IB Psychology 3. Contexts Key Definitions

Acculturation is the process people go through when coming into contact with a new culture, which usually involves adaptation.

The process of growth and change that occurs throughout a person's life, influenced by biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors.

A question that asks about two things at once, so the respondent cannot answer one without also answering the other (e.g., "Do you find this app fast and reliable?").

The process by which individuals learn and adopt the cultural norms, values, and behaviors of their society.

Agreement to participate in a study after being told its purpose, procedures, foreseeable risks, and right to withdraw.

A qualitative research method in psychology in which a researcher asks a participant questions directly, in person or remotely, to understand the thinking, feelings, or experience behind a behaviour in the participant's own words.

A question whose wording subtly suggests a particular answer or activates a specific schema, biasing the response of the person being asked.

A question that contains an unjustified assumption, so that any answer the respondent gives appears to confirm it (e.g., "Have you stopped lying to your parents?").

A pattern of behaviour or thinking that causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, and that deviates from cultural norms about what is expected or healthy.

The brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to experience.

A chemical messenger released by a neuron at the synapse that carries a signal to the next neuron.

A research method that records behaviour directly, without asking the participant to report it.

An interview in which the researcher has a planned set of topics or core questions but can ask follow-ups and rephrase as the conversation develops.

The tendency for participants to answer in a way that makes them look good rather than report honestly.

An interview in which every participant is asked the same set of pre-written questions in the same order, prioritising comparability over flexibility.