Key Figures and Concepts in Psychology
21 Questions
0 Views

Key Figures and Concepts in Psychology

Created by
@LongLastingHeliodor1433

Questions and Answers

What contributes to the perception of color in our environment?

  • The objective properties of light
  • The anatomical structure of the eyes
  • Wavelengths of electromagnetic energy
  • Neural processes in the brain (correct)
  • Which of the following factors is associated with the most common form of colorblindness?

  • Increased sensitivity to blue light
  • Complete loss of vision in sunlight
  • Excessive melanin in the retinal pigment
  • Deficiency in green photoreceptors (correct)
  • Which part of the auditory system is primarily responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals?

  • Auditory cortex
  • Ear canal
  • Cochlea (correct)
  • Eustachian tube
  • What is a primary function of the vestibular system?

    <p>Maintaining balance and spatial orientation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following scenarios illustrates the concept of motion sickness?

    <p>Reading while in a moving vehicle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the neuron is responsible for receiving signals from other neurons?

    <p>Dendrites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

    <p>Facilitate communication between neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs at the synapse?

    <p>Neurotransmitters transfer signals between neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes contralateral functioning in the brain?

    <p>Each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of transduction?

    <p>Converting light waves into neural signals in the retina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the likely effect of damage to the right hemisphere parietal lobe?

    <p>Impaired abilities in spatial awareness and navigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of rods in the visual system?

    <p>They are more sensitive to low light conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the blind spot in each eye?

    <p>The absence of photoreceptor cells in the optic disc</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes monism from dualism in psychology?

    <p>Monism argues for the unity of mind and body, while dualism argues for their separation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the correlation coefficient?

    <p>The correlation coefficient is always expressed as a decimal between -1 and +1.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are independent and dependent variables in an experiment?

    <p>Independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are measured outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of random selection in research studies?

    <p>To create a representative sample from the population being studied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best explains why correlation does not imply causation?

    <p>Correlations can be due to chance occurrences unrelated to underlying cause-and-effect relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do anecdotal evidence and empirical evidence differ?

    <p>Anecdotal evidence is based on personal experiences while empirical evidence is derived from systematic observation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines misinterpretation in an illusory correlation?

    <p>Seeing a relationship between two variables that does not exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main advantages of using experimental methods in psychology?

    <p>Experiments can establish causal relationships and control extraneous variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Key Figures in Psychology

    • Socrates emphasized introspection and self-knowledge.
    • Plato believed in the concept of innate knowledge and the realm of forms.
    • Aristotle focused on empirical observation and the relationship between mind and body.
    • Descartes introduced dualism, separating mind and body.

    Historical Contributions

    • Familiarity with contributions from figures like Wundt (father of psychology), Freud (psychoanalysis), and Skinner (behaviorism) is essential.

    Monism vs. Dualism

    • Monism posits that mind and body are one entity, whereas dualism argues they are distinct.

    Types of Psychologists

    • Contemporary psychologists specialize in areas such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology.

    Scientific Method Steps

    • Involves observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.
    • Example: Testing the effect of caffeine on response times.

    Evidence Types

    • Anecdotal evidence is subjective, based on personal accounts.
    • Empirical evidence is objective, derived from systematic observation or experimentation.

    Psychological Methods of Investigation

    • Methods include experiments, surveys, case studies, and naturalistic observation, each with unique advantages and drawbacks.

    Correlation Coefficient

    • Positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, so does the other; negative correlation indicates an inverse relationship.
    • Values range from -1 to +1; close to 0 indicates weak correlation.

    Correlation and Causation

    • Correlation does not imply causation due to:
      • Coincidental relationships.
      • The possibility of a third variable influencing both.

    Illusory Correlation

    • Occurs when a perceived relationship between two variables is mistakenly believed to exist.

    Experiments and Variables

    • An experiment establishes causation; independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are measured.
    • Random selection ensures a representative sample; random assignment allocates participants to conditions.

    Statistical Measures

    • Mean, median, and mode are measures of central tendency calculated as follows:
      • Mean: average of all scores.
      • Median: middle score when sorted.
      • Mode: most frequently occurring score.

    Neuroanatomy and Function

    • Neurons are unique for their ability to transmit electrochemical signals.
    • Key parts of a neuron include dendrites (receive signals), axon (sends signals), and terminal buttons (release neurotransmitters).

    Action Potential and Synapses

    • Action potential is the process of firing a neuron.
    • Synapses are junctions where neurotransmitters are released; transmission across synapses is slower than within neurons.

    Nervous System Structure

    • Hierarchal structure: Nervous system divides into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

    Brain Structures and Functions

    • Understand functions of major brain structures (e.g., cerebellum: motor control, amygdala: emotion processing).
    • Contralateral functioning means one hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

    Phantom Limbs

    • Phantom limb sensation occurs when amputees feel pain or sensation in a missing limb, often due to brain reorganization.

    Visual System Processing

    • Visual information is processed through the retina, optic nerve, and visual cortex.
    • Damage to specific brain areas can lead to deficits in visual perception.

    Sensation vs. Perception

    • Sensation is the detection of stimuli; perception is the interpretation of those stimuli.

    Color Vision Theories

    • Two theories include the trichromatic theory (three types of color receptors) and opponent-process theory (color perception through opposing pairs).

    Motion and Perception

    • Motion sickness is caused by conflicting signals between the vestibular system and visual input.
    • Depth and size cues help us perceive three-dimensional space; examples include linear perspective and size constancy.

    Auditory and Cutaneous Systems

    • Parts of the auditory system include the cochlea (hearing) and semicircular canals (balance).
    • The cutaneous system processes touch, pain, and temperature.

    Chemical Systems

    • Chemical sense organs include taste buds and olfactory receptors, crucial for taste and smell perception.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Review for Psy 100 Exam 1.docx

    Description

    Explore the significant contributions and concepts in psychology, from Socrates to contemporary specialists. This quiz covers key figures, historical influences, the debate of monism vs. dualism, and the scientific method in psychological research. Test your understanding of foundational principles and their implications in modern psychology.

    More Quizzes Like This

    Psychology Fundamentals
    15 questions

    Psychology Fundamentals

    EndorsedDiscernment avatar
    EndorsedDiscernment
    Key Figures in Psychology
    17 questions
    Key Figures in Psychology
    40 questions
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser