Introduction to Psychology Concepts

The idea that all knowledge is gained through sensory experience, meaning we learn from what we observe and interact with in the world.

A British philosophical school of thought that emphasizes the role of experience in shaping our knowledge. They believed the mind starts as a 'blank slate' and is filled with ideas through observation.

The study of how physical stimuli are sensed and perceived, and the relationship between physical properties and subjective experiences. This field focuses on how our senses work and how we interpret the world around us.

The process of measuring the time taken to respond to a stimulus. This is used to study the speed of mental processes and the relationship between physical distance and reaction time.

A method used to determine the weakest stimulus that can be reliably detected. It involves presenting stimuli of varying intensities and asking participants if they can detect them.

The branch of psychology that studies the unconscious mind, emphasizing the influence of early childhood experiences on later behavior and personality.

A school of thought that emphasizes the inherent goodness of humans and their potential for growth and self-actualization. It focuses on self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the pursuit of meaningful experiences.

Ghrelin levels in the body influence food intake behavior. When you eat, ghrelin release is decreased, prompting feelings of fullness and stopping eating.

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, working together as one continuous unit. It controls all bodily functions.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is all the nerves that branch out from the CNS to connect to the rest of the body.

Nerves that are part of the CNS are protected by bone, while nerves in the PNS are not.

Neurons are nerve cells, the fundamental units of the nervous system. Humans have a vast number of these cells, around 100 billion.

Glia are supporting cells found within the nervous system. They provide structural support and assist neuron function.

Neural communication happens in two steps: 1) Electrical signal generation within a single neuron, 2) Chemical messenger release from one neuron to affect another.

The cell body is the central part of a neuron containing the nucleus. Most of the neuron's functions, like protein production, happen here.

The neural membrane is a thin barrier surrounding the neuron. It separates the neuron's internal fluid from the external environment.

A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons at the neuromuscular junction, enabling muscle contraction. Interference with ACh function can cause paralysis.

A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the autonomic nervous system, responsible for conveying commands from the brain to glands and organs.

A neurotransmitter involved in the brain's reward and pleasure circuits, activated when we engage in behaviors that promote survival and reproduction.

A neurotransmitter associated with sleep, appetite, mood, and aggression. It helps regulate these functions.

Naturally occurring chemicals produced by the body that modify our pain response, acting as natural pain relievers. They are similar in structure to opioid drugs.

The ability of neurons to adapt and change in structure and function in response to environmental changes. This allows the brain to be flexible and learn from experience.

The process of generating new neurons from stem cells in specific brain regions, primarily the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. This contributes to learning and memory.

A subcortical region of the brain involved in learning, memory, and spatial navigation. It is one of the areas where new neurons are generated in adults.

A region located above the nasal cavity that is involved in the sense of smell. It is another area where new neurons are generated in adults.

Wundt's approach to psychology emphasizing conscious will and choice in directing mental processes.

A school of psychology focusing on breaking down consciousness into its basic elements, like sensations, images, and feelings.

A school of psychology emphasizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning perception cannot be simply broken down into individual elements.

A theory focused on the function of mental processes and behavior in helping individuals adapt to their environment and survive.

A term coined by William James to describe the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and experiences that make up our conscious awareness.

The idea that psychology should only study directly observable behaviours, ignoring internal mental processes.

A principle that states behaviours followed by rewarding consequences will be more likely to occur in the future, while behaviours followed by unpleasant consequences will be less likely to occur.

A field of psychology that explores how the brain and other biological processes influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

A perspective that emphasizes how our current behaviour can be traced back to traits that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

The study of how we think, process information, make decisions, and solve problems.

Examines how social and cultural factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, including individual differences.

Aims to understand, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders.

A statistical measure showing the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.

Factors that can change, like a person's height or weight.

A way to measure how much of a variable we have observed.

Two variables increase or decrease together.

Two variables move in opposite directions.

Two variables show no systematic relationship.

A third factor that might be responsible for a correlation between two other variables.

While correlations don't prove causation, they can be useful in identifying potential relationships between variables.

Surveys are often used to gather initial information from a large group. The findings can then be used to develop prompts for more in-depth interviews or focus groups.

An individual's genetic makeup. It refers to the specific combination of alleles inherited from parents.

An individual's observable characteristics that result from the interaction between their genotype and environment.

A sequence of DNA located on a chromosome that carries instructions for producing a specific protein.

The process by which a gene's instructions are used to produce a protein.

One of two or more possible variations of a gene. Different alleles can lead to different traits.

Having two identical alleles for a specific gene.

Having two different alleles for a specific gene.

An allele that is expressed even if only one copy is present. It masks the effect of a recessive allele.

An allele that is only expressed if two copies are present. Its effect is masked by a dominant allele.