Psychology Unit 1: Basics and Scientific Method

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Questions and Answers

What does positive psychology primarily focus on?

Suppressing negative emotions

Analyzing cognitive distortions

Overcoming emotional disturbances

Strengths and virtues that help individuals thrive (correct)

Which theory posits that emotions result from the awareness of our bodily responses?

Lazarus Theory

Cannon-Bard Theory

Schachter-Singer Theory

James-Lange Theory (correct)

How do cultural display rules influence emotional expression?

They ensure that emotions are only expressed verbally.

They standardize emotional expressions across all cultures.

They dictate appropriate emotional expressions and interpretations within a cultural context. (correct)

They eliminate recognition of basic emotions entirely.

According to research, what is a significant difference in emotional sensitivity between genders?

Women generally exhibit greater emotional literacy and sensitivity to nonverbal cues. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic best describes Type A personalities?

Competitiveness and urgency Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the eye is responsible for bending incoming light for focusing?

Cornea Signup and view all the answers

According to the Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory, how many types of color receptors does the retina contain?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What does the Opponent-Process Theory primarily explain?

Afterimages Signup and view all the answers

Which Gestalt principle involves grouping nearby objects together?

Proximity Signup and view all the answers

What feature detection process in the brain focuses on edges and angles?

Feature Detectors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following binocular cues involves the strain of eye muscles?

Convergence Signup and view all the answers

What does the feature detection and parallel processing of the brain allow for?

Integration of sensory details Signup and view all the answers

What hallmark feature differentiates Stage 3 Non-REM sleep from the other stages?

Large, slow delta waves Signup and view all the answers

Which sleep disorder is characterized by sudden, overwhelming sleep attacks?

Narcolepsy Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of sleep does memory consolidation primarily occur?

N2 Sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of sleep deprivation?

Improved cognitive function Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of REM sleep?

Muscle paralysis Signup and view all the answers

What theory posits that dreams are random neural activity interpreted by the brain?

Activation-Synthesis Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the sleep cycle is true?

Sleep stages cycle approximately every 90 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What action best describes 'tolerance' in substance use disorder?

The need for larger doses to achieve the same effect Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drug is characterized as a depressant that slows brain activity?

Alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which memory system involves unconscious recall of skills like riding a bike?

Procedural Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a strategy used in effortful processing?

Using mnemonics like HOMES Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of sensory memory?

Iconic Memory Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when old memories interfere with the learning of new information?

Proactive Interference Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the 'spacing effect' related to memory retention?

Distributing study sessions over time Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the recollection of memories being subject to suggestion or bias?

Misinformation Effect Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hippocampus play in memory processing?

Processing explicit memories for facts and events Signup and view all the answers

What is the neural basis for learning and memory that involves strengthening synaptic connections?

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) Signup and view all the answers

Which level of processing focuses primarily on superficial characteristics of information?

Shallow Processing Signup and view all the answers

What feature distinguishes long-term memory from short-term memory?

Potentially limitless capacity Signup and view all the answers

Which memory enhancement technique emphasizes the importance of spreading study sessions over time?

Distributed Practice Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is involved in forming conditioned responses?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What type of interference helps explain why learning new languages may alter the ability to recall vocabulary from previously learned languages?

Retroactive Interference Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the slight alteration of memories each time they are recalled?

Reconsolidation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory consolidation predominantly occurs during sleep?

Transferring short-term memories to long-term storage Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is primarily impacted by emotional experiences?

Emotional Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of sleep on memory?

Supports memory consolidation Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of repression in the context of motivated forgetting?

Unconsciously blocking traumatic memories Signup and view all the answers

What refers to the act of reflecting on one's own thought processes?

Metacognition Signup and view all the answers

Which memory type refers to unconscious recall of skills and tasks?

Implicit Memory Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Focus of Positive Psychology

Positive psychology emphasizes the study of human strengths, well-being, and optimal functioning.

Theory of Emotion: James-Lange Theory

The James-Lange theory suggests that emotions result from our awareness of our bodily responses to stimuli. For example, we feel fear because we perceive a racing heart, rapid breathing, and trembling in response to a perceived threat.

Cultural Display Rules

Cultural display rules are social norms that dictate how emotions should be expressed in different situations. They influence how we choose to express our emotions and how we interpret the emotional expressions of others.

Gender Differences in Emotional Sensitivity

Research suggests that women are generally more emotionally expressive than men. They tend to be more aware of and attuned to the emotions of others, potentially due to biological and cultural factors.

Type A Personality

Type A personalities are characterized by a competitive, ambitious, and time-conscious nature often combined with a heightened tendency towards impatience and hostility.

Structure Responsible for Light Focusing

The lens is the component of the eye responsible for bending incoming light and focusing it on the retina for proper image formation.

Trichromatic Theory of Color Vision

The Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory proposes that the retina contains three types of color receptors: cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light. These receptors work together to allow us to perceive the full range of colors.

Explanation of Opponent-Process Theory

The Opponent-Process Theory primarily explains how we perceive colors, especially afterimages. It suggests that our visual system processes colors in pairs: red/green, blue/yellow, and black/white. When one color in the pair is activated, its opposite color is inhibited.

Gestalt Principle of Proximity

The Gestalt principle of proximity states that we tend to group objects together that are located close to one another. This principle simplifies visual perception by creating a sense of wholeness and structure.

Feature Detection Process for Edges and Angles

The feature detection process known as edge detection focuses on identifying outlines, edges, and angles in visual information. It allows us to perceive shapes and objects more accurately.

Binocular Cue: Convergence

Convergence, a binocular cue related to depth perception, involves the strain of eye muscles as they turn inward to focus on an object. The degree of strain is correlated with the perceived distance of the object.

Feature Detection and Parallel Processing

Feature detection and parallel processing within the brain allow for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of visual information. This parallel processing enables us to perceive a complex scene in detail, recognizing different features, objects, and patterns.

Hallmark Feature of Stage 3 Non-REM Sleep

Stage 3 Non-REM sleep, often considered "deep sleep," is characterized by the presence of delta waves, which are slow and large brain waves associated with deep relaxation and muscle inactivity.

Sleep Disorder: Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks, often occurring at inappropriate times. People with narcolepsy may experience sudden, overwhelming sleepiness and can fall asleep unexpectedly, even during activities like driving or conversations.

Memory Consolidation Phase

Memory consolidation, the process of strengthening and stabilizing memories, primarily occurs during REM sleep. This stage of sleep is important for transferring recently acquired information from short-term to long-term memory.

Consequence of Sleep Deprivation

While sleep deprivation can lead to a wide range of consequences, it is NOT associated with increased self-esteem. Other consequences include impaired cognitive function, reduced attention span, mood swings, and increased risk of health problems.

Defining Feature of REM Sleep

REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, muscle paralysis (except for respiratory muscles), and increased brain activity similar to wakefulness.

Theory of Dreams: Activation-Synthesis Theory

The activation-synthesis theory suggests that dreams are a result of random neural activity in the brain during REM sleep. The brain then attempts to make sense of this activity, creating a narrative from these random neural firings.

Truth about the Sleep Cycle

The sleep cycle typically follows a pattern of repeated stages. Each cycle lasts about 90 minutes, and as the night progresses, the REM sleep stage becomes longer.

Action of 'Tolerance'

'Tolerance' in substance use disorder refers to the need for progressively larger doses of a substance to achieve the desired effect. As the body adapts to the substance, it becomes less sensitive, requiring more to experience the same level of intoxication or effect.

Drug Characterization as Depressant

Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down brain activity. It can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times, leading to a variety of negative consequences.

Implicit Memory System

Implicit, or procedural, memory involves unconscious recall of skills and procedures, such as riding a bike, typing, or playing a musical instrument.

Example Strategy for Effortful Processing

Rehearsal, a strategy used in effortful processing, involves consciously repeating information to enhance encoding and retention. It can be practiced through techniques like flashcards, mnemonics, or repeated practice.

Component of Sensory Memory

Iconic memory is a component of sensory memory, responsible for briefly holding visual information. It allows us to perceive movement and continuity in visual experiences, even though the images themselves are only available for a very short period.

Phenomenon: Retroactive Interference

Retroactive interference occurs when newly learned information interferes with the recall of previously learned information. For example, learning new vocabulary in a foreign language may make it more difficult to remember vocabulary from a previously learned language.

'Spacing Effect' in Memory

The spacing effect, a memory enhancement technique, emphasizes distributing study sessions or practice over time. Instead of cramming information, spaced learning helps to improve memory retention.

Term for Suggestibility in Memory

Suggestibility refers to the susceptibility of memories to distortion or manipulation based on suggestions or leading questions. It highlights the fallibility of human memory and the potential for inaccuracies in recall.

Hippocampus Role in Memory Processing

The hippocampus plays a vital role in memory processing, especially in forming new memories and transferring information from short-term to long-term memory. Damage to the hippocampus can severely impair memory function.

Neural Basis of Learning and Memory

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the neural basis for learning and memory. It involves strengthening synaptic connections between neurons, leading to a more efficient and reliable transmission of information.

Level of Processing: Shallow Processing

Shallow processing focuses on superficial characteristics of information, such as the appearance of words or the sounds of words. It results in weaker encoding and less efficient retrieval.

Distinguisher of Long-Term Memory

Long-term memory has a virtually unlimited capacity, unlike short-term memory, which has a limited capacity of about 7 items. Long-term memory can store information for extended periods, ranging from minutes to years.

Memory Enhancement Technique: Spacing Effect

The spacing effect is a memory enhancement technique emphasizing the importance of spreading study sessions over time. It helps to improve memory retention by creating more opportunities for retrieval practice and consolidating learned information.

Brain Structure for Conditioned Responses

The cerebellum is the brain structure involved in forming conditioned responses. It plays a crucial role in associating stimuli with responses, enabling the development of learned behaviors.

Interference in Language Learning

Retroactive interference helps explain why learning new languages may alter the ability to recall vocabulary from previously learned languages. The new vocabulary interferes with the retrieval of the already learned words.

Memory Alteration Process: Reconsolidation

Reconsolidation is the process of reactivating and then restabilizing memories, leading to a slight alteration of the memory each time it is recalled. This process can be influenced by new information, emotions, or other factors.

System consolidation, a type of memory consolidation, primarily occurs during sleep. It involves reorganizing and strengthening memories to make them more stable and accessible for later recall.

Memory Type Affected by Emotions

Flashbulb memories refer to vivid memories of highly emotional experiences. It is a type of episodic memory, characterized by its emotional intensity and the sense of clarity and detail associated with it.

Sleep Impact on Memory

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, improving memory performance and increasing the ability to retain and recall previously learned information. It helps to stabilize and strengthen newly acquired memories.

Consequence of Repression

Repression is a defense mechanism in which individuals unconsciously block out traumatic or distressing memories from conscious awareness. It can lead to difficulties in forming healthy relationships and navigating emotional challenges.

Reflection on Thought Processes

Metacognition is the act of reflecting on one's own thought processes, including the planning, monitoring, and evaluating of thinking.

Memory Type for Skills and Tasks

Procedural memory involves unconscious recall of skills and tasks acquired through practice and experience, such as riding a bike or playing the piano. It is a type of implicit memory that allows for the execution of learned procedures with minimal conscious effort.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of psychology as a science, including the empirical approach, the scientific attitude, and the principles of critical thinking. Dive into how psychology explores the mind and behavior, and the importance of systematic observation and analysis. Test your knowledge on the key aspects that define a scientific mindset in psychology.