Psychology Overview: Encoding, Memory, and More

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is observational learning primarily characterized by?

Studying the environment for responses

Learning through trial and error

Learning by observing the actions of adults (correct)

Imitating the behaviors of peers

What principle does the superego represent in Freud's theory of personality?

Instinctual drives dictating impulsiveness

Morality principle guiding social behavior (correct)

Reality principle managing urges and desires

Pleasure principle focused on immediate gratification

Which learning method relies on rewards and punishments?

Observational learning

Operant conditioning (correct)

Classical conditioning

Psychoanalytical learning

Which of Freud's components of personality mediates between the id and the superego?

The ego Signup and view all the answers

Which type of encoding involves processing information through sounds?

Acoustic encoding Signup and view all the answers

In the context of phobias, what is a common cause?

Desire for an unattainable goal Signup and view all the answers

What is true about short-term memory (STM) regarding its retrieval process?

STM is stored and retrieved sequentially. Signup and view all the answers

What do anti-depressants primarily prevent in relation to serotonin?

Re-uptake of serotonin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of long-term memory (LTM)?

It holds only visual information Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with depression?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

In which manner is long-term memory (LTM) typically retrieved?

By association Signup and view all the answers

Which stage is NOT part of Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development?

Conceptual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe a feature of storage in memory?

How quickly it can be forgotten Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of anti-anxiety drugs?

Reduce arousal and depress activity in the CNS Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical perspective suggests that organisms are born with biological tendencies to survive?

Instinct Theory Signup and view all the answers

What does 'self-actualization' refer to in psychological contexts?

Accepting who you are Signup and view all the answers

According to the Young-Helmholtz Theory, how can the sensation of any color be achieved?

By the superposition of pure red, green, and blue colors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Maslow's self-esteem literature?

Understanding self-concept Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of a 'language acquisition device' refer to?

An innate capacity for interpreting and using language Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the circadian rhythm in human physiology?

Controlling sleep-wake cycles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes consciousness?

An awareness and reflection on the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the limbic system?

To form long term memories Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the limbic system is primarily involved in emotional responses?

Amygdala Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Kluver-Bucy syndrome cause?

Hypersexuality and disinhibited behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which function is associated with the hypothalamus?

Controlling the autonomic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What does the hippocampus primarily convert?

Short term memory to long term memory Signup and view all the answers

Which hormones does the hypothalamus trigger the release of during stress responses?

Epinephrine and norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'noise' in a system?

Interference in the signal detection process Signup and view all the answers

How does the brain behave when an individual is awake?

It produces alpha waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Frustration results in aggression. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is linked with increased aggression according to hormonal influence?

Higher levels of testosterone. Signup and view all the answers

The bystander effect is illustrated by which historical case?

The Kitty Genovese case. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of social-exchange theory in relation to altruism?

Maximizing rewards and minimizing costs when helping others. Signup and view all the answers

What does the kin selection hypothesis suggest?

Helping family increases the chance of genetic survival. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach relies on drugs or surgery as a primary method of therapy?

Biological medical approach. Signup and view all the answers

According to Carl Rogers, what constitutes self-concept?

An understanding of one's true self. Signup and view all the answers

What are aggressive cues that may increase levels of aggression when provoked?

The presence of weapons and dark clothing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Information Encoding

Information can be encoded in three ways: visual (picture), acoustic (sound), and semantic (meaning).

Storage

Short-term memory (STM): stores information sequentially, limited capacity, and lasts seconds to minutes.
Long-term memory (LTM): stores information through association, large capacity, and can last a lifetime.

Retrieval

STM is retrieved sequentially.
LTM is retrieved by association.

Language Development

Noam Chomsky proposed the language acquisition device: a universal, built-in mental system that guides language interpretation and usage.

Young-Helmholtz Theory of Color Vision

The sensation of any color can be achieved by superimposing pure red, green, and blue colors.

Motivation

Arousal Theory: suggests people seek an optimal level of alertness and physical/mental activation.
Instinct Theory: proposes all organisms have innate biological tendencies for survival.

Aggression & Altruism

Frustration-aggression hypothesis: suggests aggression stems from frustration, but this hypothesis is incomplete.
Testosterone levels: higher levels are associated with greater aggression.
Aggressive cues: weapons, black clothing, can increase aggression in provoked individuals.
Bystander effect: individuals are less likely to help when more people are present.
Social exchange theory: maximizing rewards and minimizing costs influences helping behavior.
Social responsibility norm: encourages aiding those in need.
Reciprocity norm: encourages helping those who have helped you.
Kin selection hypothesis: helping family increases the chance of passing on your genes.

Therapy: Biological Medical Approach

Relies on drugs and surgery to alter brain function.
Depression is associated with low serotonin levels.
Antidepressants (SSRIs): prevent serotonin re-uptake leading to elevated moods.
Anti-anxiety drugs: reduce arousal and depress central nervous system (CNS) activity.
Antipsychotics: treat schizophrenia symptoms by blocking dopamine neurotransmitter function.

Personality - Humanistic

Carl Rogers' "Self Theory": believes people are inherently good.
True self: encompasses talents, thoughts, desires, and feelings.
Self-concept: our perception of who we are.
Ideal self: what we aspire to be.
Self-actualization: accepting and fulfilling one's potential.
Conditions of worth: external expectations that can hinder self-actualization.

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Pre-moral: focuses on obedience and punishment.
Conventional: focuses on societal rules and expectations.
Post-conventional: focuses on ethical principles and individual rights.

Consciousness

A state of awareness and reflection rather than simply reacting to the environment.

Circadian Rhythm

An internal cycle regulating sleep-wake patterns that roughly corresponds to the Earth's 24-hour rotation.

Brain

Observational Learning (Shaping & Modeling): most common in children as they imitate adult behaviors.
Limbic system: known as the "emotional brain" as it plays a role in emotions such as pain, pleasure, and anger.
- Hippocampus: forms long-term memories.
- Amygdala: processes emotions and fear.
- Hypothalamus: regulates autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and "flight or fight" responses.
- Thalamus: relays sensory information to the cortex.
- Kluver-Bucy syndrome: damage to the amygdala causing hyperorality, hypersexuality, and disinhibited behavior.

Neurons

Resting membrane potential of a neuron is about -70 mV.

Sleep

Brain produces alpha waves when awake, which are relatively slower than other brain waves.

Behaviorism

Focuses on learned responses to environmental stimuli.
Pavlov (classical conditioning): associating stimuli with a response.
Skinner (operant conditioning): learning through rewards and punishments.
Studies animal behavior to apply findings to humans.

Freud

Focused on nervous disorders, and developed the "talking cure."
ID: pleasure principle, driven by immediate gratification (the "devil").
EGO: reality principle, mediates between ID and superego (the "self").
SUPEREGO: morality principle, focuses on social rules and expectations (the "angel").
Phobia: arises from seeking unattainable desires.

Freud: Psychosexual Stages

Believed personality develops in five stages throughout childhood.

Benzodiazepine

Used to control anxiety attacks.

Hippocampus

Converts short-term memories to long-term memories.

Amygdala

Plays a role in processing emotions and fear.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of psychology covering information encoding, memory types, language development, and motivations. Delve into theories like Chomsky's language acquisition and the Young-Helmholtz theory of color vision. This quiz will test your understanding of key psychological principles.