Psychology Exam #1 (Chapters 1-3) Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Structuralism?

What are structures or characteristics of the mind, especially the conscious mind.

What is Functionalism?

How does the mind function to adapt to the environment.

What does Psychoanalytic theory examine?

The role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in adult motivations and behavior.

What is Behavioral psychology?

A perspective that focuses on objective, observable behavior rather than the conscious and unconscious mind. Signup and view all the answers

What is Humanistic psychology?

A perspective that focuses on the potential good that is innate to all humans. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cognitive psychology concern itself with?

Understanding mental processes such as memory, perception, thinking, and problem-solving. Signup and view all the answers

What is Biological psychology?

Studies how our biology, brain, and nervous system influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does Evolutionary psychology study?

How natural selection and adaptation explain behavior and mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

A structure important for balance and coordination is the _______.

cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

The __________ regulates body temp.

hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

The brain has about 100 billion nerve cells, called ________.

neurons Signup and view all the answers

The brain is divided into two halves called _________.

hemispheres Signup and view all the answers

The ________ receives sensory information and relays this information to other parts of the brain.

thalamus Signup and view all the answers

The right and left sides of the cerebral cortex are connected by a thick band of nerve fibers called the ________.

corpus callosum Signup and view all the answers

The knee jerk reflex is controlled by the __________.

spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

The _______ receive information from other neurons and carry that information toward the cell body.

dendrites Signup and view all the answers

The neurotransmitter, _______, is linked to elevated mood states and pain control.

endorphins Signup and view all the answers

____________ is a protective coating that speeds the transmission of neural impulses.

Myelin Sheath Signup and view all the answers

The central nervous system is divided into two major parts: the _ and the __.

brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

The _________ prepares the body for action in stressful situations.

sympathetic Signup and view all the answers

The ________ controls 'involuntary' life support functions.

Autonomic Signup and view all the answers

The __________ are responsible for our higher-level mental processes.

Prefrontal Cortex Signup and view all the answers

When a neuron is not sending information, it is _______.

polarized Signup and view all the answers

When the nerve impulses reach the end of the axon, it has to cross a tiny space, called the ______.

synapse Signup and view all the answers

What is psychology?

Scientific study of the mind and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis?

An idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific method?

Principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is empiricism?

Gaining knowledge through observation. Signup and view all the answers

What is introspection?

Processes by which someone examines their own conscious experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the unconscious mind?

Contains feelings and urges of which we have no conscious awareness. Signup and view all the answers

What is developmental psychology?

Scientific study of development across a lifespan. Signup and view all the answers

What is personality psychology?

Study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique. Signup and view all the answers

What is social psychology?

The study of how personality, attitudes, motivations, and behavior are influenced by social groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is clinical psychology?

Area of psychology that focuses on improving emotional, social, vocational, and other aspects of the lives of psychologically healthy individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is observational research in clinical studies?

Observational research study focusing on one or a few people. Signup and view all the answers

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing behavior in its natural environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are surveys?

Involve asking people about their thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is archival research?

Using existing records to answer research questions without direct contact with participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is longitudinal research?

Data gathered from the same people over an extended period. Signup and view all the answers

What is cross-sectional research?

Involves different people of different ages at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

What is correlate effect?

Differences in age groups may reflect cultural experiences rather than inherent characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is correlational research?

Examines relationships between two variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the experimental method?

Involves manipulating one variable to see if it causes a change in another. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to generalize?

Inferring that the results for a sample apply to the larger population. Signup and view all the answers

What is observer bias?

When observations may be skewed to align with observer expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a random sample?

A subset of a larger population where every member has an equal chance of being included. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operational definition?

Description of how variables are to be measured. Signup and view all the answers

What is a control group?

The group that doesn't receive the experimental treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is random assignment?

Method of group assignment where all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group. Signup and view all the answers

What is the placebo effect?

People's expectations influence the outcome. Signup and view all the answers

What is experimenter bias?

Possibility that a researcher's expectations may influence or skew results. Signup and view all the answers

What is a single-blind study?

Participants are unaware of which experimental group they are in. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-blind study?

Both the participant and the researchers do not know the experimental groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is the soma?

Cell body. Signup and view all the answers

What is an axon?

Major extension of the soma. Signup and view all the answers

What is resting potential?

The state of readiness of a neuron membrane's potential between signals. Signup and view all the answers

What is action potential?

Electrical signal that moves down the neuron's axon. Signup and view all the answers

What is an agonist?

Drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter. Signup and view all the answers

What is an antagonist?

Drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebral cortex?

The surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hippocampus?

Structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the amygdala?

Structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the medulla control?

Automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

What does the pons connect?

The brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What does acetylcholine affect?

Memory. Signup and view all the answers

What does beta-endorphin affect?

Pain. Signup and view all the answers

What does dopamine affect?

Mood, sleep, and learning. Signup and view all the answers

What does GABA affect?

Tension and anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What does glutamate affect?

Memory and learning. Signup and view all the answers

What does norepinephrine affect?

Heart, intestines, and alertness. Signup and view all the answers

What does serotonin affect?

Mood and sleep. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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.

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Description

Test your knowledge on foundational concepts of psychology with these flashcards covering chapters 1 to 3. Key terms like Structuralism, Functionalism, and Psychoanalytic theory are explored to enhance your understanding of the conscious and unconscious mind. Perfect for exam preparation!