Midterm Flashcards
(165 cards)
1
Q
‘Define psychology
A
Scientific study of behavior and mental processes
2
Q
List the past approaches
A
Scientific, empirical, structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt
3
Q
Scientific method of psychology
A
Based on verifiable evidence obtained
4
Q
Describe the scientific method loop
A
Hypotheses, experiment, results, conclusion, restart.
5
Q
Empirical approach
A
Belief that science should rely on observation
6
Q
Structuralism
A
Relies on introspection (Wilhelm Wundt)
7
Q
Define introspection and its weakness
A
Reporting ones own conscious mental experience. Weakness: Cannot be observed, unreliable, results vary
8
Q
Functionalism
A
Emphasized how the functions of consciousness helps people adapt to environment.
9
Q
Gestalt psychology
A
Looked at how the brain works by studying its perception
10
Q
List the modern approaches
A
Psychodynamic, biological, evolutionary, cognitive, humanistic, behavioral, sociocultural
11
Q
Psychodynamic approach
A
We are motivated by irrational desires
12
Q
Who is the famous psychodynamic psychologist and what did he believe
A
Freud believed behavior came from unconscious drive
13
Q
Biological approach
A
Operation of our brains influence behavior
14
Q
Evolutionary approach
A
Behavior and mental processes is seen in terms of genetic adaptation (Charles Darwin)( Survival of the fittest)
15
Q
Cognitive Approach
A
Behaviors are a result of the way we process information
16
Q
Define cognitions
A
Thoughts, perceptions, memories, states of consciousness
17
Q
Humanistic approach
A
Emphasizes human ability, growth, and the positive side of human nature
18
Q
Behavioral approach
A
Actions are caused by environmental stimuli rather than mental process
19
Q
Sociocultural approach
A
Emphasizes importance of social interaction and learning
20
Q
Survey
A
Questions are asked and subjects report their own answers
21
Q
Naturalistic Observation
A
Subjects are observed in their natural environment
22
Q
Case study
A
One person is studied to reveal universal principles
23
Q
Longitudinal study
A
One group or subject is studied for an extended period of time to observe long term changes
24
Q
Cross-sectional study
A
Studies a cross section of a population
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Correlation studies
Studying the relationship between two variables
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Positive correlation
As one variable increases the other increases. As one variable deacreases the other decreases. Correlation is betwwen 0 and 1
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Negative correlation
As one variable increases the other decreases. Correlation is between -1 and 0
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Zero correlation
No relationship exists between two variables
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How to know strength of correlation
Closer to 1/-1, stronger the correlation
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Illusory correlation
Perception of a relationship where none exists
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Regression towards the mean
Tendency for extremely high or low scores to move closer towards the mean when replicated
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Define hypothesis
Statement that describes the relationship between the IV and DV
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Define IV
Variable changed or manipulated. the cause
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Define DV
The measured outcome. the effect
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Define Experimental group
Receives the treatment (IV)
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Define control group
Measured against; receives the placebo
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Define confounding variable
Variables have unwanted influence on the outcome of an experiment
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Define hindsight bias
Persons tendency to believe they had predicted an outcome
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Define overconfidence
Tendency to be more confident than correct
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Define random selection
Each subject of the sample has an equal likelihood to be chosen for the experimental group
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Double blind study
Both the subject and the administrator do not know the nature of the IV
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Single blind study
Experimenter is aware who is assigned
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Demand characteristics
Cues indicating the aim of the study that cause subjects to change their behaviors based on what they think the research is about
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Personal bias
Researcher allows their personal beliefs to affect the outcome
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Expectancy bias
Researcher allows their expectations to affect the outcome
46
Validity
Experiment measures what it is meant to
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Reliability
Experiment is replicated several times with similar results
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Mean
average score. add all scores then divide by the amount of scores
49
Median
Represented by score that separates upper half from lower half. Middle number when scores are in numerical order, including repeats
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Mode
Score that occurs the most often
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Positive skew
Downward slope
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Negative skew
Upward slope
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Normal distribution (no skew)
Bell shaped curve
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Mean median and mode relationship in a positive skew
mode
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Mean median and mode relationship in a negative skew
mean
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Mean median mode relationship in a normal distribution
mean=median=mode
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Standard deviation
average distance between scores and their mean
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Bio-psychology
Studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes
59
3 main tasks of a neuron
Receive information, carry information, pass the information
60
List the 3 types of neurons
Sensory neurons, Interneurons, Motor neurons
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Sensory Neurons function
Communicate all sensory experience from the sense organs to the brain
62
Interneurons function
Relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons
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Motor neurons
Transport messages away from the brain, to muscles organs and glands
64
Dendrite
Receives incoming messages from other neurons
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Myelin sheath
Protects the axon
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Axon
Neural impulses are sent through
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Soma
Cell body assesses messages and passes the info on
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Schwann Cells
Make up the myelin sheath
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Nodes of Ranvier
Microscopic spaces between the myelin cells that keep the action potential going through the long axon
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Synapse
Gap between neurons that prevents an electrical charge from racing to the next cell
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Synaptic transmission
Electrical message goes through a change in the terminal buttons, turning the electrical charge into a chemical message that goes past the cleft
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ACH function
Muscle function, learning, memory, attention
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Dopamine function
mood and emotion, arousal
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Sertotonin
Mood regulation, hunger and sleep
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Norepinephrine
Arousal and alertness, fight or flight, mood elevation
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GABA
Inhibitory transmitter, regulates sleep-wake cycles
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Glutamate
Excitatory neurotransmitter, basis of learning and long term memory
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Endorphins
Pain control, stress reduction, positive emotions
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Agonist chemicals
Excitatory. Amplify or mimick the sensation of pleasure
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Define reuptake
Neurotransmitters not absorbed by the connecting dendrite are reabsorbed by the sending neuron
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Define Action potential
Electrical charge that travels across the axon. "Fire" signal of the neuron causes neurotransmitters to be released by the terminal buttons
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Define resting potential
Ions in a normal state have a small negative charge (axon gets energy from ions)
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Define depolarization
Initial movement of action potential from the cell body to the axon
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Interneurons in the nervous system
CNS neurons that internally comminicate and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs
76
Antagonist chemicals
Inhibitory. Block the absorption of neurotransmitters
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Define absolute threshold in terms of neurons
Minimum intensity necessary for an action potential to be triggered
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Sodium and potassium gates during depolarization
Sodium gates open while potassium gates remain closed
77
Synaptic vesicles
Small sacs in terminal buttons containing neurotransmitters
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Motor neurons in the nervous system
Carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands
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Refractory period
Period of recharging before a neuron is capable of another action potential
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Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord. They are so important that they are encased in bone for protection
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Peripheral Nervous System
Contains all the nerves which feed into the brain and spinal cord
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What occurs when an action potential reaches the synaptic vesicles
The synaptic vesicles are ruptured and the transmitters spill out. The transmitters then fit into the receptors like a key in a lock
79
Ions during resting potential and the charge
Sodium ions on the outside and potassium ions on the inside. Exterior has a net positive charge, interior has a net negative charge
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Neurotransmitters
Chemicals used in neural communication
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Sensory neurons in the nervous system
Carry incoming information from the PNS to the CNS and brain
80
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral nervous system . Controls the bodys voluntary skeletal muscles
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Autonomic Nervous system
Part of the peripheral nervous system. Controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs
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Sympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic NS. Arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
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Parasympathetic nervous system
Part of the autonomic NS. Calms the body, conserving its energy
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Define reflexes
Bodys automatic response to stimuli
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Relationship between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Homeostatic balance
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Hypothalamus role in the endocrine system
Controls the pituitary gland
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Pituitary gland role in the endocrine system
Controls all responses of the system
83
Define endocrine system
Set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
84
Parathyroids role in the endocrine system
regulate levels of calcium in the blood
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Thyroid glands role in the endocrine system
Affects metabolism
86
Adrenal glands role in the endocrine system
Inner part, medulla, triggers fight or flight response
87
Pancreas role in the endocrine system
Regulates level of sugar in blood
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Ovary/Testes role in the endocrine system
Secretes female/male sex hormones
89
Endocrine system works with ____ while unaroused
Parasympathetic nervous system
90
Define neural networks
Clusters of neurons that work together in the brain
90
How does the brain learn
The brain modifys certain connections in response to feedback
91
Define brain stem
Crossover point where most nerves from each side of the brain connect with the bodys opposite side
92
List the parts of the brains stem
Medulla, pons, reticular formation, thalamus, cerebellum
93
Pons function
Part of the brain stem. Relays signals to the cerebellum about movement, sleep, respiration, equilibrium, facial sensations
93
Medulla function
Part of the Brain stem. Regulates basic body functions including breathing, blood pressure, heart rate
94
Reticular formation function
Part of the brain stem. Keeps the brain alert, monitors incoming sensory messages
95
Thalamus Function
Part of the brains stem. Directs all incoming and outgoing sensory and motor activity
95
Cerebellum function
Part of the brain stem. Enables actions we perform without consciously thinking about
96
List the parts of the limbic system
Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus
97
Define limbic system
Works with the thalamus to create capability of emotions and memory
98
Hippocampus function
Part of the limbic system. Connects your present with your past memories
98
Amygdala function
Part of the limbic system. Relates to memory and emotion, feelings of pleasure
98
Hypothalamus function
Part of the limbic system. Regulates body temp, fluid levels, nutrients. Tells the body how to respond when it detects an imbalance
99
4 lobes of the cerebral cortex
(One of each on each hemisphere, totalling in 8) Frontal, Occipital, Parietal, Temporal
99
Define cerebral cortex
Thin layer of interconnected neural cells. Brains ultimate control and information-processing center
100
Frontal lobe function
Decision making, higher order thinking and reasoning
100
Parietal lobe function
Used for general processing, touch sensations
101
Occipital lobe function
Used for processing vision
101
Temporal Lobe function
Used for processing hearing
102
4 cortices of the cerebral cortex
(One of each per hemisphere, totaling in 8) Motor, Somatosensory, Visual, Auditory
103
Somatosensory cortex function
Processes bodys touch and movement sensations
104
Motor cortex function
In charge of movement
105
Auditory cortex
Temporal lobe
105
Visual cortex
Occipital lobe
106
Brocas Area function
Directs muscle movements important to speech producton
107
Wernickes area
Controls receptive language
108
Tasks of the left hemisphere
Speech, thinking in words, logic, positive emotions, controls right side of body
109
Tasks of the right hemisphere
Thinking in pictures, artistic abilites, negative emotions, controls left side of body
110
Assosciation areas
Local, regionalized areas involved with higher level brain functions
111
Define plasticity in the brain
The brain can change and adapt to new circumstances
112
EEG
Electrodes placed on the scalp measure electrical activity in neurons
113
MEG
Measures the magnetic field from neuron electrical activity to identify malfunctioning neurons
114
CT Scan
Series of X Ray photos from different angles and are combined
115
PET
Visual display of brain activity that detects where radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a task
116
MRI
Studies structure of the brain using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue
117
fMRI
Studies the function of the brain by looking at bloodflow
118
Define innate abilities
Things we are pre-programmed to do
119
Define evolution
Gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment
120
Define natural selection
Individuals best adapted to the environment are more likely to reproduce
121
Define genotype
Organisms genetic makeup
122
Define genes
Segment of chromosome that encodes the directions for the inheirited physical and mental characteristics of an organism
122
Define phenotype
Organisms physical characteristics
123
Define chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain your genes
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Define epigenetics
Study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
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