Psychology Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4) Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the current definition of Psychology?

Scientific study of human and animal behavior (correct)

Study of the mind

Cognitive processes only

Analysis of dreams

Who is considered the founder of Psychology?

Wilhem Wundt

What did G. Stanley Hall contribute to Psychology?

Brought Psychology to America

What is Sigmund Freud known for?

Psychoanalytic Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of John B. Watson's contributions?

Behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

What principle is B.F. Skinner known for?

All behavior is governed by external stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is Psychiatry?

Branch of medicine concerned with psychological disturbances Signup and view all the answers

What are the two great assumptions in science?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

A hypothesis is a specific prediction about the ________ between variables.

relationship Signup and view all the answers

Variables that can be manipulated are called the ________ variable.

independent Signup and view all the answers

In a correlational study, a positive correlation indicates that two variables vary in the ________ direction.

same Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a neuron?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the All-or-None Law?

Neural impulse is all or none Signup and view all the answers

What is an antagonist?

A chemical that blocks the action of a neurotransmitter Signup and view all the answers

What does the frontal lobe primarily control?

Reasoning, thinking, planning, and problem-solving Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of mirror neurons?

'Monkey see, monkey do' Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is responsible for processing visual information?

Occipital Lobe Signup and view all the answers

What can damage to the primary visual cortex cause?

Blindness Signup and view all the answers

What is synesthesia?

A neurological condition that leads to unusual sensory experiences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fundamental Concepts in Psychology

Psychology: Transitioned from “study of the mind” to the scientific discipline examining human and animal behavior and mental processes.
Wilhelm Wundt: Recognized as the founder of psychology, establishing the field as a formal discipline.
G. Stanley Hall: One of the key figures who introduced psychology to the United States.

Major Theories and Perspectives

Sigmund Freud: Introduced Psychoanalytic Theory, emphasizing the influence of the unconscious on behavior; raised controversies regarding control over mental processes.
John B. Watson: Considered the founder of behaviorism, which focuses only on observable behavior.
B.F. Skinner: Championed the idea that behavior is shaped by external stimuli, advocating that free will is an illusion.

Research Methodologies

Positivism: Belief in the existence of a single, knowable truth.
Empiricism: Emphasizes observation and data collection to understand the world.
Hypothesis vs Theory: A hypothesis is a specific prediction, while a theory comprises related ideas explaining the relationship between variables.
Experiments and Correlational Studies:
- Experiments allow for precise control and causal conclusions but can be limited in scope.
- Correlational studies assess naturally occurring relationships to find patterns (positive and negative correlations).

Biological Foundations of Psychology

Biological Psychology: Explores the connection between biological processes and behavior.
Neuron Structure:
- Dendrites: Receive information.
- Soma: Integrates incoming signals.
- Axon: Transmits signals to other neurons.
- Myelin Sheath: Increases signal speed.
- Synapse: Space for neurotransmitter signaling between neurons.

Types of Neurons

Motor Neurons: Efferent neurons controlling muscles and glands.
Sensory Neurons: Afferent neurons converting external stimuli into internal electrical impulses.
Mirror Neurons: Activate while observing others' actions, facilitating imitation.

Neural Communication and Transmission

Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that convey information between neurons, including:
- Dopamine: Influences pleasure and voluntary movement.
- Serotonin: Regulates mood and sleep.
- ACh: Involved in movement and memory.
- Other neurotransmitters play roles in pain relief, arousal, and social bonding.

Action Potentials and Neural Activity

Action Potential: A rapid electrical charge shift within a neuron, initiated by ion movement across the membrane.
All-or-None Law: Neurons either fire fully or not at all; stimulus intensity affects firing rate.

Brain Structure and Function

Frontal Lobe: Engaged in reasoning, motor control, and language production. Associated with Broca's area for speech.
Temporal Lobe: Processes auditory information; Wernicke's area is critical for language comprehension.
Occipital Lobe: Processes visual data; damage can lead to loss of sight.
Parietal Lobe: Interprets sensory information and spatial awareness.
Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance.
Limbic System: Includes structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, crucial for sensory processing, emotional regulation, and memory.

Sensation and Perception

Psychophysics: Investigates how physical stimuli are perceived psychologically.
Sensation vs Perception: Sensation involves the raw input from senses, whereas perception pertains to interpretation.
Vision: Involves structures such as the cornea, pupil, iris, lens, retina, and optic pathways, facilitating visual processing.

Color Perception Theories

Trichromatic Theory: Color perception is based on the light absorbed by three types of cones (red, green, blue).
Opponent Process Theory: Color perception arises from antagonistic responses, creating opposite color pairings that also explain after-images.

Unique Sensory Conditions

Synesthesia: A neurological condition leading to unique and mixed sensory experiences.

Perceptual Influences

Perceptual Processes: Rely on sensory input transformed into neural signals, shaped by individual expectations, attentional focus, and selective input.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and figures in Psychology with these flashcards covering Chapters 1 to 4. Learn about influential psychologists like Wilhem Wundt and Sigmund Freud, and grasp foundational concepts in the field. Perfect for exam preparation!