Psychology - MCAT Quicksheet Flashcards
(164 cards)
1
Q
What are the three types of neurons?
A
Motor (Efferent)
Interneurons
Sensory (Afferent)
2
Q
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A
Rest-and-digest
3
Q
What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?
A
Fight-or-flight
4
Q
What are the main parts of the hindbrain?
A
Cerebellum
Medulla Oblongata
Reticular Formation
5
Q
What structures are part of the midbrain?
A
- Colliculi
- Tegmentum
- Cerebral Peduncles
6
Q
Location of the Midbrain
A
Topmost part of the brainstem
7
Q
Responsible for eye and eyelid movement in the midbrain
A
Oculomotor & Trochlear
8
Q
Processes visual signals before going to the occipital lobe
A
Superior Colliculi
9
Q
Processes the auditory signal before processing in the thalamus & main auditory processing
A
Inferior Colliculi
10
Q
Describe Tegmentum
A
- Stretches down the brainstem
- Portion of the midbrain
- Helps us keep alert
11
Q
Two areas in tegmentum with specific colors and funcitons
A
- Iron-rich red nucleus (pinkish): for movement
- Periaqueductal Grey: Grey matter, suppresses pain
12
Q
List the components of the forebrain.
A
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Basal Ganglia
- Limbic System
- Cerebral Cortex
13
Q
What is the role of the thalamus?
A
Relay sensory information
14
Q
What does the hypothalamus regulate?
A
Homeostasis with the endocrine system
15
Q
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
A
Smoothens movement and maintains posture stability
16
Q
What are the components of the limbic system?
A
- Septal Nuclei
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Fornix
17
Q
Function of Septal Nuclei
A
Responsible for the following:
* Emotional
* Sexual
* Aggressive
* Modulation of Autonomic Function
* Attention
* Memory
18
Q
Function of the Amygdala
A
*Fear
*Emotion
*Motivation
19
Q
Function of the Hippocampus
A
- Processing of short-term to long-term memory
- Organizing, storing, and retrieving memories
20
Q
Function of Fornix
A
Connector of the hippocampus
21
Q
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
A
Executive function
Impulse control
Long-term planning
Motor function
Speech Production
22
Q
What sensory functions are associated with the parietal lobe?
A
- Sense of touch
- Pressure
- Temperature
- Pain
- Spatial processing
- Orientation
- Manipulation
23
Q
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
A
Visual processing
24
Q
What are the functions of the temporal lobe?
A
- Sound processing
- Speech perception
- Memory
- Emotion
25
6 Neurotransmitters that influences behavior
Acetylcholine
Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin
GABA
Endorphins
26
What is the role of acetylcholine?
* Voluntary muscle control
* Parasympathetic nervous system functions
* Attention
* Alertness
27
What are the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine?
* Fight-or-flight response
* Wakefulness
* Alertness
28
What does dopamine influence?
* Smooth movement
* Postural stability
29
What functions does serotonin affect?
* Mood
* Sleep
* Eating
* Dreaming
30
What is the function of GABA?
Brain stabilization
31
What are endorphins known for?
Natural painkillers
32
What is the nature vs. nurture debate about?
Contributions of genetics vs. environment
33
Define sensation.
Conversion of physical stimuli to neurological signals
34
What is perception?
Process of giving significance to sensory information
35
What do sensory receptors do?
Respond to stimuli and trigger electrical signals
Relays to CNS
36
What is a threshold in sensory perception?
Lowest stimulus to cause a signal
37
What does Weber’s Law explain?
Noticing differences in stimuli based on magnitude and threshold
38
What is signal detection theory?
* How people process information despite background noise
* May focus on memory or stimuli detection
* Pioneered by Gustav Fechner
39
What is response bias?
Providing inaccurate answers rather than truthful ones
40
What is adaptation in sensory processing?
Decrease in response to a stimulus over time
41
What is the visual pathway in order?
* Retina
* Optic Nerve
* Optic Chiasm
* Optic Tract
* Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) of thalamus
* Visual Radiations
* Visual Cortex
42
List the components of the auditory pathway in order.
* Cochlea
* Vestibulocochlear Nerve
* Medial Geniculate Nucleus (MGN) of thalamus
* Auditory cortex
43
What is the role of the cochlea?
Detects sounds
44
What do the utricle and saccule detect?
Linear acceleration
45
What is the function of semicircular canals?
Detects rotational acceleration
46
What is the role of olfactory chemoreceptors?
Detection of volatile/aerosolized chemicals
47
What is the function of taste buds?
Detection of dissolved compounds
48
What is kinesthetic sense?
Ability to tell where one’s body is in space
49
Describe bottom-up recognition.
Recognition from environment, slower, less prone to mistakes
50
Describe top-down recognition.
Recognition from memory, faster, more prone to mistakes
51
What do Gestalt principles explain?
Brains infer missing parts from incomplete images
52
What is habituation?
Getting used to a stimulus
53
What is dishabituation?
Resensitization due to a second stimulus intervening
54
What is observational learning?
Acquisition of behavior by watching others
55
What is associative learning
Pairing stimuli to get a response
56
What is classical conditioning?
Neutral stimulus becomes conditioned to produce a response
57
What is operant conditioning?
Behavior is modified through reinforcement or punishment
58
Categories of human memory
Sensory Memory (<1 sec)
Short-term Memory (<1 min)
Working Memory
Long-term Memory (lifetime)
59
Types of Long-term Memory
Explicit & Implicit
60
Define explicit vs. implicit memory
Explicit (conscious) = declarative memory
Implicit (unconscious) = procedural memory
61
Types of Declarative Memory
Episodic Memory (events/experiences)
Semantic Memory (facts/concepts)
62
What are semantic networks?
Storage and retrieval of factual information through interconnected nodes
63
Recognition vs. Recall
Recognition is stronger than recall
64
What are the stages of consciousness?
* Awake
* Light sleep (Stage 1)
* Sleep (Stage 2)
* Slow-wave sleep (Stages 3/4)
* REM sleep
65
EEG waves of each stage of consciousness
Awake = Beta & Alpha
Light sleep (1) = Theta
Sleep (2) = Theta
Slow-wave sleep (3/4) = Delta
REM Sleep = Mostly Beta
66
What characterizes REM sleep?
Appears awake physiologically, dreams, paralyzed
67
What are dyssomnias?
Issues with amount or timing of sleep
68
What are parasomnias?
Odd behaviors during sleep
69
Role of mesolimbic pathway?
Mediates drug addiction
70
What are the sources of depressants?
* Alcohol
* Barbiturates
* Benzodiazepines
71
Describe Barbiturates
* Sedative-hypnotic medication
* Enhances GABA
* Increases chloride ion flux
* Increases micromolar concentration with anesthetic levels
* For seizure disorders, neonatal withdrawal, insomnia, preoperative anxiety
* Coma = Intracranial pressure
* Helpful for anesthesia
72
Describe Benzodiazepines
* Exerts an effect on Benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS
* Shapes chloride channel in GABA-A
* Changes the central pole that allows chloride ions to enter the neurons
73
What do Benzodiazepines reduce?
* Insomnia
* Acute status epilepticus
* Induction of Amnesia
* Agitation
* Anxiety
* Spastic
* Seizure disorders
74
Functions of Depressants
Relaxes & reduces anxiety
75
What effects & sources of stimulants
Increased arousal
Sources: Amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy
76
Function of Amphetamines
* First-line agent for ADHD
* Second-line agent for narcolepsy
* CNS Stimulant
* Increases dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin
* Enters presynaptic axon terminal
77
Functions of cocaine
* Allowed for topical anesthesia for oral, laryngeal, and nasal cavities
* Useful temporary treatment fo epistaxis
* Blocks sodium and interferes with action potential propagation
* Bindsand blocks monoamine
78
Describe Ecstasy
* Stimulant & hallucinogen
* Produces energizng effect & distorts perception
* Interfere body's ability to regulate temperature
* Sharp increase in body temperature
* Kidney, cardiovascular system failure, swelling of the brain, and death
79
What are opiates/opioids known for?
Decreased reaction to pain and euphoria
80
What do hallucinogens do?
Distort reality and fantasy
Introspection
81
Sources of Hallucinogens
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Peyote
Mescaline
Ketamine
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms
82
What are Piaget’s stages of cognitive development?
* Sensorimotor
* Preoperational
* Concrete operational
* Formal operational
83
Describe sensorimotor stage
Manipulating the environment for physical needs
Includes circular reactions
84
Describe the preoperational stage
Symbolic thinking
Egocentrism
Centration (focusing on one aspect of the phenomenon)
85
Describe the concrete operational stage
Focus on understanding the feeling of others
Manipulating physical objects
86
Describe the formal operational stage
Abstract & Problem solving
87
Types of problem-solving
Trial-and-error
Algorithm
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
88
What is selective attention?
Attention to one stimulus
89
What is divided attention?
Being attentive to multiple stimuli using automatic processing
90
Describe ther Wernicke'sarea
*Located in Cerebral Cortex
*Brodmann Area 22, posterior segment of superior temporalgyrus
*Receives vascular supply from inferior temporal branch of the middle cerebral artery
*Language comprehension
91
What is the function of Broca’s area?
Motor function of speech
92
What did conduction aphasia damage result in?
Arcuate Fasciculus
93
What are the two types of motivation?
Extrinsic and Intrinsic
## Footnote
Extrinsic motivation is driven by external circumstances, while intrinsic motivation is driven by internal desires.
94
What does the Instinct Theory of motivation propose?
Innate fixed pattern of response to stimuli
## Footnote
Instinct Theory suggests that certain behaviors are hardwired and automatic.
95
What is Arousal Theory focused on?
State of being awake and reactive to stimuli
## Footnote
Arousal Theory posits that individuals seek an optimal level of arousal.
96
What does Drive Reduction Theory aim to relieve?
Internal states of tension
## Footnote
Drive Reduction Theory suggests that motivation arises from the need to reduce discomfort.
97
List the five categories in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from highest to lowest.
* Physiological need
* Safety & security
* Love & belonging
* Self-esteem
* Self-actualization
## Footnote
Maslow's theory proposes that individuals must fulfill lower-level needs before addressing higher-level needs.
98
What are the seven universal emotions?
* Happiness
* Sadness
* Contempt
* Surprise
* Fear
* Disgust
* Anger
## Footnote
These emotions are recognized across different cultures.
99
According to the James-Lange theory, what is the first response?
Nervous System Arousal (NSA)
## Footnote
This theory suggests that physiological arousal precedes the experience of emotion.
100
Describe James-Lange's Theory of Emotion
Physiological reaction (ex: heart rate) comes first before labeling our emotions
101
What is the Cannon-Bard theory's first response?
Nervous System Arousal (NSA) + Conscious Emotion (CE)
## Footnote
This theory posits that emotional experience and physiological reactions occur simultaneously.
102
Describe Cannon-Bard's Theory of Emotion
Physiological symptoms aren't enough to determine emotion. It's a combination of physiology, behavior, subjective, and cognitive appraisal
103
In the Schachter-Singer theory, what is combined in the first response?
Nervous System Arousal (NSA) + Cognitive Appraisal
## Footnote
This theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in interpreting physiological arousal.
104
Define Schachter-Singer's Two-Factor Theory
* Physiological arousal determines the strength of emotion
* Cognitive appraisal identifies the emotion
105
What is stress defined as?
Physiological + cognitive response to challenges
## Footnote
Stress involves both physical and mental reactions to perceived threats.
106
What are the two types of appraisal in stress management?
* Primary Appraisal
* Secondary Appraisal
## Footnote
Primary appraisal assesses the relevance of a stressor, while secondary appraisal evaluates coping abilities.
107
Define primary and secondary appraisal
Primary Appraisal = stressor is not a threat
Secondary Appraisal = Evaluating if organism can cope
108
What is distress?
Negative stress that exceeds a person’s ability to cope
## Footnote
Distress can lead to anxiety, overwhelm, and decreased performance.
109
What is eustress?
Positive stress that is challenging but manageable
## Footnote
Eustress can lead to improved performance.
110
List the three stages of General Adaptation Syndrome.
* Alarm
* Resistance
* Exhaustion
## Footnote
These stages describe the body's response to prolonged stress.
111
What does self-concept refer to?
How we describe ourselves, including present, past, and future
## Footnote
Self-concept encompasses our perceptions and beliefs about ourselves.
112
What are identities in the context of self-concept?
Individual components of ourselves relative to groups we belong
## Footnote
Identities can include roles such as gender, nationality, or profession.
113
What is self-esteem?
Evaluation of ourselves
## Footnote
Self-esteem reflects how much we value ourselves and our abilities.
114
What does self-efficacy measure?
Degree of how we see ourselves as capable relative to a situation
## Footnote
Self-efficacy influences motivation and performance.
115
What is the Locus of Control?
Self-evaluation of how we characterize influences in life
## Footnote
It can be internal (believing we control our fate) or external (believing outside factors control our fate).
116
What is Freud’s Stages of Psychosexual Development based on?
Tension caused by libido
## Footnote
Freud proposed that fixation at any stage can impact personality.
117
What is the first stage of Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development?
Trust vs. mistrust
118
Different stages of Erikson's Psychosocial Development
* Trust vs. Mistrust
* Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
* Initiative vs. Guilt
* Industry vs. Role Confusion
* Intimacy vs. Isolation
* Generativity vs. Stagnation
* Integrity vs. Despair
119
What are the three main phases of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning Development?
* Preconventional
* Conventional
* Postconventional
120
What does Vygotsky’s Theory of Cultural and Biosocial Development emphasize?
Development of language, culture, and skills
121
According to the psychoanalytic perspective, what results in personality?
Unconscious urges & desires
122
What are the three components of Freud's personality theory?
* Id
* Superego
* Ego
123
What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?
A theory that prioritizes human needs in a hierarchical order
124
What are the components of the Big 5 Personality traits?
* Openness
* Conscientiousness
* Extraversion
* Agreeableness
* Neuroticism
125
What are Allport’s three basic types of traits?
* Cardinal
* Central
* Secondary
126
Guidebook of Psychological Disorders
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
127
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
* Hallucination
* Delusions
* Disorganized thought and behavior
128
Negative symptoms of Schizophrenia
Disturbance of affect & avolition
129
What defines Major Depressive Disorder?
At least 1 major depressive episode
130
Description of Pervasive Depressive Disorder
Depressed Mood (dysthymia or major depression
Minimum of 2 years
131
What is the defining characteristic of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Colloquial name for MDD with seasonal onset
Depression during the winter months
132
What distinguishes Bipolar I from Bipolar II disorders?
Bipolar I has one manic episode; Bipolar II has one hypomanic and one major depressive episode
133
Explain Cyclothymic Disorder
Hypomanic episode with dysthymia
134
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Constant disproportionate & persistent worry
135
Different types of anxiety disorders
GAD
Specific phobia
SAD
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
136
Explain Agoraphobia
Fear of situations where it's hard to escape
137
Explain a panic disorder
* Recurring attack of intense and overwhelming fear; unpredictable
* May lead to agoraphobia
138
Explain Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
* Persistent & intrusive thoughts and impulses
* Repetitive compulsion that relieves yet causes insignificant impairment
139
Types of dissociative disorder
* Dissociative Amnesia
* Dissociative Identity Disorder
* Depersonalization/derealization disorder
140
Explain Dissociative Amnesia
* Unable to recall past events
* Sudden change of location
* May involve the assumption of a new personality
141
Explain Dissociative Identity Disorder
2 or more personalities take over
142
Explain Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Detachment from the mind and body or environment
143
Define Illness Anxiety Disorder
Preoccupation of a serious medical condition
144
Define Conversion Disorder
* Occurrence of unexplained symptoms
* Affects motor & sensory functions
145
What is the definition of somatic symptom disorder?
Disproportionate concern linked to an underlying medical condition
146
What are the three clusters of Personality Disorders?
* Cluster A: Odd, eccentric, weird
* Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, erratic, wild
* Cluster C: Anxious, fearful, worried
147
Define personality disorder
Inflexible, maladaptive that causes distress and impaired functioning
148
What is Social Facilitation?
Tendency to perform differently when others are around (better or worse)
149
150
What does the Bystander Effect refer to?
Less likely to respond due to surrounding people
151
What is Assimilation in cultural terms?
One culture melts with another
152
What is Socialization?
Process of developing & spreading norms, customs, and beliefs
153
What is the difference between compliance and obedience?
Compliance is changing behavior based on requests; obedience is based on commands
154
What are the two types of social status?
* Ascribed (involuntarily)
* Achieved (voluntarily earned)
155
What does Impression Management involve?
Maintenance of public image
156
What is the definition of Aggression?
Behavior with the intention to cause harm or increase social dominance
157
What is Attribution Theory?
Tendency to infer the causes of others’ behaviors
158
What is a stereotype?
Attitude & impression based on limited & superficial information
159
What is the difference between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism?
* Ethnocentrism: Judging other cultures based on one's own
* Cultural Relativism: Studying cultures on their own terms
160
What is the focus of Functionalism in sociology?
The function & relationship of each component in society
161
What does the Demographic Transition Model represent?
Drops in birth and death rates as a result of industrialization
162
What is Social Capital?
Investment people make in society for economic & collective reward
163
What does morbidity refer to in epidemiology?
Burden or degree of illness associated with a given disease
164
What is mortality in the context of epidemiology?
Deaths caused by a given disease
