We try to figure out why someone did something by looking at whether that behavior co-varies with certain inform...

Definition Perceptual salience refers to how much something stands out in our visual field. It’s about how easily our attention is captured by certain stimuli compared to others. Things that are perceptually salient are noticeable. They stand out. Several fact...

Definition Self-Discrepancy Theory, developed by psychologist E. Tory Higgins, suggests that we have different “self-concepts” and that discrepancies between these self-concepts can lead to emotional distress. The theory proposes three main self-representation...

Definition Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a motivational theory about the conditions that encourage and undermine intrinsic motivation as well as how extrinsic motivation can be internalized and become self-motivated. Essentially, SDT argues that people ar...

Definition Self-Awareness Theory, developed by Shelley Taylor, proposes that we don't always have an accurate understanding of why we do things. Instead, we often look to our surroundings and the actions of others to infer our own beliefs, feelings, and motiva...