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Psychology Chapters 1-2 > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is psychology

A

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes

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2
Q

What is critical thinking ?

A

Process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information

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3
Q

What is pseudopsychologies

A

Psychology that relies upon non scientific or fraudulent methods to explain personality

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4
Q

What are psychology’s 4 main goals

A

DEPC
Description (what)
Explication (why)
Prédiction (when)
Change ( how can we improve)

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5
Q

Nature vs Nature controversy

A

Humans are being controlled by biological and genetic factors vs humans being controlled by their environment and learning

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6
Q

Introspection

A

Looking inward to monitor and report on the contents of consciousness (bias for structuralism)

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7
Q

Structuralism

A

Founded by Edward Titchener
Seeks to identify the elements of thought through introspection and then determine how the basic building blocks (structures) form the experience

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8
Q

Functionalism

A

Strongly influenced by Darwin studies how the mind functions to adapt to others in their environment

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9
Q

Psychoanalytic approach

A

Founded by Sigmund Freud says that the unconscious thoughts and desires greatly influence behavior

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10
Q

Psychodynamic

A

Psychology perspective focuses on the unconscious dynamics, internal motives, and childhood experiences

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11
Q

Behavioral

A

Psychology perspective
Focuses on objective and observable influences on behavior

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12
Q

Humanistic

A

Psychology perspective
Emphasizes free will, self actualization, and human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking

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13
Q

Information processing approach

A

Used by cognitive psychologist likens the mind to a computer that sequentially take in information processes it and produces response

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14
Q

Biological

A

Psychology perspectives emphasizes genetics and biological processes in the brain (parts of the nervous system) as an influence to behavior

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15
Q

Evolutionary

A

Major psychology perspectives focuses on natural selection, adaptation and evolution of behavior and mental processes

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16
Q

Sociocultural

A

Major psychology perspectives focuses on social interaction and cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes

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17
Q

Boipsychosocial model

A

Widely accepted approach views biological processes, psychological factors, and social forces as interrelated influences that interacts with the seven major perspectives

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18
Q

Basic research

A

Research conducted to advance scientific knowledge

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19
Q

Applied research

A

Research designed to solve practical problems

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20
Q

Theory

A

Systematic, interrelated set of concepts that explain a body of data

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21
Q

Informed consent

A

APA guideline regarding human participants saying they much agree to take part in the study after knowing what to expect

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22
Q

DĂ©briefing

A

After completion of the experiment the explanation for conducting the research and clearing up the misconceptions, questions, or concerns

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23
Q

Experimental research

A

Most powerful research method allows experiments to manipulate isolate and control variables and determine cause and effect

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24
Q

Variables

A

Factors in the experiment- Independent (manipulated) or dependent (measured and is affect by dependent) or extraneous (others that could affect study’s outcome)

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25
Exoerimenter bias
Occurs when researcher influences research results in the expected direction
26
Single blind study
Only the researcher and not the participants knows who is in either the experimental or control group
27
Double blind study
Both the researcher and participants are unaware (blind) of who is in the experimental or control
28
Ethnocentrism
Believing one’s culture is typical of all cultures and viewing their own as central and correct
29
Placebo
Inactive substance treatment used as a control technique usually in drug research or given to patient
30
Placebo effect
When patients are given a placebo and have a perceived or actual improvement in medical condition
31
Sample bias
Occurs when research participants are not representative of the larger population
32
Random assignment
Using chance methods to assign participants to experimental or control conditions to avoid extraneous variables
33
Participants bias
Occurs when experimental conditions influence the participants behavior or mental processes
34
Descriptive research
Research methods that observe and record behavior and mental processes without producing casual explanations
35
Survey
Type of descriptive research where a large sample of people are questioned to assess their behaviors and attitudes
36
Case study
Type of descriptive research where an in-depth study is done on a single participant
37
Correlational research
Research method in where variables are observed or measured (without directly manipulation) to identify relationships between them
38
Biological research
Scientific studies of the brain and other parts of the nervous system
39
Cultural universals
Aspects of human behavior and mental processes that are true and pancultural for all people
40
Neuroscience
Field of studying how biological processes relate to behavior and mental processes
41
Neuron
Nerve cell that processes ans transmits information basic building blocks of nervous system responsible for receiving transmitting h electrochemical information
42
Cell body
Part of neuron containing call nucleus as well as other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions aka soma
43
Myelin sheath
Layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons, which increases the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon
44
Action poitential
Neural impulse, or brief electrical charge, that carries information along the axon of a neuron. The action potential is generated when positively charged ions move in and out through channels in the axon’s membrane
45
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap and allow neurons to communicate with one another
46
Endorphins
Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap and allow neurons to communicate with one another
47
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
48
Peripheral nervous system
All nerves and neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body
49
Stem cell
Immature (uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive
50
Reflex
Innate, automatic response to a stimulus
51
Somatic nervous system
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that connects to sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles
52
Autonomic nervous system
Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion.
53
Endocrine system
Collection of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
54
Brain stem
Area of the brain that houses parts of the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, and helps regulate reflex activities critical for survival (such as heartbeat and respiration)
55
Hindbrain
Collection of brain structures including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
56
Medulla
Hindbrain structure responsible for vital, automatic functions, such as respiration and heartbeat
57
Cerebellum
Hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition
58
Midbrain
Collection of brain structures in the middle of the brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, and arousal
59
Forebrain
Collection of upper-level brain structures including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex
60
Thalamus
Forebrain structure at the top of the brainstem, serves as the brain’s switchboard relaying sensory messages to the cerebral cortex
61
Hypothalamus
Small brain structure beneath the thalamus that heps govern drives (hunger, thirst, sex, and aggression) and hormones
62
Lambic system
Interconnected group of forebrain structures involved with emotions, drives, and memory
63
Cerebral cortex
Thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres that regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes
64
Temporal lobes
Two lobes at the front of the brain governing motor control, speech production, and higher functions, such as thinking, personality, emotion, and memory.
65
Occipital lobes
Two lobes at the back of the brain responsible for vision and visual perception
66
Association areas
So-called quiet areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processed by other parts of the brain
67
Split brain surgery
Cutting of the corpus callossum to separate the brain’s two hemispheres. When used medically to treat severe epilepsy, split-brain patients provide data on the functions of the two hemispheres.
68
Behavioral genetics
Study of the relative effects of heredity and the environment on behavior and mental processes
69
Evolutionary psychology
Branch of psychology that studies how evolutionary processes, like natural selection and genetic mutations, affect behavior and mental processes
70
Chromosome
Treadlike molecule of DNA that carries genetic information
71
Gene
Segment of DNA that occupies a specific place on a particular chromosome and carries the code for hereditary transmission
72
Heretabilty
Measure of the degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic, inherited factors versus the environment

Psychology Chapters 1-2 (2 decks)

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