Psychology Exam 1 Notes

How the mind produces behavior rather than its composition.

Specialists who compare behaviors among species.

Studied human characteristics and heredity's role in achievement.

Creator of the IQ test and provider of special services for children.

Psychological approach focusing on observable behaviors, not mental processes.

Theory founded by Freud; emphasizes unconscious influences on thoughts and behaviors.

Study of relationships between sensory stimuli and perceived properties.

Systematic approach to answering questions to reduce bias.

Visual receptors responsible for color vision.

Visual receptors that respond to dim light.

Center of the retina with the highest concentration of cones.

The number of vibrations of sound waves per second, measured in hertz (Hz).

The intensity of sound waves, perceived as loudness.

The spiral-shaped cavity in the inner ear containing hearing receptors.

Hearing loss due to failure of ear bones to transmit sound properly.

The sense of smell which converts physical energy to brain activity.

A variable that an experimenter manipulates; the cause of something.

A factor that may change in response to the independent variable; what you measure.

The group exposed to the independent variable or receiving the treatment.

The group treated the same as the experimental group but not exposed to the treatment.

A method where subjects are assigned to groups using chance.

The conversion of energy from the environment into nerve signals for the brain.

The interpretation and organization of sensory information.

Any condition or characteristic that can be manipulated or measured in an experiment.

Newborns have better vision than once thought, developing depth perception as they crawl.

Infants respond more vigorously to interesting sounds, especially human voices, but may habituate over time.

Even at one month, infants can distinguish voices, preferring their mother's over others.

Newborns show facial reactions indicating a developed sense of taste and can distinguish odors.

Eight developmental stages from infancy to older adulthood, each with psychosocial dilemmas.

By their first birthday, infants achieve clear vision.

Infant stage where caregivers provide reliability, care, and affection leading to trust.

Development follows genetic instructions leading to sequential milestones like standing before walking.

Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can lead to FAS in babies, causing malformations and learning disabilities.

Parenting style that is supportive yet sets firm limits, fostering self-reliance in children.

Three types exist: cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential studies of development across ages.

Young adult stage focusing on forming intimate relationships vs. experiencing loneliness.

Developmental stage (ages 7-11) where children understand reversible operations and physical properties.

Lenient parenting style with little discipline; fosters impulsivity in children.

Understanding that certain properties of objects remain unchanged despite changes in form or appearance.

Stage (12 years+) where abstract thinking and logical reasoning develop effectively.

Range of tasks a child can perform with help but not yet alone; emphasizes interaction with skilled others.

Support method where teachers or parents assist children's problem-solving to promote independence.

Theory outlining 8 stages of human development, each marked by social and emotional conflicts.

Developmental tasks or crises faced in each of Erikson's eight life stages.

Vygotsky's idea that cultural context influences child development and learning interactions.