AP Psych Midterm Flashcards

Study for midterms

1
Q

Experiment:

A

Researcher controls variables to establish cause and effect

Disadvantage: difficult to generalize

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2
Q

Independent Variable

A

Purposefully altered by researcher to look for effect

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3
Q

Experimental Group

A

Received the treatment (part of the IV); can have multiple exp, groups

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4
Q

Control Group

A

Placebo, baseline (part of the IV); can only have 1

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5
Q

Placebo Effect

A

Show behaviors associated with the exp. group when having received placebo

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6
Q

Dependent Variable

A

Measured variable (is DEPENDENT on the independent variable)

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7
Q

Double Blind

A

Where neither the participant or the experimenter are aware of which condition people are assigned to (drug studies)

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8
Q

Single Blind

A

Only participant blind- used if experimenter can’t be blind (gender, age, etc)

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9
Q

Operational Definition

A

Clear, precise typically quantifiable definition of your variables - allows replication

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10
Q

Confound

A

Error/flaw in study

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11
Q

Random assignment

A

Assigns participants to either control or experimental group at random - increase chance of equal representation among groups

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12
Q

Random sample (selection)

A

Method for choosing participants for your study - everyone has a chance to take part, increases generalizability

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13
Q

Representative Sample

A

Sample mimics the general pop.

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14
Q

Positive Correlation

A

Variables increase and decrease toagher

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15
Q

Negative Correlation

A

As one variable increases the other decreases

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16
Q

Naturalistic Observation

A

Adv: Real world validity (observe people in their own setting)

Disadv: no cause and effect

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17
Q

Case study

A

Adv: Studies ONE person (usually) in great detail - lots of info

Disadv: No cause and effect

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18
Q

ETHICAL GUIDELINES

A
  • Confidentiality
  • Informed Consent
  • Debriefing
  • Deception must be warranted
  • No Harm
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19
Q

Neuron

A

Basic cells of the NS

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20
Q

Dendrites

A

Short, branchlike structures of a neuron that receive information from receptors and other neurons

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21
Q

Soma

A

Cell body (includes nucleus)

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22
Q

Axon

A

Part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons and to muscles and glands

23
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing speed of transmission

24
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messenger that cross the synaptic gap between neurons

25
Q

Synapse

A

Site where two or mor neurons interact but do not touch

26
Q

Reuptake

A
  • Method of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft, in which the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into the terminal buttons
27
Q

Endorphins

A

“morphine within”, natural, opiate like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and to pleasure

28
Q

Resting potential

A

Electrical charge (negative) of a neuron when it is not firing

29
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord

30
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

31
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Division of the peripheral nervous system that control’s the body’s skeletal muscles

32
Q

Brainstem

A
  • The oldest part of the central core of the brain
  • Responsible for automatic survival funtions and composed of medulla, pons and reticular formation
33
Q

Pons

A

Structure of the brainstem that allows for communication between the cerebellum, cerebral cortex

34
Q

Medulla

A
  • Base of the brainstem
  • Controls heartbeat and breathing
35
Q

Reticular Formation

A
  • Band of nerve fivers that run through the center of the brainstem
  • Important in controlling arousal levels
36
Q

Cerebellum

A
  • Structure of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary muscular movements
37
Q

Corpus Callosum

A
  • Wide band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
38
Q

Limbic System

A

A group of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex that are involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors

39
Q

Thalamus

A
  • Subcortical structure that relays incoming sensory information to the cerbral cortex and other parts of the brain
  • “Sensory Switchboard”
40
Q

Action Potential

A
  • Brieft electrical charge that travels down the axon
  • A process also called “depolarization”
41
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

42
Q

Refractory period

A
  • Period, after firing, during which the neuron is unable to fire because it is repolarizing
43
Q

Aphasia

A

loss of ability to speak or understand written or spoken language

44
Q

Endocrine system

A

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system, a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

45
Q

Hormones

A

Chemicals produced by the glands of the endocrine system that are carried by the bloodstream to other body tissues

46
Q

Pituitary Gland

A
  • Gland located below the thalamus and hypothalamus
  • Called the “master gland” of the endocrine system because it controls many other glands
47
Q

Acetylocholine (ACh)

A
  • Neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning and memory
  • Undersupply is linked with Alzheimer’s disease
48
Q

Dopamine

A
  • NT that influences movement, learning and attention
  • Overactivity of receptors linked to schizophrenia while an undersupply linked to Parkinson’s disease
49
Q

Serotonin

A
  • NT that affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
  • Undersupply of this NT is linked with Depression
50
Q

Norepinephrine

A
  • NT that controls alertness and arousal
  • Undersupply can depress mood
51
Q

GABA

A
  • Majory inhibitory NT
  • Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors and insomnia
52
Q

Glutamate

A
  • Major excitatory NT
  • Oversupply can overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures
53
Q

Hippocampus

A
  • Structure in the limbic system important in processing memories
54
Q
A