Psychology 100: General Psychology Unit 1 Objectives

Front 1

Empiricism

Back 1

The view that knowledge comes from experience and observation. Pg. 9, Chapter 1

Front 2

Epistemology

Back 2

Branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and origin of knowledge. Not in book; online definition (Dictionary.com)

Front 3

Critical thinking

Back 3

The process of assessing claims and making judgements based on well-supported evidence. Pg. 20, Chapter 1

Front 4

Hypothesis

Back 4

In scientific research, a specific, testable proposition about a phenomenon. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Hint 4

Example: EMDR treatment causes a significant reduction in anxiety.

Front 5

Operational definitions

Back 5

Statements that define phenomena or variables by describing the exact research operations or methods used in measuring or manipulating them. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Hint 5

Example: EMDR treatment is a certain number of back-and-forth eye movements per second for a particular amount of time.

Front 6

Variables

Back 6

Specific factors or characteristics that can take on different numerical values in research. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Hint 6

Example: the kind of treatment a client is given and the results of the treatment.

Front 7

Statistical reliability

Back 7

The degree to which test results or other research evidence occurs repeatedly. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Front 8

Statistical validity

Back 8

The degree to which evidence from a test or other research method measures what it is supposed to measure. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Front 9

Randomizing

Back 9

A procedure through which random variables are evenly distributed in an experiment by placing participants in experimental and control groups on the basis of a coin flip or some other random process. Pg. 31, Chapter 1

Front 10

Random sampling

Back 10

A group of research participants selected from a population, each of whose members had an equal chance of being chosen. Pg. 32, Chapter 1

Front 11

Confounding variables

Back 11

Any factor that affects the dependent variable along with, or instead of, the independent variable. Pg. 31, Chapter 1

Front 12

Correlation

Back 12

The degree to which one variable is related to another. Pg. 26, Chapter 1

Front 13

Dependent variable

Back 13

In an experiment, the factor affected by the independent variable. Pg. 28, Chapter 1

Front 14

Placebo

Back 14

A treatment that contains no active ingredient but produces an effect because the person receiving it believes it will.

Front 15

Sampling

Back 15

The process of selecting participants who are members of the population that the researcher wishes to study. Pg. 32, Chapter 1

Front 16

Experiment

Back 16

A situation in which the researcher manipulates one variable and observes the effect of that manipulation on another variable, while holding all other variables constant. Pg. 28, Chapter 1

Front 17

Independent variable

Back 17

In an experiment, the variable manipulated by the researcher. Pg. 28, Chapter 1

Front 18

Biased sampling

Back 18

A group of research participants selected from a population, each of whose members did not have an equal chance of being chosen. Pg. 32, Chapter 1

Front 19

Behavioral genetics

Back 19

The study of how genes and environments interact to affect behavior and mental processes. Pg. 34, Chapter 1

Front 20

Double-blind design

Back 20

A research design in which neither the experimenter nor the participants know who is in the experimental group and who is in the control group. Pg. 32, Chapter 1

Front 21

Reification

Back 21

Treating hypothetical concept as if it was absolutely true. In-class notes 10/3

Front 22

Hypothetical Concepts

Back 22

Made up term to describe/explain a relationship (like gender, gravity, etc). In-class notes 10/3

Front 23

Hypothetical Construct

Back 23

Is an explanatory variable which is not directly observable. Wikipedia

Front 24

Critical Thinking Steps

Back 24

What am I being asked to believe or accept?

Is evidence available to support the claim?

Can that evidence be interpreted another way?

What evidence would help to evaluate the alternatives?

What conclusions are most reasonable?

Front 25

Anthropomorphize

Back 25

To ascribe human form or attributes to (an animal, plant, material object, etc.). Dictionary.com

Hint 25

Example: when you talk about a thing as if it were human

Front 26

Theory

Back 26

An integrated set of propositions used to explain certain phenomena, including behavior and mental processes. Pg. 23, Chapter 1

Hint 26

Example: after examining research evidence, scientists may begin to favor certain explanations

Front 27

Mechanistic Worldview

Back 27

A belief that behavior and behavior change are predictable, lawful phenomena that can, theoretically, be fully understood through the use of systematic, objective empirical research methods. Social.jrank.org

Hint 27

Example: natural wholes (principally living things) are like complicated machines or artifacts, composed of parts lacking any intrinsic relationship to each other. Wikipedia

Front 28

Ontology/Metaphysics

Back 28

Study of what is real

Hint 28

Example: what the bleep do you know anyways?

Front 29

Neurons

Back 29

Specialized cells of the nervous system that send and receive messages. Pg. 46, Chapter 2

Hint 29

Front 30

Glial cells

Back 30

Nervous system cells that hold neurons together and help them communicate with each other. Pg. 47, Chapter 2

Front 31

Action potential

Back 31

The electrochemical impulse or message that is sent down an axon and simulates the release of a neurotransmitter. Pg. 48, Chapter 2

Speed of an action potential depends on thickness or diameter of the axon and on the presence of myelin.

Myelin speeds up action potentials by wrapping around some axons like a stocking.

Hint 31

Example: the communication signal between neurons begins with this electrochemical pulse, which shoots down the axon.

Front 32

Refractory period

Back 32

A short recovery time after cell firing, during which the cell cannot fire again. Pg. 48, Chapter 2

Front 33

Neurotransmitter

Back 33

A chemical that transfers messages across synapses. Pg. 49, Chapter 2

Front 34

Synapse

Back 34

The tiny gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another, across which they communicate (coordinate). Pg. 48, Chapter 2

Front 35

Dendrites

Back 35

Fibers that receive signals from the axons of other neurons. Pg. 48, Chapter 2

Front 36

Coordination between Neurons

Back 36

Action potential shoots down the axon, away from cell body.

A neurotransmitter is released into the synapse, dendrites of neighboring neurons detect it.

If there is a receptor for the neurotransmitter on the dendrites, neurotransmitter and receptor bind, creating electrochemical signal.

If signal is strong enough, spreads down the dendrites and across the cell body of the next neuron and begins another action potential. Pg. 49, Chapter 2

Hint 36

Front 37

Associated behaviors of neurotransmitters

Back 37

Dopamine [DA]: finely coordinated movement, experience of a reward.

Serotonin [5-Ht]: mood/arousal (alert or wakefulness)

Norepinephrine [NE]: mood, mobilize the brain & body for action (released during fight-or-flight)

Acetylcholine [Ach]: gross coordinated movement (legs while walking)

Glutamate [Glu]:

Gamma amino butyric acid [GABA]: sends signal to stop other neurons from sending signals (positive feedback loop prevention).

Hormones: endorphins, melatonin, etc.