Foundational Psychology Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Who introduced structuralism?

Ivan Pavlov

Wilhelm Wundt (correct)

Sigmund Freud

John Watson

What is introspection?

Study of the mind by looking into oneself.

Structuralism identifies components of the mind: combined subjective emotions and objective sensations; 'the whole is equal to the sum of the ______.'

parts

Freud created the theory of psychoanalysis.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does Behaviorism focus on?

Stimuli and response; studying only observable behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Humanistic Perspective emphasize?

Free will and individual choice Signup and view all the answers

What does Biopsychology explain?

Human thought in terms of the relationship between biology and psychology. Signup and view all the answers

The Placebo effect refers to the impact of a drug that has pharmacological effects.

False Signup and view all the answers

A direct relationship in which both variables are increasing is called a ______ correlation.

positive Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Random Selection in research?

To gather a representative sample for a study. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Outlier?

Numbers that are much greater or much less than the other numbers in the set. Signup and view all the answers

The term 'Hawthorne effect' refers to an alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.

True Signup and view all the answers

The ______ is the part of the central nervous system encased in bone.

brain Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Validity' refer to in research?

Measures what the experiment is supposed to. Signup and view all the answers

Acetylcholine deficiency is linked to Alzheimer's Disease.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Amygdala?

Involved in fear and anger responses Signup and view all the answers

What does EEG stand for and what does it detect?

Electroencephalogram; detects brain waves. Signup and view all the answers

Match the neurotransmitters with their functions:

Serotonin = Involved in mood and appetite regulation Dopamine = Involved in mood and movement control Acetylcholine = Involved in arousal and attention Endorphins = Pain control and associated with addictions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Foundational Psychology Concepts

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of modern psychology, establishing the first psychological laboratory and introducing structuralism.
Introspection, a method associated with Wundt, involves examining one's own conscious thoughts and feelings.
Structuralism identifies the components of the mind and suggests that "the whole is equal to the sum of its parts."

Key Theorists and Theories

Sigmund Freud introduced psychoanalytic theory, emphasizing the influence of childhood experiences and the unconscious mind on behavior.
Behaviorism, led by figures like John Watson and B.F. Skinner, studies observable behavior, rejecting introspection.
The Humanistic Perspective focuses on personal growth, free will, and individual choice, represented by theorists such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
The Evolutionary Perspective explains human behavior through natural selection and adaptive functions.

Research Methodology

Independent variables are manipulated by the experimenter, while dependent variables are measured outcomes affected by the independent variable.
Operational definitions specify how variables are measured, facilitating replication in studies.
Target population refers to the demographic researchers aim to study, while a representative sample resembles this population.
Stratified samples consider specific criteria (e.g., race, gender) to ensure diversity and accuracy.
Random assignment places participants randomly into control or experimental groups to minimize bias.
Single blind studies prevent participants from knowing their group, while double blind studies also keep experimenters unaware to reduce bias.

Research Techniques and Effects

Various observational and survey methods are used, including naturalistic observation, which allows for behavior in a natural setting but lacks control over variables.
Case studies provide in-depth analysis of rare conditions or individuals.
The placebo effect occurs when participants experience changes due to their expectations rather than the treatment itself.
Demand characteristics arise when participants alter behavior based on perceived expectations of the researcher.

Statistical Understanding

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics apply findings to larger populations.
Key concepts include measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and the significance of outliers.
The normal curve reflects data distribution, with specific percentages representing standard deviations from the mean.
P-values indicate statistical significance; researchers aim for a p-value of 0.05 or lower.

Neuroanatomy and Neurotransmitters

Key components of neurons include axons, dendrites, myelin sheaths, and terminal buttons, which facilitate communication between neurons.
Neurotransmitters like acetylcholine (involved in memory), dopamine (mood and movement), serotonin (mood and sleep), and endorphins (pain relief) influence various psychological states.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system to limbs and organs.

Brain Structures and Functions

The hindbrain includes the medulla (controls vital functions), pons (involved in sleep and facial expressions), and cerebellum (coordinates movement).
The midbrain processes sensory information and coordinates movement.
The forebrain contains structures like the thalamus (sensory relay), hypothalamus (regulates hunger and sleep), amygdala (emotion processing), and hippocampus (memory processing).
The limbic system deals with emotions and memories, playing a crucial role in behavioral responses.

Research Ethics and Methodology

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures research is conducted ethically, protecting participants.
The Hawthorne effect highlights how observation can alter behavior, emphasizing the need for careful experimental design.

Error Types in Research

Type 1 error involves incorrectly rejecting a true null hypothesis, while Type 2 error entails accepting a false null hypothesis.

Biological Influences on Behavior

The sympathetic nervous system triggers the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic system promotes relaxation and homeostasis.
Axons transmit messages rapidly, aided by the myelin sheath, while dendrites receive signals from other neurons.
Action potential firing adheres to the all-or-nothing principle, ensuring that once a threshold is reached, the signal will be transmitted.

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Description

Test your knowledge on foundational concepts in psychology, including key theorists and theories from Wundt to Freud. Explore various research methodologies and perspectives like behaviorism and humanistic psychology. This quiz will challenge your understanding of the essential elements that shape the field of psychology.