Psychology Exam #1 (Chapters 1-3) Flashcards

Major Psychological Theories

• Structuralism (Wilhelm Wundt): Investigates the structures and characteristics of the mind, particularly the conscious mind.
• Functionalism (William James): Examines how the mind functions to adapt to the environment.
• Psychoanalytic (Sigmund Freud): Explores the unconscious mind's role and early childhood experiences in shaping adult motivations and behavior.
• Behavioral: Emphasizes observable behavior over internal mental processes; key figures include John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F. Skinner.
• Humanistic (Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers): Focuses on the inherent goodness of humans and potential for personal growth.
• Cognitive: Studies mental processes such as memory, perception, and problem-solving, linking them to behavior.
• Biological (Biopsychology): Explores the influence of biology, including brain structures and the nervous system, on thoughts and behavior.
• Evolutionary: Analyzes how natural selection and adaptation influence behavior and mental processes.

Key Brain Structures and Their Functions

• Cerebellum: Essential for balance and coordination.
• Hypothalamus: Regulates body temperature and various autonomic functions.
• Neurons: Approximately 100 billion nerve cells in the brain responsible for transmitting information.
• Hemispheres: Brain divided into left and right halves, each associated with different functions.
• Thalamus: Receives and relays sensory information to appropriate brain regions.
• Corpus Callosum: Connects the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.
• Spinal Cord: Controls reflex actions, like the knee jerk response.
• Dendrites: Receive information from other neurons and transmit it to the cell body.
• Endorphins: Neurotransmitter associated with mood elevation and pain control.
• Myelin Sheath: Protective layer that speeds up neural impulse transmission.

Nervous System Components

• Central Nervous System: Comprises the brain and spinal cord.
• Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for action under stress.
• Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary life-support functions.
• Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for higher-level mental processes, including decision-making.

Neural Activity and Communication

• Resting Potential: The state of readiness of a neuron's membrane.
• Action Potential: Electrical signal that travels down the neuron's axon.
• Synapse: The small space between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.
• Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons.
• Agonist: A drug that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.
• Antagonist: A drug that inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.

Research Methods in Psychology

• Clinical or Case Studies: In-depth observational research targeting one or a few subjects.
• Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environments, providing realism but lacks control.
• Surveys: Collecting data from a large sample but may lack depth.
• Archival Research: Utilizes existing records for analysis; efficient but may limit data control.
• Longitudinal Research: Follows the same subjects over time; detailed but time-consuming.
• Cross-Sectional Research: Examines various age groups simultaneously; efficient but may introduce cohort effects.
• Correlational Research: Analyzes relationships between variables without evidence of causation.
• Experimental Method: Tests causal relationships by manipulating variables; controlled but can be limited by ethical constraints.

Biases and Design in Research

• Cohort Effect: Differences in age groups reflect varied cultural experiences rather than inherent characteristics.
• Observer Bias: Potential distortion of observations based on the observer's expectations.
• Random Sample: Ensures every individual has an equal chance of being included in the study.
• Operational Definition: Clearly defines variables and how they will be measured.
• Placebo Effect: Influence of participants' expectations on study outcomes.
• Single-Blind Study: Participants are unaware of their group assignment.
• Double-Blind Study: Both participants and researchers do not know group assignments, reducing bias.

Neurotransmitters and Their Functions

• Acetylcholine: Involved in memory.
• Beta-Endorphin: Regulates pain.
• Dopamine: Associated with mood, sleep, and learning.
• GABA: Manages tension and anxiety.
• Glutamate: Key to memory and learning.
• Norepinephrine: Influences alertness and body functions.
• Serotonin: Regulates mood and sleep.

Structures and Functions Related to Emotions and Learning

• Hippocampus: Important for learning and memory.
• Amygdala: Processes emotions and links memories with emotional significance.
• Medulla: Controls vital automatic processes like breathing and heart rate.
• Pons: Connects brain and spinal cord and aids sleep regulation.
• Broca's Area: Responsible for speech production.
• Wernicke's Area: Facilitates language comprehension and vocabulary learning.