Podcast
Questions and Answers
What study method is primarily used to investigate a single individual or small group in depth?
What study method is primarily used to investigate a single individual or small group in depth?
Which form of research is best suited for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship?
Which form of research is best suited for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship?
Which theory posits that emotions arise from physiological responses to stimuli?
Which theory posits that emotions arise from physiological responses to stimuli?
Broca's aphasia primarily affects which aspect of language processing?
Broca's aphasia primarily affects which aspect of language processing?
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What term describes the phenomenon where people have an exaggerated view of their own abilities when explaining their behavior?
What term describes the phenomenon where people have an exaggerated view of their own abilities when explaining their behavior?
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What is the primary focus of cognitive development in the pre-operational stage, according to Piaget?
What is the primary focus of cognitive development in the pre-operational stage, according to Piaget?
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Which term refers to the ability of the brain to adapt physically as a result of experience?
Which term refers to the ability of the brain to adapt physically as a result of experience?
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According to behavior genetics, what is the primary focus of studies on identical twins?
According to behavior genetics, what is the primary focus of studies on identical twins?
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What process in memory involves the transformation of information into a form that can be stored?
What process in memory involves the transformation of information into a form that can be stored?
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Which research design is most effective for studying the effects of an independent variable on a dependent variable?
Which research design is most effective for studying the effects of an independent variable on a dependent variable?
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Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is often linked to depression?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is often linked to depression?
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What term is used to describe the tendency to perceive threats as more severe when experienced personally?
What term is used to describe the tendency to perceive threats as more severe when experienced personally?
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In attachment theory, what is characterized by a lack of clear attachment behavior and a mix of behaviors?
In attachment theory, what is characterized by a lack of clear attachment behavior and a mix of behaviors?
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Study Notes
Psychology as a Science
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Psychology, as a science, employs the scientific method
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Descartes' dualism posits a separation of mind and body
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Structuralism sought to analyze the basic elements of consciousness through introspection
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Introspection involved self-reporting of mental experiences
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Functionalism focused on the adaptive functions of consciousness
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Behaviorism emphasized the role of observable behaviors and environmental influences in learning and development
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A modern definition of psychology emphasizes behavior and mental processes
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Levels of analysis include biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors
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Basic research examines fundamental principles, while applied research addresses practical problems
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Psychology subfields include clinical, counseling, cognitive, neuroscience, industrial-organizational, developmental, and social
Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity
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Behavior genetics studies the influence of genes on behavior
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The nature vs. nurture debate examines the relative contributions of genetics and environment
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Genetic determinism suggests that genes solely shape traits
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Traits are distinguishing characteristics or qualities
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Environment encompasses external factors, influencing development and behavior
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Twin studies (identical vs. fraternal) compare genetic and environmental effects on traits
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Evolutionary psychology investigates how natural selection shapes behavior, considering reproductive success
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Evolutionary adaptations are traits evolved for survival and reproduction
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Cultural variation significantly influences human behavior
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Experiences impact brain development
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Habituation is decreased responsiveness to repeated stimuli
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Synaptic pruning eliminates weak synaptic connections
The Biology of Mind
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Neurons communicate through electrochemical signals
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Synapses are the junctions between neurons
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Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers
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Action potentials are rapid changes in electrical potential
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Resting potential is the neuron's stable electrical charge
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Intensity and firing rate both influence signal strength
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Grey matter contains cell bodies and dendrites, white matter consists of myelinated axons and glial cells
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Different brain regions (frontal, occipital, temporal, parietal lobes) have specialized functions
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The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres
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Broca's aphasia affects speech production, Wernicke's aphasia affects language comprehension
Sensation and Perception
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Sensation involves detecting physical stimuli, perception involves interpreting them
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Bottom-up processing involves building perceptions from sensory input, top-down processing uses existing knowledge to guide sensory information
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Transduction converts physical stimuli into neural signals
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Absolute thresholds define the minimum stimulus intensity for detection
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Subliminal stimuli are below the absolute threshold
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Priming involves activating related concepts in memory, influencing perception
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Weber's Law describes the relationship between stimulus change and perceived change
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Sensory adaptation is reduced sensitivity to constant stimuli
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Wavelength, hue, and amplitude determine light properties
Development
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Developmental Psychology examines changes across the lifespan
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Teratogens are environmental agents harming prenatal development
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a consequence of prenatal alcohol exposure
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Synaptic pruning is the elimination of weak synapses during development
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Myelination is the process of creating myelin sheaths for neurons to improve neural transmission speed
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Newborn reflexes are innate responses to stimuli
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Visual preference paradigm tests infant perception
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Sensitive and critical periods are specific times for development
Learning
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Classical conditioning involves associating two stimuli, operant conditioning involves associating behavior with consequences
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Reinforcement strengthens behavior, punishment weakens it
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Reinforcement schedules involve varying when or how often reinforcement occurs
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Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior
Memory
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Encoding, storage, and retrieval are the processes of memory
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Ebbinghaus's retention curve illustrates forgetting curves
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Sensory memory is a brief initial stage of memory, iconic memory is visual sensory memory, short-term memory is temporary memory, long-term memory is permanent memory; Chunking improves short-term memory
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Declarative memory involves facts and events (episodic and semantic), implicit memory involves unconscious knowledge
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Encoding specificity principle states that retrieval is more effective when the context at encoding and retrieval is similar
Emotion
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Theories of emotion explain how emotions arise (James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Two-Factor)
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Facial expressions are a universal way to display emotional states
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Misattribution of arousal is attributing arousal to the wrong source
Personality
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Personality refers to enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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Freud's structural model (id, ego, superego) describes personality structures
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Defense mechanisms protect the ego
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Trait theories identify and measure traits like the "Big Five" dimensions (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism)
Social Psychology
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Social psychologists study how people influence each other
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Attribution theory explains how we interpret behavior
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Fundamental attribution error is overemphasizing internal factors in explanations of others' behavior
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Attitudes are enduring evaluations of people, objects, and ideas, leading to persuasion attempts
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Attitudes are significantly influenced by persuasion approaches (central and peripheral)
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Conformity, obedience (e.g., Milgram experiments), prejudice, and reducing prejudice are key areas of study
Psychological Disorders
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Psychological disorders are characterized by maladaptive patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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The DSM-5 classifies mental disorders
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Depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder, are common psychological disorders
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the foundational concepts of psychology as a science, including key theories such as structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism. This quiz also investigates the nature versus nurture debate and the various subfields within psychology that contribute to our understanding of human behavior and diversity.
