exam revision

Question 1

What is the scientific method?

Answer 1

The Scientific Method:
Focus:
The scientific method is primarily used to investigate hypotheses, test predictions, and establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Steps:
It generally involves observation, asking a question, forming a hypothesis, making predictions, testing those predictions, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.
Goal:
To rigorously test and refine knowledge, often leading to the development of theories.

Question 2

What is an independent variable?

Answer 2

The independent variable (IV) is the variable which is manipulated by the experimenter.

To identify the independent variable, ask yourself, ‘what am I testing the effect of?’

Question 3

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 3

The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that is measured to test the effect of the independent variable.

To identify the dependent variable, ask yourself, ‘what do I have to measure?’

Question 4

What is a controlled variable?

Answer 4

A factor in an experiment or study that is kept constant to ensure accurate results and prevent it from influencing the outcome
e.g.
in an experiment to see if different amounts of fertilizer affect plant growth, the controlled variables might include the type of plant, the size of the pots, the amount of water, and the temperature of the roo

Question 5

What is a case study in relation to research methodologies?

Answer 5

A case study is an in-depth or detailed study
on a particular activity, behaviour, event
or problem. It may be historical,
hypothetical, or current.
* What kind of data does this provide?
* What are the strengths/weaknesses
of this methodology?

Question 6

What is a correlational study in relation to research methodologies?

Answer 6

A study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation

Question 7

What is a an observational study in relation to research methodologies?

Answer 7

Observational studies, or fieldwork, are
a methodology that involves investigation
through observing and interacting with
an environment in a naturalistic setting.
For example, a researcher may decide
to observe students in a classroom.

• What kind of data does this provide?
• What are the strengths/weaknesses
  of this methodology?

Question 8

What is a literature review in relation to research methodologies?

Answer 8

Uses secondary data to answer a question or provide research for comparison before conducting primary data investigations.

Question 9

What is a controlled experiment in relation to research methodologies?

Answer 9

a scientific test done under controlled conditions, meaning that just one (or a few) factors are changed at a time, while all others are kept constant.

Question 10

what methodologies did Piaget’s research use?

Answer 10

Controlled Observation:
Piaget also conducted controlled experiments, such as presenting children with tasks designed to assess their understanding of concepts like conservation.

Observational study / fieldwork
Piaget observed his own three children and other children in their natural settings, documenting their play and interaction

Question 11

What is a sample size?

Answer 11

the number of participants or observations included in a study. This number is usually represented by n. The size of a sample influences two statistical properties: 1) the precision of our estimates and 2) the power of the study to draw conclusions.

Question 12

What is random sampling?

Answer 12

Any sampling technique that uses a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected.

Question 13

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 13

A sampling technique that involves selecting people from the population in a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally represented in the sample.

Question 14

What is an extraneous variables?

Answer 14

A variable that is not the independent
variable, but may cause an unwanted effect on the dependent variable.

The aim of scientific research is to ensure, as much as possible, that any changes to the DV can be attributed to the IV alone. However, this is very difficult to achieve as experiments often
contain extraneous variables.

Extraneous variables (EV) are variables that have the potential to cause an unwanted effect on the DV. Controlling for these variables reduces
error and bias.

Extraneous variables are categorised into different groups:
* Participant-related variables
* Non-standardised instructions
and procedures
* Order effects
* Placebo effect
* Experimenter effects

Question 15

What is primary and secondary data?

Answer 15

Primary data
Data collected first-hand by a researcher.
e.g. Observational research
* Interviewing participants
* Conducting experiments
* Conducting surveys

Secondary data
Secondary data is data that has been sourced from the research of someone else
e.g. Data from public records
* Literature reviews
* Books/historical artifacts

Question 16

What is nature vs nurture?

Answer 16

For centuries, philosophers and psychologists have debated whether it is hereditary factors or environmental factors that make us who we are.

Hereditary factors (aka nature) (n.)
Factors that influence development, whichare genetically passed down from biological parents to their children.

Environmental factors (aka nurture) (n.)
Factors from an individual’s physical or social surroundings that influence development.

the interaction between nature and nurture:
Most traits result from a combination of both the hereditary factors people receive from their biological parents and the environment that they grow up in.

Question 17

What is the interactive influences of hereditary and environmental factors on a person’s psychological development.

Answer 17

Hereditary (Nature)
These are the biological traits passed down from parents to children through genes. They influence:

Personality traits (e.g. temperament, introversion/extraversion)

Cognitive abilities (e.g. memory, intelligence potential)

Mental health risks (e.g. predisposition to anxiety, depression, schizophrenia)

🌱 Environmental (Nurture)
These are the external conditions and life experiences that affect development. They include:

Family upbringing (e.g. parenting style, emotional support)

Education (access to learning, school quality)

Social interactions (peers, culture, community)

Life events (trauma, abuse, poverty, or enrichment)

🔄 Interactive Influence: Nature + Nurture Together
Hereditary and environmental factors interact continuously — one influences how the other expresses itself. This is called gene-environment interaction.

Examples:
Temperament & Parenting: A child may inherit a naturally shy temperament, but warm, encouraging parenting can help the child develop confidence in social settings.

Genetic Risk & Environment: A person may have a genetic risk for depression, but a stable, supportive environment can reduce the likelihood it develops.

IQ & Stimulation: A person may inherit a high IQ potential, but without educational opportunities or mental stimulation, their intellectual development may not reach its full potential.

Question 18

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 18

The biopsychosocial model reflects how biological, psychological and social factors interact to influence psychological development and wellbeing.

• The model helps us to better understand what
  influences health, wellbeing and development, and how to treat problems that arise.

A holistic framework for understanding the human
experience in terms of the influence of biological,
psychological and social factors.

Biological and psychological factors are internal, whereas social factors are external. They work together to influence psychological development and mental wellbeing.

Question 19

What are biological factors?

Answer 19

Genetic and/or physiologically based factors.

• Genetic predispositions
• Medications or other
  substances (eg. drugs, alcohol)
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Hormones
• Diseases

Question 20

What are phycological factors?

Answer 20

Factors relating to a person’s mind, thoughts or feelings

• Attitudes or beliefs
• Emotions
• Personality
• Memories
• Thoughts
• Self-esteem

Question 21

What are social factors?

Answer 21

Factors relating to a person’s relationship or external environment.

Relationships
* Culture
* Socioeconomic status (wealth)
* Education
* Physical environment
* Social support

Question 22

What is the process of psychological development over the course of the life span?

Answer 22

Psychological development,
An individual’s cognitive, emotional and social growth
over time.

It’s a continuous process of change and growth, shaped by various factors including biology, environment, and individual experiences. Developmental psychologists study how these changes occur across different stages of life, from infancy to old age.

Question 23

Define psychological development

Answer 23

An individual’s cognitive, emotional and social growth
over time.
The process of psychological development is unique to each person and continues throughout all stages of life

Question 24

Define emotional development

Answer 24

The continuous, life-long development of skills that allow individuals to control, express, and recognize emotions in an appropriate way.

Question 25

Define cognitive development

Answer 25

The development of mental processes over the lifespan.

Question 26

What is social development?

Answer 26

The development of certain skills, attitudes, relationships and behaviours that enable an individual to interact with others.

Question 27

What is Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory?

Answer 27

Bowlby broadly categorised attachment into two types: secure and insecure. Ainsworth further classified attachment into the following Attachment style : Secure impact on later emotional development: * Able to form healthy and strong emotional bonds and relationships. * Independent and self-sufficient. * High levels of self-esteem and resilience. Attachment style: Insecure-avoidant Impact on later emotional development: * May find it difficult to form strong bonds and be intimate with others. * Tends to ignore or dismiss their own emotions. * Avoids depending on others and asking for help. Attachment style: Insecure-anxious (resistant) Impact on later emotional development: * May heavily depend on others for support. * Seeks others to ‘complete them’.

Question 28

What is Piaget's theory of cognitive development?

Answer 28

As we age, we move from concrete thinking to symbolic thinking. age: 0-2 Stage: Sensorimotor Accomplishments: * Object permanence: Learning that a person/object still exists even if you can’t see them. * Goal-directed behavior: Doing things with a predetermined purpose. Age: 2-7 Stage: Preoperational stage Accomplishments: Ego-centrism :Being unable to see things from someone else’s perspective. Animism: Believing that all objects have some kind of consciousness. Centration: Only focusing on one quality or feature of an object at a time. Age: 7-12 Stage: Concrete operational stage Accomplishment: Conservation: Understanding that an object does not change its volume mass or area, even if its shape or appearance changes. Classification: Ability to organise information into categories based on common features. Age: 12+ Stage: Formal operational stage Accomplishments: Abstract thought: Considering concepts that are not concrete or tangible (able to be touched). Logic: The ability to objectively consider a problem or scenario from multiple pathways

Question 29

What is Harlow's Monkey's experiment?

Answer 29

Harry Harlow (1958) determined that attachment is formed based on physical touch and contact comfort rather than nutrition.

Question 30

What is Erikson social development experiment?

Answer 30

.Social development is deeply linked with emotional and cognitive development, and is heavily influenced by culture and society. * Erikson’s theory says that the behaviour and personality of individuals is shaped by the desire to meet social and cultural expectations. Adolescence stage Is about identify strong belief of self vs role of confusion individuals are unsure of their identity, roles, and place in society.

Question 31

What is a critical and sensitive period and what is the difference between them?

Answer 31

sensitive period: Period of development in which it is optimal to learn a specific function or skill. Critical period: Narrow and rigid period of development in which a specific function or skill must be learnt. What is the difference? Sensitive periods offer broad windows for experience to shape neural circuitry, while critical periods are a subset that can result in irreversible changes to the brain.

Question 32

What is typical and atypical behaviour and what is the difference?

Answer 32

Typical behaviour An activity that is consistent with how an individual usually behaves. Atypical behaviour An activity that is unusual or unnatural according to how an individual usually behaves. What is the difference? Atypical behavior is behavior outside the normal activities for the age group, behavior uncommon or infrequent for the group, socially unacceptable behavior, and/or abnormal behavior. In contrast, typical behavior is regular behavior or actions that conform to the norms of a particular group.

Question 33

What is the criteria when defining behaviour?

Answer 33

What is defined as typical for an individual can be influenced in many ways. It is important to consider the following, when determining if a behaviour is typical or not: * Cultural perspectives * Social norms * Statistical rarity * Personal distress * Maladaptive behaviour

Question 34

What are the strengths and limitations of cultural perspectives and social norms?

Answer 34

What cultural perspectives? Cultural perspectives and social norms involve: – different customs, beliefs, and traditions – expectations for how people should behave – attitudes towards psychological development and mental health * What is typical in one culture or society may not be typical in another. The informal rules that govern behavior in groups and societies. strengths Enables different cultural contexts to be taken into account. * Acts as a baseline for what is typical in a given social context. Weaknesses: * Cultural perspectives can allow for a collective evaluation of a behaviour rather than an individual evaluation. * In a multicultural society, different cultural norms can influence behaviour. * Social norms are situational.

Question 35

What is statistical rarity?

Answer 35

Something that lies outside the range of statistical normality and is also unusual enough to be considered significant. strength Provides an objective perspective, allowing for a more accurate way to categorise behaviours as typical or atypical. Weakness Not all statistical rarities are damaging or negative, making it a less helpful measure.

Question 36

What is maladaptive behaviour What is personal distress and what are the strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 36

An action that impairs an individual’s ability to meet the changing demands of their everyday life. A negative and self-oriented emotional reaction. Strengths * Can be quite visible. * Considers the consequences of behaviour. Weaknesses Some individuals may conceal personal distress, making it difficult to identify atypical behaviours. * What is considered maladaptive can be subjective.

Question 37

What is adaptive and maladaptive behaviour?

Answer 37

Adaptive Being able to adjust to the environment appropriately and function effectively. Maladaptive Being unable to adjust to the environment appropriately and function effectively. Another way of considering what is ‘normal’ is by considering what may be adaptive or maladaptive for an individual. Even though an individual may be either neurotypical or neurodiverse in their cognitive development, all individuals will demonstrate either adaptive and maladaptive behaviours, thoughts, and emotions at one time or another. Adaptive thoughts allow you to get the most out of life, while maladaptive thoughts may prevent someone from engaging effectively with the external environment. * Adaptive behaviours enable individuals to manage different environments. * Being able to regulate and express emotions effectively is adaptive

Question 38

What is neurodiversity?

Answer 38

Variations in neurological development and functioning across groups, such as those experienced by individuals with Autism and ADHD.

Question 39

How does neurodiversity contrast with neurotypicality?

Answer 39

Neurodiversity contrasts with neurotypicality in the way they describe brain function. Neurodiversity emphasizes that there are many valid ways to think, learn, and behave, recognizing brain differences as part of human diversity. Neurotypicality, on the other hand, refers to individuals whose brains function in ways considered standard or typical within a given culture.

Question 40

What therapies do mental health workers provide?

Answer 40

Members of a mental health treatment team who assist in providing a wide range of services and care for patients with psychological or social problems. Diagnosis and management of atypical behaviour Ensure medication is taken appropriately Develop coping strategies with clients Manage mental health records Support for psychological development and and mental wellbeing Facilitate education programs Connect individuals with social services Provide social connection

Question 41

What therapies do phycologists provide?

Answer 41

An individual who is professionally trained in one or more branches of psychology. Diagnosis and management of atypical behaviour Diagnosing mental health and developmental conditions Treating through different types of therapy and counselling Support for psychological development and and mental wellbeing Creating management plans for developmental conditions, such as ADHD Research

Question 42

What therapies do physiatrists provide?

Answer 42

Psychiatrist (n.) A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioural and personality disorders. Diagnosis and management of atypical behaviour Diagnosing mental health conditions Treating mental health conditions through: prescribing medication providing therapy Support for psychological development and and mental wellbeing Creating management plans for developmental conditions, such as ADHD Research

Question 43

What therapies do organizations provide?

Answer 43

Mental health organisations (n.) A company or group that works to address or advocate for mental health, such as through providing support or specialised services. Diagnosis and management of atypical behaviour Counselling and crisis support Raising awareness Early intervention programs Educational programs and workshops Social support services, including financial, employment and group support

Question 44

What are cultural responsive practices and what are examples of some used on clients?

Answer 44

Culturally responsive practices (n.) Acting in a way that responds to the needs of diverse communities and demonstrating an openness to new ideas that may align with different cultural ideas, beliefs, and values. it involves: Having an understanding of different cultures. Being able to accept differences without judgements about right and wrong. Being able to identify risk factors among specific groups without stereotyping people. Being able to respond appropriately to attitudes, feelings and circumstances of different people. Examples of one used on clients: Example – differences in working through grief and loss In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, it is customary to not use the name or image of a person who has passed away. By contrast, in some Western cultures, it is encouraged to talk about a person who has passed away. It is important for mental health workers to be aware of these different practises in order to support an individual experiencing grief in a culturally appropriate way. Example – individualist and collectivist cultures Some cultures prefer to seek support or advice from those that they trust, such as family members or religious leaders, rather than a stranger, such as a counsellor. This means that seeking counselling from a mental health professional may be perceived as potentially harmful. It is important for mental health workers to be aware of these different attitudes in order to build trust and provide support in a culturally appropriate way.

Question 45

What is neuroimaging technique and what is a CT

Answer 45

Neuroimaging technique A range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function, and activities What is a CT scan: A neuroimaging technique that involves taking continuous two dimensional x-ray images of a person’s brain or body in order to provide both two- and three dimensional images. How does it work: * CT involves a dye or contrast being ingested or injected into the bloodstream of a patient * The patient then lies on a bed that slides into a donut-shaped scanner. * A series of x-ray images are taken as the tube spirals around the individual. * The images produced are either two or three-dimensional, and they provide information about the structures of the brain.

Question 46

What is the forebrain and what is its role?

Answer 46

\The forebrain is located at top of the brain. It is responsible for: * Complex mental processes * Attention * Filtering sensory information * Maintaining homeostasis It has three main structures Cerebrum: * Thalamus * Hypothalamus

Question 47

What is the role of the midbrain?

Answer 47

The midbrain is located at the centre of our brain, between the hindbrain and the midbrain. The midbrain is responsible for: Relaying messages * Filtering and directing sensory information * Regulating arousal * Alertness Key structure: * Reticular formation

Question 48

What is the role of the hindbrain?

Answer 48

The hindbrain is located at the base of our brain near the spinal cord. The hindbrain is responsible for basic survival functions, including: Regulation of sleep-wake cycle * Basic survival functions * Coordination of muscle movement Three key structures of the hindbrain: Pons * Medulla * Cerebellum

Question 49

What is the structure and function of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 49

The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain, It is , is responsible for: * higher-order thinking processes (i.e. problem-solving and planning). * memory. * language. * regulation of emotions. Structure: The cerebral cortex contains three quarters of the brain’s neurons, and is comprised of four distinct regions, known as lobes.

Question 50

What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 50

 Reasoning, judging, planning, initiative, including expression of characteristics related to personality and emotional behaviour. Higher order thinking and metacognition.

Question 51

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Answer 51

Touch, spatial sense and navigation (proprioception).

Question 52

What are the functions of the occipital lobe?

Answer 52

Responsible for processing visual information

Question 53

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 53

The primary functions of the temporal lobe include auditory perception, facial recognition, language comprehension, speech, memory, and emotional responses

Question 54

What is neuroplasticity?

Answer 54

The ability of the brain to change in response to experience or environmental stimulation.

Question 55

What is the difference between developmental and adaptive plasticity?

Answer 55

Developmental plasticity refers to Changes in the brain that occur in response to ageing and maturation. While adaptive plasticity is the brain’s ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury.

Question 56

What is synaptogensis?

Answer 56

It is key process of developmental plasticity that involves The formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow.

Question 57

What is sprouting?

Answer 57

It is a key process of adaptive plasticity that is a neuron’s ability to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons.

Question 58

What is rerouting?

Answer 58

It is a key process of adaptive plasticity that is a neuron’s ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron.

Question 59

What are ways to maintain brain functioning?

Answer 59

Mental stimulation such as crosswords Healthy and balanced diet Physical activity social support

Question 60

What is the impact of ABIS on biological psychological and social functioning?

Answer 60

Acquired brain injury (ABI): Refers to all types of brain injury that occur after birth. Type of impact on functioning * Biological: changes to the function of organs and neurons. * Psychological: changes to a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. * Social: changes to a person’s interpersonal skills and interactions with other people