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MCAT Psychology + Sociology > Chapter 4 > Flashcards

Chapter 4 Flashcards

(88 cards)

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1
Q

Selective attention

A

One input is attended to, rest are tuned out

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2
Q

Broadbent Filter Model of Selective Attention

A

Inputs first enter sensory buffer, and then selected/filtered by physical characteristics of the input. Information gets transformed into short term memory

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3
Q

Cocktail party effect

A

Information of importance from previously unattended channels catches your attention

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4
Q

Anne Treisman’s Attentuation Model

A

Mind has a “volume knob” that turns down sensory information vs. removing it

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5
Q

Selective priming

A

People can be selectively primed to observe something, by frequently encountering it

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6
Q

Spotlight model

A

Spotlight can beam anywhere on visual field - movement of attention, but not movement of eyes

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7
Q

Binding problem

A

Relating characteristics to a thing: if someone is too distracted, or observing two things, they might confuse the colours

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8
Q

Divided attention

A

If/when we are able to perform multiple tasks

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9
Q

Resource model of attention

A

We have a limited pool of resources on which to draw while performing tasks

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10
Q

Information processing models (2 assumptions)

A
  1. Information is taken from the environment

2. Information is processed in series of steps: attenion, perception and storage into memory

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11
Q

Alan Baddeley’s model

A

Short-term memory: working memory

4 components

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12
Q

4 components of working memory

A
  1. Phonological loop
  2. Visuospacial sketchpad
  3. Episodic buffer
  4. Central executive
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13
Q

Phonological loop

A

Allows us to repeat verbal information to help remember

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14
Q

Visuospacial sketchpad

A

Mental images to remember

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15
Q

Episodic buffer

A

Integrates information from phonological loop and visuospacial sketchpad with sense of time and interface with long term memory stores

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16
Q

Central executive

A

Oversees processes by phonological loop, visuospacial sketchpad and episodic buffer, and orchestrates process by shifting/dividing attention

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17
Q

Jean Piaget

A

One of first developmental psychologists

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18
Q

Schemas

A

Mental frameworks that shape and are shaped by experience

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19
Q

Assimilate

A

Conforming information into existing schemas

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20
Q

Accomodate

A

Adjusting schemas to take into account new experiences

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21
Q

Piaget’s 4 developmental stages

A
  1. Sensorimotor Stage
  2. Preoperational Stage
  3. Concrete Operational Stage
  4. Formal Operational Stage
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22
Q

Sensorimotor stage

A

Birth - 2yo

Object permanence

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23
Q

Preoperational stage

A

2-7yo

Learning about symbols - words/images

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24
Q

Concrete operational stage

A

7-11yo
Thinking logically about concrete events
Conservation

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25
Conservation
Volume remain the same regardless of change in shape
26
Formal Operational Stage
12-adulthood | Abstract reasoning and moral reasoning
27
Heuristics
Mental shortcuts
28
Insight
Sudden inspiration
29
Confirmation bias
Tendency to search only for information that confirms preconceived thinking
30
Fixation
Inability to see problem from fresh perspective | Results from existence of mental set
31
Mental set
Tendency to fixate on solutions that works in the past, but may not apply to current situation
32
Functional fixation
Tendency to perceive functions of objects as fixed and unchanging
33
Belief bias
Tendency to judge arguments based on what one believes about their conclusions rather than logic
34
Belief perseverance
Tendency to cling to beliefs despite presence of contrary evidence
35
Over confidence
Overestimation of accuracy of knowledge and judgements
36
Frame
How something is presented to make it more favourable
37
Consciousness
Awareness we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment
38
Alertness
Ability to remain attentive to what is going on
39
Polysomnography
Multimodel technique to measure physiological processes during sleep
40
Components of polysomnography (3)
1. Electroencephalogram 2. Electromyogram 3. Electrooculogram
41
Alpha waves
Awake, but sleepy and relaxed
42
Stage 1 sleep
non-REM sleeep | Theta waves
43
Stage 2 sleep
K-complexes and sleep spindles
44
K-complex
1/2 second | Single wave among theta waves
45
Sleep spindles
Bursts of waves, 12-14 hz
46
Stage 3 + 4 sleep
Delta waves | High-frequency waves decrease
47
REM sleep
Bursts of quick eye movement Last stage of sleep Low muscle movement - paradoxical sleep
48
Circadian rhythms
Biological waxing and waining of alertness over 24h day
49
REM rebound
Missing REM sleep one night causing increase in REM sleep next night
50
Manifest content
Freud believes its symbolic of underlying latent content
51
Latent content
Unconscious drives and wishes that are difficult to express
52
Activation synthesis theory
Dreams are byproducts of the brain activation during REM sleep
53
Dyssomnias
Abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep, including narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep apnea
54
Insomnia
Most common sleep disorder, difficulty falling or staying asleep
55
Narcolepsy
Periodic, overwhelming sleepiness during waking periods that last less than 5 min NT: hypocretin
56
Sleep apnea
Intermittently stop breathing during sleep
57
Parasomnias
Abnormal behaviours that occur during sleep
58
Somnabulism
Sleep walking | During slow wave sleep - stage 3
59
Night terrors
Occur during stage 3
60
Hypnotism
Social interaction in which hypnotist: allowing them to let go Not everyone is as susceptible
61
False memories
Using imagination to create inaccurate memories
62
Dissociation theory
Hypnotism is an extreme form of divided consciousness
63
Social influence theory
People do and report what's expected of them: such as an actor lost in their roll (Re: hypnotism)
64
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Protocol commonly used in medical setting to alleviate stress
65
Depressants
Drugs that depress neural activity
66
Barbiturates
Depress sympathetic nervous system
67
Opiates
Derivatives of opium Depress neural functioning Reduce pain by mimicking brain's pain relievers (endorphins)
68
Hallucinogens
Psychedelics | Distort perceptions in absence of sensory input
69
Psychological dependence
Use of drugs due to painful emotions
70
Physical dependence
Evidenced by withdrawal
71
Nucleus accumbens
Pleasure center of the brain
72
3 components of emotion
1. Physiological 2. Behavioural 3. Cognitive
73
Universal emotions
6 | Happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger
74
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Relationship between performance and emotion is upsidedown U
75
James-Lange Theory
We experience the physiological arousal, and then understand what emotion it is attributed to (1-1 correlation between physical state and emotion)
76
Cannon-Bard Theory
After a stimulus, the physiological response and experience of emotion occur simultaneously and independently
77
Schachter-Singer Theory
Once we experience physiological arousal, we make a conscious cognitive interpretation based on our circumstances that allow us to identify the emotion we are experiencing
78
Limbic system
Collection of structures that lie on both side of thalamus, primarily responsible for emotional experiences
79
Hippocampus
Part of the limbic system | Responsible for memories
80
Phineas Gage
Damage to prefrontal cortex during work, became different person: impulsive, lacking empathy
81
Appraisal
How stressful an event is to an individual
82
Catastrophes
Unpredictable, large-scale events | Dangerous and stress-inducing
83
Significant life changes
Common in young adults, cause high levels of sress
84
Daily hassles
Everyday irritants | Can accumulate and lead to health problems
85
Learned helplessness
Sense of exhaustion and lack of belief in ability to manage situations Caused by perceived lack of control over situations
86
Cortisol
Glucocorticoid, shifts body form using sugar, towards fat
87
Broca's Area
Located in dominant hemisphere (left) in frontal lobe | Speech production
88
Wernicke's area
Posterior section of temporal lobe | Comprehension of speech and written language

MCAT Psychology + Sociology (5 decks)

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