📚 Year 8 Edexcel Psychology: Vocabulary & Terminology Quick‑Memory Guide | Year 8 Edexcel 心理学：词汇术语速记指南
Psychology at Year 8 under the Edexcel framework introduces you to a whole new language – and mastering that language starts with key terms. This guide breaks down the must‑know vocabulary into bite‑sized chunks, giving you both a clear definition and a memorable trick for every term. Use it to build a strong foundation for your future studies.
根据 Edexcel 大纲的 Year 8 心理学课程会带你接触一门全新的语言，而掌握这门语言要从关键术语开始。本指南将必背词汇拆解成小块，为每个术语配上一个清晰的释义和一个好记的口诀，帮你打下扎实的基础。
1. Hypothesis, Aim & Research Question | 假设、目的与研究问题
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. It must be precise and written as a statement, not a question. For example: ‘Students who listen to music while revising will recall fewer words than students who revise in silence.’
假设是对两个或以上变量之间关系的可检验预测。假设必须精确，并以陈述句而非问句形式写出。例如：“一边复习一边听音乐的学生回忆的单词比安静复习的学生少。”
The aim of a study is the overall purpose – what the researcher intends to investigate. A research question is a more open‑ended way to express curiosity, which can then be refined into a hypothesis.
研究目的（aim）是研究的总体意图，即研究者打算探讨什么。研究问题（research question）则是一种更开放的表达好奇的方式，之后可以提炼为假设。
Memory trick: Think of ‘Aim’ as the Arrow you aim at a target, and ‘Hypothesis’ as the Handy prediction you make before shooting.
记忆口诀：把“Aim”想象成你瞄准靶子的箭（Arrow），而“Hypothesis”则是你射击前做出的好用预测（Handy prediction）。
2. Independent and Dependent Variables (IV & DV) | 自变量与因变量
The independent variable (IV) is the factor the researcher deliberately changes or manipulates. The dependent variable (DV) is the factor that is measured; it depends on the change in the IV. If we test whether amount of sleep (IV) affects reaction time (DV), we control sleep and measure reaction speed.
自变量（IV）是研究者有意识改变或操纵的因素。因变量（DV）是被测量的因素；它取决于自变量的变化。如果我们要测试睡眠时间（IV）是否影响反应时间（DV），我们就要控制睡眠并测量反应速度。
Always ask: ‘What am I changing?’ (IV) and ‘What am I measuring?’ (DV).
永远要问：“我在改变什么？”（IV）和“我在测量什么？”（DV）。
Mnemonics: I‑Change (IV) and D‑Measure (DV) – or picture a scientist with an IV drip in one hand and a DV recorder in the other.
记忆法：I‑Change（IV）和 D‑Measure（DV）——或者想象一位科学家一手拿着静脉输液（IV）滴管，另一手拿着 DV 录像机。
3. Extraneous and Confounding Variables | 额外变量与混淆变量
An extraneous variable is any factor other than the IV that could affect the DV if not controlled. A confounding variable is a type of extraneous variable that changes alongside the IV, making it impossible to tell which one caused the effect. For instance, if we test caffeine vs. no caffeine but the caffeine group also took the test at 9am while the no‑caffeine group took it at 3pm, time of day is a confounding variable.
额外变量（extraneous variable）是除了 IV 之外任何如果未加控制就可能影响 DV 的因素。混淆变量（confounding variable）是一种与 IV 一同变化的额外变量，导致无法判断究竟是哪个变量引起了效应。比如，我们测试有咖啡因与无咖啡因，但咖啡因组在上午 9 点测试而无咖啡因组在下午 3 点测试，那么一天中的时间就是一个混淆变量。
To remember: Extraneous = ‘Extra’ that we try to control. Confounding = ‘Confuse’ the results by mixing with the IV.
记忆方法：Extraneous = 我们试图控制的“额外的”（Extra）东西。Confounding = 与 IV 混在一起“混淆”（Confuse）结果。
4. Control Conditions & Random Allocation | 控制条件与随机分配
A control condition is a level of the IV where the experimental manipulation is absent, providing a baseline for comparison. The experimental condition receives the treatment. To reduce bias, participants should be randomly allocated to conditions – each person has an equal chance of being in either group.
控制条件（control condition）是 IV 的一个水平，其中不存在实验操纵，为比较提供基线。实验条件（experimental condition）则接受处理。为了减少偏差，参与者应当被随机分配（random allocation）到不同条件中——每个人都有平等的机会进入任一组。
Random allocation is not the same as random sampling. Random sampling is about how you select participants from a population; random allocation is about how you put chosen participants into groups.
随机分配不同于随机抽样。随机抽样是关于如何从总体中选取参与者；随机分配是关于如何将选中的参与者分入各组。
Memory aid: ‘Control’ = ‘Comparison baseline’. ‘Random Allocation’ = ‘RA – Randomly Assign’.
记忆辅助：“Control” = “比较基线”。“Random Allocation” = “RA——随机分派”。
5. Reliability and Validity | 信度与效度
Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. If you take the same maths test twice under the same conditions and get a very similar score, the test is reliable. Validity asks whether the measure actually assesses what it claims to assess. A test can be reliable without being valid – a broken scale may always show 5 kg too heavy (reliable) but it is not a valid measure of weight.
信度（reliability）指的是测量的一致性。如果你在相同条件下做同一份数学测验两次，并且得分非常相近，那么该测验是可信的。效度（validity）则问测量是否真正评估了它声称要评估的内容。一个测验可以信度高但无效——一台坏掉的秤可能每次都显示多出 5 公斤（可信），但这并不是一个有效的体重测量。
Internal reliability looks at whether items within a test are consistent. External reliability checks consistency over time. Validity comes in forms like face validity (does it look right?) and ecological validity (do findings apply to real life?).
内部信度考察测验内部各项目是否一致。外部信度检查跨时间的一致性。效度有表面效度（看起来对吗？）和生态效度（研究发现适用于现实生活吗？）等形式。
Quick recall: ‘Reliability = Repeatable. Validity = Valuable truth.’
速记：“Reliability = 可重复（Repeatable）。Validity = 有价值的真相（Valuable truth）。”
6. Quantitative and Qualitative Data | 定量数据与定性数据
Quantitative data is numerical – numbers, percentages, scores. It is easy to analyse statistically and graph. Qualitative data is descriptive – words, thoughts, feelings, detailed accounts. It captures depth but is harder to summarise numerically.
定量数据（quantitative data）是数值型的——数字、百分比、分数。它易于统计分析并用图表呈现。定性数据（qualitative data）是描述性的——文字、想法、感受、详细的叙述。它能捕捉深度，但较难以数字方式概括。
You might collect quantitative data through closed questions (yes/no) and qualitative data through open‑ended questions (‘How did you feel?’).
你可以通过封闭式问题（是/否）收集定量数据，通过开放式问题（“你感觉如何？”）收集定性数据。
Mnemonics: ‘Quantity = number, Quality = description.’ Think of ‘Quan‑TIT‑ative’ with a TITle on a graph, and ‘Qual‑IT‑ative’ with words in IT.
助记：“Quantity = 数字，Quality = 描述。”想象“Quan‑TIT‑ative”里有一个图表的标题（TITle），“Qual‑IT‑ative”里包含着文字（IT）。
7. Sampling Methods: Random, Opportunity, Volunteer | 抽样方法：随机、机会、志愿者
Random sampling gives every member of the target population an equal chance of being selected – names from a hat or a random number generator. Opportunity sampling selects people who are easily available, such as students in your school library at lunchtime. Volunteer (or self‑selected) sampling involves participants who actively offer to take part after seeing an advert.
随机抽样（random sampling）让目标总体中的每个成员都有平等被选中的机会——从帽子里抽名字或使用随机数生成器。机会抽样（opportunity sampling）选择那些容易接触到的人，比如午餐时在你学校图书馆的学生。志愿者抽样（volunteer sampling）或自选抽样则涉及在看到广告后主动提出参加的参与者。
Random is most representative but hard to achieve. Opportunity is quick but biased. Volunteer may attract a certain type of helpful person.
随机抽样最具代表性但难以实现。机会抽样快捷但有偏差。志愿者抽样可能吸引某一类热心的人。
Memory tip: ‘Random = Raffle’, ‘Opportunity = On‑the‑spot’, ‘Volunteer = Voluntary ad response’.
记忆小贴士：“Random = 抽奖（Raffle）”，“Opportunity = 当场（On‑the‑spot）”，“Volunteer = 自愿回应广告”。
8. Ethical Guidelines: Informed Consent, Deception, Debrief | 伦理准则：知情同意、欺骗、事后解释
Psychologists must follow ethical rules. Informed consent means participants know the aim and procedures and agree to take part. When full consent cannot be given (e.g. in field experiments), retrospective consent is sought afterwards. Deception should be avoided unless essential, and even then, a thorough debrief must explain the true nature of the study and offer the right to withdraw data.
心理学家必须遵守伦理规则。知情同意（informed consent）指参与者了解研究目的和程序并同意参加。当无法获得完全同意时（如现场实验），则事后寻求回溯同意。欺骗（deception）应避免，除非必不可少，即便如此，也必须通过全面的事后解释（debrief）说明研究的真实性质，并给予撤销数据的权利。
Confidentiality – participants’ data should be anonymised. Protection from harm – psychological or physical harm must be no greater than in everyday life.
保密性（confidentiality）——参与者数据应匿名处理。免受伤害（protection from harm）——心理或身体伤害不得超过日常生活中的水平。
Ethics acronym: ‘CRDP’ – Consent, Right to withdraw, Deception minimised, Protection from harm.
伦理缩写口诀：“CRDP”——同意（Consent）、退出权（Right to withdraw）、欺骗最小化（Deception minimised）、免受伤害（Protection from harm）。
9. Cognitive Key Terms: Encoding, Storage, Retrieval | 认知关键词：编码、存储、提取
Cognitive psychology studies mental processes like memory. Encoding is turning sensory information into a form the brain can process. Storage is holding that information over time. Retrieval is accessing stored information when needed. The multistore model describes memory flowing through sensory register → short‑term memory → long‑term memory.
认知心理学研究记忆等心理过程。编码（encoding）是将感觉信息转化为大脑可以处理的形式。存储（storage）是随着时间的推移保持这些信息。提取（retrieval）是在需要时访问已存储的信息。多储存模型将记忆描述为经由感觉登记→短时记忆→长时记忆的流动过程。
Short‑term memory (STM) holds about 5–9 items for about 18–30 seconds. Long‑term memory (LTM) is potentially unlimited in capacity and duration.
短时记忆（STM）可保持约 5–9 个项目，持续约 18–30 秒。长时记忆（LTM）的容量和持续时间在潜力上是无限的。
Memory rhyme: ‘Encode like a code, Store in a drawer, Retrieve like a receipt.’
记忆打油诗：“编码像密码（code），存储进抽屉（drawer），提取像找收据（receipt）。”
10. Social Influence: Conformity, Obedience, Majority Influence | 社会影响：从众、服从、多数人影响
Conformity is a change in behaviour or belief due to real or imagined group pressure. Obedience is following direct instructions from an authority figure. Majority influence refers to a larger group’s power to sway the minority – size, unanimity, and task difficulty all matter.
从众（conformity）是由于真实或想象的群体压力而改变行为或信念。服从（obedience）是遵从来自权威人物的直接指令。多数人影响（majority influence）指较大群体对少数人的摇摆力量——群体大小、一致性和任务难度都是影响因素。
Normative social influence leads to public compliance to fit in, while informational social influence makes us privately accept the group’s view because we think they are right.
规范性社会影响导致为了融入而公开顺从，信息性社会影响则让我们私下接受群体观点，因为我们认为他们是对的。
Keyword links: ‘Conformity = Copy group’, ‘Obedience = Order from authority’.
关键词链接：“从众 = 复制群体”，“服从 = 来自权威的命令”。
11. Brain and Behaviour: Localisation, Plasticity, Neurotransmitter | 脑与行为：功能区定位、可塑性、神经递质
Localisation of function means specific brain areas are responsible for specific tasks – Broca’s area for speech production, motor cortex for movement. Plasticity is the brain’s ability to change and reorganise through experience and learning. A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger (e.g. dopamine, serotonin) that carries signals between neurons.
功能定位（localisation of function）指特定脑区负责特定任务——布洛卡区负责语言产生，运动皮层负责运动。可塑性（plasticity）是大脑通过经验和学习进行改变和重组的能力。神经递质（neurotransmitter）是在神经元之间传递信号的化学信使（如多巴胺、5‑羟色胺）。
You can memorise: ‘Neurotransmitter = Nerve mail’. ‘Plasticity = flexible plastic brain’.
你可以记住：“神经递质 = 神经邮件（Nerve mail）”，“可塑性 = 柔韧的塑料大脑（plastic brain）”。
12. Research Methods: Experiment, Observation, Correlation | 研究方法：实验、观察、相关
An experiment manipulates an IV to measure its effect on a DV, often in controlled settings. It can show cause and effect. An observation watches and records behaviour without direct manipulation – it can be naturalistic (in real environment) or controlled. A correlation measures the statistical relationship between two co‑variables (e.g. ice cream sales and temperature). It does not imply causation.
实验（experiment）操纵 IV 以测量其对 DV 的影响，通常在受控环境中进行。它可以显示因果关系。观察（observation）则不进行直接操纵，只是观察和记录行为——可以是自然观察（在真实环境中）或受控观察。相关（correlation）测量两个共同变量之间的统计关系（如冰淇淋销量与温度）。它并不暗示因果关系。
A positive correlation means both variables increase together. Negative correlation means as one rises, the other falls. Correlation coefficient (r) ranges from ‑1 to +1.
正相关意味着两个变量一起增加。负相关则是一个上升，另一个下降。相关系数（r）的范围从 ‑1 到 +1。
Quick differentiation: ‘Experiment = I manipulate (cause). Observation = I watch. Correlation = I link (but don’t touch)’.
快速区分：“实验 = 我操纵（cause）。观察 = 我看。相关 = 我关联（但不碰）”。
Published by TutorHao | Psychology Revision Series | aleveler.com
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