all pysche revision Flashcards
(117 cards)
1
Q
What is psychology?
A
The scientific study of the mind and behavior, examining how people think, feel, and act
2
Q
What are the main approaches in psychology?
A
Biological, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, and social approaches
3
Q
What is the nature perspective in psychology?
A
The view that behavior and development are primarily influenced by genetic factors and biological predispositions
4
Q
What is the nurture perspective in psychology?
A
The view that behavior and development are primarily influenced by environmental factors, learning, and experience
5
Q
What evidence supports the nature perspective?
A
Twin studies, adoption studies, genetic research showing heritability of traits
6
Q
What evidence supports the nurture perspective?
A
Cross-cultural studies, effects of environment on development, social learning
7
Q
What are the key ethical considerations in psychological research?
A
Voluntary participation, informed consent, protection from harm, right to withdraw, confidentiality, anonymity, deception, debriefing
8
Q
What is informed consent?
A
Participants must be fully informed about research procedures, risks, and purpose before agreeing to participate
9
Q
When might deception be ethically justified?
A
When necessary for valid research, when no harm is caused, and when followed by thorough debriefing
10
Q
What is epigenetics?
A
The study of how environmental factors can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequence
11
Q
How does epigenetics bridge the nature-nurture debate?
A
Shows how environmental factors can influence how genes are expressed without changing genetic code
12
Q
What is primary socialization?
A
The process during early childhood when children learn norms, values, and behaviors from family
13
Q
What is secondary socialization?
A
The learning process that occurs in environments beyond the family, such as school, peer groups, and media
14
Q
Who are the key agents of socialization?
A
Family, peers, school, media, religion, and workplace
15
Q
What is localization of function in the brain?
A
The theory that different brain regions are specialized for different functions
16
Q
What are the main functions of the forebrain?
A
Higher cognitive functions, sensory processing, emotion regulation
17
Q
What are the main functions of the midbrain?
A
Visual and auditory processing, motor control
18
Q
What are the main functions of the hindbrain?
A
Basic life functions, coordination, balance
19
Q
What is the function of the cerebral cortex?
A
Higher cognitive functions, conscious thought, language, perception
20
Q
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
A
Executive functions, decision-making, personality, motor control
21
Q
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
A
Visual processing
22
Q
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
A
Auditory processing, memory, language comprehension
23
Q
What is the function of the hippocampus?
A
Formation of new memories, spatial navigation
24
Q
What is the function of the amygdala?
A
Processing emotions, particularly fear responses
25
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Regulation of homeostasis, hormone production, control of autonomic functions
26
What are the parts of a neuron?
Cell body (soma), dendrites, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminals
27
What is neurotransmission?
The process by which neurons communicate by releasing chemicals (neurotransmitters) across synapses
28
What is the difference between the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems?
CNS includes brain and spinal cord; PNS includes all nerves outside the CNS
29
What is positron emission tomography (PET)?
Imaging technique using radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity in the brain
30
What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
Imaging technique using magnetic fields to create detailed structural images of the brain
31
What is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?
Imaging technique measuring blood flow to detect brain activity during tasks
32
What is electroencephalography (EEG)?
Technique measuring electrical activity in the brain using electrodes on the scalp
33
What psychological factors may contribute to psychopathy?
Genetics, abnormal brain development, childhood trauma, poor attachment
34
How might brain structures differ in criminals?
Reduced activity in prefrontal cortex, abnormalities in amygdala, altered limbic system
35
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
36
What is operationalizing variables?
Defining abstract concepts in terms of observable, measurable behaviors
37
What is the difference between laboratory and field experiments?
Lab experiments occur in controlled settings; field experiments in natural environments
38
What is random sampling?
Selection process giving all potential participants equal chance of being chosen
39
What is a confounding variable?
Uncontrolled factor that may affect results and threaten validity
40
What is internal validity?
Extent to which a study establishes cause-effect relationship between variables
41
What is external validity?
Extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the study
42
What is reliability?
Consistency of results when measurements are repeated
43
What are demand characteristics?
Cues that may lead participants to guess study aims and alter their behavior
44
How do leading questions affect memory?
Can introduce misinformation and distort recall of events
45
What is the misinformation effect?
When post-event information interferes with memory of the original event
46
What was the significance of the Loftus and Palmer (1974) study?
Showed how language used in questioning can alter memory of witnessed events
47
What is the difference between implicit and explicit memory?
Implicit memory occurs unconsciously; explicit memory involves conscious recall
48
What is semantic memory?
Memory for facts, concepts, and knowledge about the world
49
What is episodic memory?
Memory for personally experienced events and their context
50
What are the components of the multi-store model of memory?
Sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory
51
What is the capacity and duration of short-term memory?
Capacity of 7±2 items; duration of approximately 18-30 seconds without rehearsal
52
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections
53
What is neural pruning?
The elimination of unused neural connections to increase efficiency
54
What is the significance of myelination in brain development?
Speeds up neural transmission and improves efficiency of neural networks
55
What are schemas according to Piaget?
Organized patterns of thought and behavior that help categorize and interpret information
56
What is assimilation?
Incorporation of new information into existing schemas
57
What is accommodation?
Modification of existing schemas to fit new information
58
What are Piaget's four stages of cognitive development?
Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
59
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex refers to biological characteristics; gender refers to social and cultural roles
60
What is gender constancy?
Understanding that gender remains the same regardless of changes in appearance or activities
61
What are the three components of Freud's model of the mind?
Id (pleasure principle), Ego (reality principle), Superego (moral principles)
62
What are the stages of Freud's psychosexual development?
Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital
63
What is Bandura's Social Learning Theory?
Theory that people learn by observing others' behavior and its consequences
64
What are the four processes of observational learning?
Attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation
65
What was demonstrated in Bandura's Bobo doll study?
Children imitated aggressive behavior they observed in adult models
66
What is culture in psychological terms?
Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a group that are transmitted across generations
67
What is the difference between individualist and collectivist cultures?
Individualist cultures prioritize personal goals; collectivist cultures emphasize group harmony
68
What is acculturation?
Process of adopting cultural traits from another group while maintaining original culture
69
What is sports psychology?
Study of how psychological factors affect performance and well-being in sports
70
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic motivation comes from within (enjoyment, satisfaction); extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards or pressures
71
What is self-determination theory?
Theory proposing that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential for motivation and well-being
72
What strategies can improve athletic performance?
Goal setting, self-talk, visualization, anxiety management, focus techniques
73
What are Maslow's five levels of needs (from bottom to top)?
Physiological, Safety, Love & Belonging, Esteem, Self-Actualisation.
74
What is included in Maslow’s Physiological needs?
Basic survival needs like food, water, air, sleep, and shelter.
75
What is included in Maslow’s Safety needs?
Protection, security, stability, and health.
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What is included in Maslow’s Love & Belonging needs?
Intimacy, friendships, family, and social connection.
77
What is included in Maslow’s Esteem needs?
Respect, self-confidence, achievement, and recognition.
78
What is Self-Actualisation in Maslow’s hierarchy?
Reaching your full potential, personal growth, and creativity.
79
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
80
What does it mean to operationalise variables?
Clearly defining how variables will be measured or manipulated.
81
What are independent and dependent variables?
Independent = manipulated; Dependent = measured outcome.
82
What are extraneous and confounding variables?
Extraneous = uncontrolled variables; Confounding = interfere with results.
83
Name 3 types of experiments.
Laboratory, Field, Natural.
84
Name 4 sampling methods.
Random, Convenience, Stratified, Volunteer.
85
Name 3 research designs.
Independent groups, Repeated measures, Matched pairs.
86
Who was Genie Wiley?
A girl isolated for most of her early life, used in a study on language development and critical periods.
87
What psychological theory did Genie’s case support?
The critical period hypothesis (Lenneberg) for language acquisition and neuroplasticity.
88
What were the ethical concerns in Genie’s case?
Lack of informed consent, long-term harm, exploitation, and no clear separation between research and care.
89
What did the Charles Manson case study explore?
Social influence, cult behaviour, and obedience to authority.
90
What is the significance of the Ronald Cotton case?
Eyewitness memory errors and the reliability of identification in criminal justice.
91
What was key about “The Twins Raised Apart” study?
Nature vs. nurture debate – similarities despite separate upbringings.
92
What does the Little Hans case demonstrate?
Freud’s psychosexual theory and the Oedipus complex.
93
What is “The Social Dilemma” documentary about?
The psychological impact of social media algorithms on behaviour and society.
94
Why is Nick Kyrgios used in sport psychology?
Examines motivation, mental wellbeing, and performance pressure in elite sport.
95
What did the David Reimer case illustrate?
Issues in gender identity development and the limits of nurture over nature.
96
What is sport psychology?
Sport psychology is the study of how psychological factors affect performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological well-being.
97
What is mental toughness?
The ability to stay focused, confident, and resilient under pressure and to overcome setbacks in a sporting environment.
98
What is self-regulation in sport?
The ability to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to stay on track and perform effectively.
## Footnote
Example: managing nerves before a game.
99
What is temperament?
A person’s natural personality or emotional reactivity, which affects how they handle stress and competition.
100
What is motivation in sport?
The internal or external drive that pushes athletes to train, improve, and achieve goals.
101
What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
A five-level model of human motivation. From bottom to top: Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love/Belonging, Esteem, Self-actualisation. Each level must be satisfied before moving to the next.
102
What is self-determination theory?
A theory that explains motivation by focusing on three basic psychological needs: autonomy (control over one’s actions), competence (feeling capable), and relatedness (connection with others).
103
What is intrinsic motivation?
Motivation that comes from within, like playing sport for enjoyment or personal satisfaction.
104
What is extrinsic motivation?
Motivation driven by external rewards, like money, trophies, praise, or avoiding punishment.
105
What is an example of intrinsic motivation in sport?
Training every day because you love the sport and want to improve your personal best.
106
What is an example of extrinsic motivation in sport?
Playing harder to win a medal or to impress a coach.
107
What are performance improvement strategies in sport?
Methods used to boost performance, including:
- Play: Encourages creativity, enjoyment, and stress relief.
- Self-talk: Using positive internal dialogue to stay confident and focused.
- Goal setting: Making clear, achievable goals to stay motivated.
- Discipline: Consistently following training routines and pushing through discomfort.
108
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
109
What does the CNS include?
The brain and spinal cord
110
What is the role of the CNS?
It processes information and controls responses by sending and receiving signals to and from the PNS.
111
What does the PNS include?
All the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
112
What are the two main branches of the PNS?
Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System
113
What does the Somatic Nervous System do?
Controls voluntary movements (e.g., moving your arm) and relays sensory info to the CNS
114
What does the Autonomic Nervous System do?
Controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing
115
What are the two branches of the Autonomic Nervous System?
Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System
116
What does the Sympathetic Nervous System do?
Activates the “fight or flight” response—speeds up heart rate, slows digestion, increases alertness
117
What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System do?
Calms the body—“rest and digest”—slows heart rate, stimulates digestion, restores balance
