Psychology Chapters 1 And 2

Front 1

Psychology is the __________ study of ____________ and __________ _____________.

Back 1

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

It follows the scientific method and is based on empirical evidence.

Front 2

Psychology comes from the term psyche meanng _____ and logos meaning ________.

Back 2

Psyche = mind

logos = word

Front 3

True or false, mental processes can be directly observed and recorded.

Back 3

False

Front 4

____________ ______________ is the process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information.

Back 4

Critical thinking.

Front 5

What are pseudopsychologies?

Back 5

Views based on common beliefs, folk wisdom, or superstitions. Do NOT follow the scientific method.

Front 6

Who is the "Father of Psychology?" When and where did he open the first psychological lab?. What term describes his chief methodology of self-monitoring and reporting of conscious experiences? What was the weakness of this approach?

Back 6

Wilhelm Wundt is the father of psychology. He opened his lab in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany. He used INTROSPECTION to study self monitoring and the reporting of conscious experiences. Weakness: could not study animals or children with introspection.

Front 7

Who brought Wundt's introspection approach to the United States and what was it called in the US? What is it's weakness?

Back 7

Edward Titchener brought Wundt's introspection approach to the US where it was called STRUCTURALISM. It sought to identify the basic building blocks (structures) of mental life through introspection and then to determine how these elements combine to form the whole life experience. Weakness: could not study animals or children.

Front 8

What methodology followed structuralism and was the first to include the study of observable behaviors, thereby being the start of the psychological testing movement? State and define it. What person was considered it's founder?

Back 8

FUNCTIONALISM - studied the way the mind function to enable humans and other animals to adapt to their environment. William James was considered it's founder.

Front 9

Who founded the psychoanalytic perspective in the late 1800's and early 1900's and what does it entail?

Back 9

Sigmund Freud founded the psycoanalytic persective which believed that the unconscious part of the mind (the Id) contained thoughts, memories and desires that one is unaware of yet still exert great influence. He thought psychological behaviors are caused by the Id's sexual or aggressive motives and conflicts between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Front 10

What 7 major perspectives does contemporary psychology reflect?

Back 10

1. psychodynamic

2. behavioral

3. humanistic

4. cognitive

5. biological

6. evolutionary

7. sociocultural

Front 11

Explain the Psychodynamic Persective. What person's views in psychology fall into this category?

Back 11

Explores unconscious dynamics (internal motives, conflicts, and past experiences.) Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic perspective belongs here.

Front 12

Explain the behavioral perspective. Who founded behaviorism?

Back 12

Behaviorism emphasizes objective, observable environmental influences on overt behavior. Rejects introspection and unconscious forces. Behavior is a result of observable environmental stimulii which cause observable behavioral actions. John B. Watson founded behaviorism. He agreed with Ivan Pavlov's conditioning concept. (Ring a bell feed a dog. Eventually you ring a bell and dog starts to salivate.) B. F. Skinner believed behaviorist approaches could be used to "shape" human behavior. (get rid of bad habits, addictions.) This was the start of animal research. ("Skinner Rats" were trained to press a lever and get a reward.)

Front 13

Explain the humanistic perspective. Who are the founders?

Back 13

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow are the founders. Humanism stresses free will (voluntary chosen behavior) and self-actualization (an inborn drive to develop all one's talents and capabilities.) All people naturally strive to have self-actualization. And personality has an influence of behavior/

Front 14

Why type of psychology came from the humanistic perspective?

Back 14

Positive psychology - the study of optimal human functioning.

Front 15

Explain the cognitive perspective

Back 15

The cognitive perspective recalls psychology's earliest days in that it emphasizes thoughts, perception, and information processing. Study's the way we gather, encode, and store information using a vast array of mental processes (perception, memory, imagery, concept formation, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and language.) Uses the INFORMATION-PROCESSING APPROACH - likens the mind to a computer that takes in info, processes it, and then produces a response.

Front 16

Explain the Biological perspective

Back 16

Behavior is examined through the genetics adn biological processes in the brain and nervous system. Our genes can determine our behaviors. (research supports this).

Front 17

Explain the Evolutionary Perspective

Back 17

Stresses natural selection, adaptation, and the evolution of behavior and mental processes. Natural selection favors behaviors that enhance an organisms reproductive success. (example: humans have longer lives than other animals so that grandmothers can help take care of their babies).

Front 18

Explain the socio-cultural perspective

Back 18

Emphasizes social interaction and cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes. Ethnicity, religion, occupation, and socioeconomic class all have a great impact on our mental processes and behaviors.

Front 19

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Back 19

Combines all 7 perspectives. Views biological processes (genetics, neurotransmitters, evolution), psychological factors (learning, personality, motivation), and social forces (family, culture, gender, and ethnicity) as interrelated.

Front 20

What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Back 20

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, unlike psychologists, and must evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments, or strictly psychiatric.As part of the clinical assessment process, psychiatrists may employ a mental status examination; a physical examination; brain imaging such as a computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) scan; and blood testing. Psychiatrists prescribe medicine, and may also use psychotherapy, although the vast majority do medical management and refer to a psychologist or other specialized therapist for weekly to bi-monthly psychotherapy.

A psychologist is a professional who evaluates and studies behavior and mental processes[1] (see also psychology). Typically, psychologists must have completed a university degree in psychology, which is a master's degree.

Front 21

What's the difference between basic research and applied research?

Back 21

Basic research is conducted to advance core scientific knowledge. (usually conducted in a lab). Applied research is designed to solve practical real world problems. (Usually conducted outside of a lab).

Front 22

The cyclical and cumulative research process used for gathering and interpreting objective information in a way that minimizes error and yields dependable results

Back 22

The scientific method.

Front 23

A tentative and testable explanation or educated guess about the relationship between two or more variables.

Back 23

Hypothesis.

Front 24

A precise description of how the variables in a study will be observed, manipulated, and measured.

Back 24

Operational definition.

Front 25

What are the 6 steps to the scientific method?

Back 25

1. Develop a question and do a literature review

2. Form a Testable hypothesis

3. Research design

4. Data collection and Statistical Analysis

5. Publication in a journal and peer review

6. Theory development

Front 26

Define statistical significance

Back 26

A statistical statement of how likely it is that a study's result occurred merely by chance.

(you take the results of a study and you do a statistical analysis that measures the difference between the 2 groups (control and experimental grps) and determines if the difference is large enough so say it did not occur by chance.)

Front 27

A report of the combines results of many different studies of the same topic created to reach conclusions about the overall weight of the evidence. A statistical technique for combining and analyzing data from many studies in order to determine overall trends.

Back 27

A Meta-analysis

Front 28

Define a theory

Back 28

An organized, interrelated set of concepts that explain a phenomenon or body of data.

Front 29

Why are studies replicated

Back 29

Replicating a study (copying it to see if you get the same results) is done to either strengthen or weaken the study. If the results are the same, the study is strengthened and the results are strengthened. If it can be replicated many times if is considered very strong.

Front 30

What are the 4 Major goals/ assumptions of psycologist conduction research?

Back 30

To (1)describe, (2)explain, (3)predict, and (4)change behavior and mental processes.

Front 31

What are the 3 research methods in psychology?

Back 31

1. Descriptive research

*Naturalistic Observation

*Survey/Interview

*Case Study

*Archival research

2. Correlational research

3. Experimental research

Front 32

Explain Naturalistic Observation

Back 32

A type of descriptive research, behavior is observed and recorded in the natural setting without interferrence. Weakness: lack of control over variables.

Front 33

Explain Survey/Interview

Back 33

A type of descriptive research. Allows one to gather data from a larger group of people than y observation alone. Weakness: relies on self-reported data and not all participants are honest.

Front 34

Explain a Case Study

Back 34

An in-depth study of a single research participant. For rare disorders or phenomena, researchers study only one person intensively b/c they can't find more cases.

Front 35

Explain archival research

Back 35

A type of descriptive research. Researchers study archives, or previously recorded data.

Front 36

Define Correlational research

Back 36

Research that measures the degree of relationship (if any) between two or more variables in order to determine how well one variable predicts another. Determines correllation only, not causation.

Front 37

What is the correlational coefficient?

Back 37

There are two variables that have a suspected correlation. The two variables are measured and then statistically analyzed to produce a correlation coefficient of value +1 to -1. -1= a perfect negative relationship (when one variable increases, the other decreases). +1 = a perfect positive relationship (when one variable increases, the other increases too.) 0 = no correllation. As the number gets closer to 0, the relationship weakens. As it gets closer to +1 or -1, it weakens. Correllation does NOT mean causation.

Front 38

Explain experimental research

Back 38

A carefully controlled scientific procedure that involves the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect. Includes a hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, one or more experiemental groups, and a control group.

Front 39

The variable that is manipulated to determine it's causal effect on the dependent variable is the...

Back 39

independent variable.

Front 40

The variable that is observed and measured for change. It is affected by the independent variable.

Back 40

Dependent variable.

Front 41

The group that is manipulated in a experiment (receives treatment.)

Back 41

The experimental group

Front 42

The group that is not manipulated in an experiment (receives no treatment. May receive a placebo.)

Back 42

The control group

Front 43

How can you prevent sample bias in an experiment?

Back 43

Use random sampling and random assignment

Front 44

Positive correlation

Back 44

when one variable increases so does the other one. Correlation coefficient is closer to +1.

Front 45

Negative correlation

Back 45

When one variable increases the other decreases. Correlation coefficient is closer to -1.

Front 46

Ethnocentrism

Back 46

The belief that one's culture is typical of all cultures; also viewing one's own ethnic group (or culture) as central and "correct" and judging other according to this standard.

Front 47

Single blind study

Back 47

An experiment where only the researcher, and not the participants, knows who is in either the experimental or control group.

Front 48

Double blind study

Back 48

An experimental technique in which both the researcher and the participants are unaware of who is in the experimental or control groups. (Stronger than a single blind study which could still have some experimenter bias.)

Front 49

heritability

Back 49

a statistical formula that provides a percentage of variation in a population attributable to genetic factors rather than to differences in the environment.

Front 50

natural selection

Back 50

the process by which heritable traits that increase an organisms chances of survival or reproduction are favored over less beneficial traits.

Front 51

The basic building block (nerve cell) of the nervous system, responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting electrochemical information.

Back 51

neuron

Front 52

The cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other support for neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system

Back 52

Glial cells, Glia, Neuroglia (all mean same thing)

Front 53

The branching fibers of neurons that RECEIVE impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body.

Back 53

Dendrites

Front 54

A long, tube-like structure that conveys impulses away from a neuron's cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Back 54

Axon

Front 55

The part of a neuron that contains the cell nucleus and other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions

Back 55

The cell body (soma)

Front 56

A neural impulse, or brief electrical charge, that carries information along the axon of a neuron; movement is generated when positively charged ions move in and out through channels in the axon's membrane. "All or nothing" event. (no partial firing)

Back 56

Action potential.

Front 57

The layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons that increases the rate at which neural impulses travel along the axon.

Back 57

Myelin Sheath.

Front 58

Parts of an axon that form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Back 58

Terminal buttons

Front 59

The unstimulated axon has a ________charge on the inside and and _______ charge on the outside.

Back 59

The axon has a negative charge on the inside and a positive charge on the outside, creating a POLARIZED MEMBRANE. This is called it's resting potential.

Front 60

How does the Sodium/ Potassium ion pump work?

Back 60

It pumps positively charged sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and pumps potassium ions (K) into the cell to create the polarized membrane and resting potential.

Front 61

What is the charge of the resting potential of an unstimulated cell membrane?

Back 61

-70 millivolts.

Front 62

Explain what happens in an action potential

Back 62

1. Membrane has a resting potential of -70 millivolts

2. Membrane is stimulated by a sufficient signal to open gates on the membrane causing Na+ ions to rush into the cell. The inside of the cell turns positive and is depolarized.

3. The initial depolarization produces another imbalance of ions further down the axon membrane causing more gates to open and the depolarization to run down the axon.

4. Meanwhile, "gates" in the axon membrane of the initially depolarized section open and postive potassium ions flow out (K+), thus allowing the first section to repolarize and return to it's resting potential.

Front 63

A chemical messenger released by neurons that travels across the synapse and allows neurons to communicate with one another.

Back 63

Neurotransmitter.

Front 64

Explain the difference between how messages are carried inside one neuron and how they are carried between 2 neurons.

Back 64

Inside one neuron the message is sent electrically via an action potential. Between 2 neurons the message is sent chemically via a neurotransmitter.

Front 65

A substance that mimics and enhances a neurotransmitter's effect

Back 65

Agonist drug

Front 66

A substance that blocks normal neurotransmitter functioning

Back 66

Antagonist drug

Front 67

Name some neurotransmitters in the body

Back 67

1. Acetylcholine

2. Dopamine

3. Endorphins

4. Epinephrine

5. GABA

6. Norepinephrine

7. Serotonin

Front 68

What neurotransmitter is involved in muscle movement, learning, memory, REM sleep, emotion and plays a role in alzheimer's disease?

Back 68

Acetylcholine

(decreased amounts can cause alzheimers disease)

Front 69

What neurotransmitter is involved in mood, pain, memory, learning, blood pressure, appetite, and sexual activity?

Back 69

Endorphins

Front 70

What neurotransmitter is involved in movement, attention, memory, learning, emotion, and plays a role in schizophrenia, parkinson's disease, and addiction?

Back 70

Dopamine

* Too much dopamine in Schizophrenia, too little in parkinson's disease.

* Addiction caused by overloading brain with dopamine during drug use.

Front 71

What neurotransmitter does morphine mimic/ agonize?

Back 71

Endorphins.

Front 72

A network of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream to carry its messages.

Back 72

The Endocrine System

Front 73

A chemical messenger manufactured and secreted by the endocrine glands, which circulate in the bloodstream to produce bodily changes or maintain normal bodily functions.

Back 73

Hormone

Front 74

Name some organs in the endocrine system:

Back 74

1. Parathyroid glands

2. Pancreas

3. Testes

4. Pineal gland

5. Hypothalamus

6. Pituitary gland

7. Thyroid gland

8. Adrenal glands

9. Ovaries

Front 75

The gap between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite and/ or cell body of the receiving neuron; during an action potential, neurotransmitters are released and flow across the this space.

Back 75

Synapse

Front 76

What is the difference between a neurotransmitter and a hormone?

Back 76

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger sent between two neurons. It is secreted into the synapse between an axon and another neuron's dendrites. A hormone is a chemical messenger secreted into the bloodstream by one of the body's organs that travels in the bloodstream through the whole body until it is picked up by a receiving organ to produce a response.

Front 77

Functions of the endocrine system

Back 77

1. Regulates body processes (growth, sleep, puberty, digestion, elimination)

2. Controls emergency response by the body (fight or flight response).

Front 78

What are the two subdivisions of the Nervous System?

Back 78

1. Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord)

2. Peripheral Nervous System (all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).

Front 79

What is the function of the central nervous system?

Back 79

Brain and spinal cord - responsible for processing and organizing information.

Front 80

What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?

Back 80

Nerves - carries messages (action potentials) to and from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body.

Front 81

The brain's ability to reorganize and change it's structure and function throughout the life span.

Back 81

Neuroplasticity

Front 82

The process by which new neurons are created by the brain.

Back 82

Neurogenesis

Front 83

Immature (unspecialized, uncommitted) cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell, depending on the chemical signals they receive.

Back 83

Stem Cells

Front 84

Explain how a reflex arc works when you get burned by a hot stove.

Back 84

1. Skin receptors in the fingertips detect heat and send neural messages to sensory neurons.

2. Sensory neurons send messages to interneurons which in turn connect with motor neurons.

3. Motor neurons send messages to hand muscles, causing a withdrawal reflex. (This occurs before the brain perceives the actual pain sensation.)

4. While the spinal reflex occurs, sensory neurons also send messages up the spinal cord to the brain.

5. A small structure in the brain, the thalamus, relays incoming sensory information to the higher, cortical areas of the brain.

6. An area of the brain, known as the somatosensory cortex, receives the message from the thalamus and interprets it as PAIN.

Front 85

True or false, reflexes come from the spinal cord and not the brain.

Back 85

True.

Front 86

What is an interneuron

Back 86

An interneuron is a neuron that transmits impulses between other neurons, especially as part of a reflex arc. In a reflex arc the interneuron sends the impulse from the sensory neuron to the motor neuron.

Front 87

What are the 2 functions of the spinal cord?

Back 87

1. Carries vital information to and from the brain to the rest of the body.

2. Initiates reflexes.

Front 88

The peripheral nervous system serves to carry information to and from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. What are it's two subdivisions?

Back 88

1. The Somatic Nervous System

-Nerves that connect to sensory receptors and control skeletal muscle.

2. The Autonomic Nervous System

- controls the body's involuntary motor responses (digestion, elimination, etc)

Front 89

Describe the somatic nervous system

Back 89

The nerves of the peripheral nervous system that connect to sensory receptors and skeletal muscle. (conveys messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to the body's muscles to move, feel etc)

Front 90

Describe the autonomic nervous system

Back 90

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's involuntary motor responses by connecting the sensory receptors to the central nervous system(CNS) and the CNS to the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. Affects digestion, heart rate, pupil dilation, and breathing.

Can be divided into the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic( rest & digest) branches.

Front 91

Describe the Sympathetic Nervous System

Back 91

A branch of the Autonomic, peripheral nervous system that is responsible for arousing the body and mobilizing its energy during times of stress. Increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, endorphins, increases blood sugar levels. All preparing the body to fight or flee. Pupils dilate. You sweat. Lungs dilate. Digestion, salivation, and sexual arousal all stop. Sexual climax is sympathetic though.

Front 92

Describe the parasympathetic nervous system

Back 92

A branch of the autonomic, peripheral nervous system that is responsible for calming the body and conserving energy. Slows heart rate, and breathing. Lowers blood pressure. Increases digestive and elimination processes. Salivation increases, Sexual arousal increases. No sweating. Pupils constrict.

Front 93

A thick band of axons connecting and carrying messages between the 2 hemispheres of the brain.

Back 93

Corpus Callosum

Front 94

Thin outer layer of the forebrain responsible for most complex behaviors and higher mental processes. Wraps around the forebrain.

Back 94

Cerebral Cortex

Only 1/8th an inch thick. 30 billion neurons. It's wrinkles increase it's surface area

Front 95

The "master control center" of the brain. A limbic system, forebrain structure that is responsible for regulating drives: hunger, thirst, sex, aggression. Helps govern endocrine system. Linked to emotion and reward. Regulates body temperature.

Back 95

Hypothalamus

Front 96

Limbic system, forebrain structure that is the brains sensory switchboard for every sense except hearing.

Back 96

Thalamus

Front 97

A hindbrain structure that is involved with respiration, movement, waking, sleeping, and dreaming. (makes melatonin)

Back 97

Pons

Front 98

A hindbrain structure that coordinates voluntary, fine muscle movement, balance, and some perception and cognition

Back 98

Cerebellum

Front 99

A hindbrain structure responsible for vital autonomic functions like breathing and heart beat

Back 99

Medulla

Front 100

Limbic system, forebrain structure that influences aggression and fear.

Back 100

Amygdala

Front 101

Part of the brain responsible for automatic survival functions and for arousal

Back 101

The brain stem

Front 102

Part of the brain that helps screen incoming sensory information and helps control arousal

Back 102

Reticular Formation.

Front 103

What structures make up the hindbrain and what is it's function?

Back 103

The Medulla, pons, and cerebellum. Controls autonomic behaviors

Front 104

What structures make up the mid-brain and what is it's function?

Back 104

The midbrain is responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, and arousal. Helps orient eye and body movements to visual and auditory stimulii. Structures: substantia nigra, reticular formation

Front 105

What structures make up the forebrain?

Back 105

Structures: Cerebral Cortex, Hypothalamus, Limbic system, Thalamus.

Front 106

Describe the frontal lobes of the brain

Back 106

2 frontal lobes (right and left) at the forehead coordinate messages received from all other lobes. The motor cortex at the back of these lobes instigates all voluntary movement. Controls all higher function of humans: thinking, personality, emotion, memory, intelligence, creativity, reasoning, initiative, motivation, etc. Brocas area is in left lobe - controls speech.

Front 107

Describe the temperal lobes of the brain

Back 107

2 Temporal lobes (right and left) by each ear are responsible for hearing, language comprehension (but not speaking that is brocas area in frontal lobes), memory, and some emotional control. Auditory cortex at the top of each temperal lobe processes sound. Wernicke's area of the temporal lobe aid in language comprehension.

Front 108

What area of the brain allows speech, what area allows language comprehension?

Back 108

Brocas area in the left frontal lobe produces speech. Speech comprehension occurs in Wernicke's area in the temporal lobes.

Front 109

Describe the Parietal Lobes

Back 109

2 parietal lobes located at the top of the brain (top of head) receive and interpret bodily sensations including pressure, pain, touch and temperature. Somatosensory cortex is here, which receives sensory information.

Front 110

Describe the Occipital lobes

Back 110

2 occipital lobes located at the back of the brain are primarily responsible for vision and visual perception. Damage causes blindness.

Front 111

When someone with a stroke loses their ability to speak what area of the brain has been damaged?

Back 111

The left side of the brain including broca's area in the left frontal brain.

Front 112

Tell me about the left hemisphere of the brain

Back 112

It controls the RIGHT side of the body. It contains broca's area which controls speech.

Front 113

Tell me about the right hemisphere of the brain

Back 113

It controls the LEFT side of the body.

Front 114

What is cortical localization?

Back 114

Different cerebral cortical territories serve different functions, such as vision and language. The mapping of the cerebral cortex into areas, and the correlation of these areas with cerebral function.