Psychology Chapter 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the mean in the context of central tendency?

The most common value in a dataset

Middle number in a set of data ordered from small to large

The total of all variables divided by the number of variables (correct)

The value that occurs with the greatest frequency

What does a positive correlation imply?

An increase in one variable is associated with an increase in the other (correct)

As one variable increases, the other variable decreases

There is no relationship between the two variables

One variable causes a change in the other variable

Which of the following best describes observational research?

It establishes causal relationships by manipulating variables

It focuses solely on the average of data sets

It records behavior without manipulation in a real-world setting (correct)

It uses anecdotes to validate findings

What is the primary focus of experimental research?

To isolate causes of phenomena by manipulating variables Signup and view all the answers

What does reliability in data collection refer to?

The consistency of measurements over time or between observers Signup and view all the answers

Why are anecdotes considered inadequate evidence?

They lack systematic collection and are not representative Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of calculating deviation in research?

To assess variability in data Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding correlation and causation?

Correlated variables must share a direct cause-and-effect relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system?

Conveys information between CNS and body voluntarily Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the sympathetic nervous system?

It prepares the body for crisis situations. Signup and view all the answers

What technique uses strong magnetic fields to visualize brain activity?

fMRI Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a PET scan?

To measure neural activity by tracking glucose consumption. Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves converting external energy into electrical activity within neurons?

Transduction Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes sensation from perception?

Sensation is the detection of stimuli; perception is the brain's interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for the theory that all mental functions arise from the brain?

Franz Joseph Gall Signup and view all the answers

What does the Golgi stain technique reveal in brain tissue?

Silhouettes of selected neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a deductive argument?

The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes naive realism?

It is the belief that we perceive the world exactly as it is. Signup and view all the answers

What denotes a hypothesis in scientific inquiry?

It is a statement that can be tested but not necessarily proven. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a study does the dependent variable represent?

The outcome that is affected by the independent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What best defines construct validity in research?

The accuracy of operational definitions in measuring variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by falsifiability in relation to a hypothesis?

It must be possible to demonstrate its potential falsehood. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of operational definitions in an experiment?

To establish clear criteria for measuring variables consistently. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if an experimental measure is said to have high reliability?

It consistently yields the same results under identical conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 3 R’s in animal research?

To ensure the ethical treatment of animal subjects Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord?

Central Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a neuron is responsible for collecting information from other neurons?

Dendrite Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily involved in voluntary movement control?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal?

Store neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

How does the sodium-potassium balance affect a neuron?

It creates an electrical potential across the membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is found to influence mood and is associated with antidepressants like Prozac?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when action potentials travel down an axon?

Synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter serves as the main inhibitory transmitter in the brain?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is involved in regulating sleep, memory, and motivation and is related to cannabis effects?

Anandamide Signup and view all the answers

What is the absolute threshold in psychophysics?

The lowest level of stimulus needed for the nervous system to detect a change 50% of the time Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Weber's Law?

There is a constant proportional relationship between JND and original stimulus intensity. Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would an individual most likely experience a false alarm according to signal detection theory?

When there is decreased sensitivity to the signal Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of perceptual constancy in visual perception?

The consistency in our perception of stimuli despite changes in environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of top-down processing?

Reading a foggy set of instructions and inferring missing words Signup and view all the answers

According to gestalt psychology, what is emphasized in perception?

The perception of the whole rather than individual components Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is related to extrasensory perception (ESP)?

Telepathy Signup and view all the answers

What do feature detection cells in the visual cortex respond to?

Specific orientations of stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates the pituitary gland Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of synaptogenesis?

Formation of new synapses Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in rewarding and motivated behavior?

Basal ganglia Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'neural plasticity' refer to?

The ability of the nervous system to adapt and change Signup and view all the answers

What does the cerebral ventricles contain?

Cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for the processing of touch information?

Parietal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What role does the amygdala play in human emotion?

Plays a key role in fear and excitement Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of neural plasticity does pruning occur?

During early childhood until age 10 Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for language understanding?

Wernicke's area Signup and view all the answers

What does potentiation refer to in a neural context?

Greater influence of one neuron on another's ability to fire Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early History of Psychology

Hippocrates' theory of humorism: a person's temperament depended on the balance of four bodily fluids (black bile, blood, yellow bile, phlegm)
Rene Descartes: advocated substance dualism, believing mind and body are distinct entities.
Wilhelm Wundt: established psychology as a separate discipline, opened first psych lab, and studied consciousness using introspection.
Structuralism: focused on analyzing basic elements of consciousness.
Functionalism: focused on the function of consciousness, not its structure.
Psychoanalytical perspective: developed by Sigmund Freud, focused on unconscious processes to explain behavior.
Behavioral perspective: pioneered by John B Watson, emphasized observable behavior over consciousness, and believed environment influences behavior.

Research Methods

The scientific method: a systematic procedure to investigate and establish facts
Identify research questions
Gather information and form a hypothesis
Design a study
Analyze data
Report findings
Empirical evidence: observable and measurable data collected during research.
Dogmatism vs. empiricism: accepting beliefs without evidence vs. knowing through observation.
Inductive vs. deductive statements: drawing broad conclusions from specific observations vs. applying general rules to specific cases.
Falsifiability: A hypothesis must be susceptible to being proven wrong for it to be useful and testable.

Measurements and Variables

Operational definition: a precise description of how a variable will be measured in a study.
Construct validity/reliability: How well a test measures what it's intend to measure and how consistent the results are.
Descriptive statistics: includes mean, standard deviations, and mode.
Central tendency: The central value in a dataset (mean, median, mode)
Variability: extent to which data is spread out within a set. (standard deviation)

Research Methods (cont.)

Descriptive research: Describing characteristics about a phenomenon without interference of the researcher.
Correlational research: Identifying relationships between variables. (correlation doesnt equal causation)
Experimental research: Manipulating variables under controlled conditions to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Naturalistic observation: observing behavior in natural settings without interference of the researcher.
The importance of avoiding biases: using appropriate techniques to minimize bias in studies.

Biological Basis of Behavior

Neurons: the fundamental units of the nervous system.
Cell body (soma)
Dendrites
Axon
Axon terminal
Neural communication: action potentials, neurotransmitters & synapses
Neural impulse (action potential)
Types of neurotransmitters (ACh, monoamines, amino acids, neuropeptides)
Nervous System Structure/Function (Brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, sense organs)
Sensory and motor systems
Central vs. Peripheral Nervous system
Localization of function in the brain

Research Ethics and Methods

Ethical guidelines for research: Protecting participants' rights, benefits vs. risks considerations.
Unethical research examples: Historical examples of unethical research.
Institutional review boards (IRBs): Ethical oversight for research studies.
Informed consent: obtaining approval from participants for participating in the study, and detailing possible risks.
Deception vs. debriefing: misleading participants to keep the study's integrity intact.

Consciousness and States

Consciousness (subjective/self-reflective awareness)
Cognitive psychology and its relationship with consciousness.
Circadian rhythms and sleep stages.
Sleep disorders (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea).
Altered states of consciousness: hallucinations, hypnosis, effects of drugs.
Theories about Altered states of Consciousness (activation synthesis theory)

Memory

Memory Illusion: False memory
Forgetting: deterioration of learned behavior following the delay of retention
Sensory memory: Briefly storing incoming sensory information
Short-term memory: Limited capacity storage (5-9 items).
Encoding, storage, retrieval stages of memory.
Primacy and recency effects
Memory types (Semantic, episodic, procedural)
Types of memory problems (amnesia)
Types of long term memory storage

Motivation

Drive reduction theory: Motivation as a process of reducing internal drive (hunger, thirst).
Incentive theory: An external goal for a behavior.
Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs: Hierarchy of needs in order (physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, self-actualization)
Physiological aspects of motivation: Relevant brain regions and neurochemistry.
Psychology of hunger (biological and behavioral).

Emotion

Components of emotion (cognitive, physiological, behavioral).
Historical theories of emotion (James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, two-factor theory)
Theories about emotion (cognitive appraisal theory)
Emotions in society

Sensation and Perception

Sensation: Initial detection of stimuli.
Sensation receptors and transduction.
Types of sense organs and receptors
The Visual system: elements of vision
Depth perception, binocular and monocular cues
Color vision: theories (trichromatic, opponent)
Visual abnormalities (color blindness)
Perception: Interpretation of sensory information.
Psychophysics: the relationship between physical stimuli and perceived characteristics. (absolute threshold, difference threshold).
Gestalt principles: organizational principles in perception (similarity, proximity, continuity, closure)

Learning and Behavior

Respondent Conditioning: The association between two stimuli, such as classical conditioning. (Pavlovian).
Unconditional stimuli/responses vs. conditional stimuli/responses
Temporal relationships, variables influencing conditioning
Operant Conditioning: The effect of consequences on learned behavior.
Reinforcement and Punishment (positive and negative).
Schedules of reinforcement
Shaping
Stimulus Generalization and Discrimination

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Description

Test your understanding of the foundational concepts in psychology, including central tendency measures, research methods, and the nervous system. This quiz covers various topics such as correlation, experimental research, and brain imaging techniques. Challenge yourself and deepen your knowledge of psychological principles.