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Questions and Answers
Who is known for founding experimental psychology?
Who is known for founding experimental psychology?
What concept is associated with Edward Titchener?
What concept is associated with Edward Titchener?
According to the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, what happens to behaviors that lead to pleasant outcomes?
According to the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, what happens to behaviors that lead to pleasant outcomes?
Which framework focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal processes?
Which framework focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal processes?
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What do scientific theories need to be in order to be deemed valid?
What do scientific theories need to be in order to be deemed valid?
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Which of the following elements is NOT part of the five perspectives of psychology?
Which of the following elements is NOT part of the five perspectives of psychology?
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What is an operational definition in research?
What is an operational definition in research?
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Who are the key figures associated with Humanism in psychology?
Who are the key figures associated with Humanism in psychology?
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What is a characteristic feature of correlational methods?
What is a characteristic feature of correlational methods?
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Which of the following best describes a case study?
Which of the following best describes a case study?
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What is a significant limitation of descriptive methods?
What is a significant limitation of descriptive methods?
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Which type of observation involves the researcher actively participating in the phenomenon being studied?
Which type of observation involves the researcher actively participating in the phenomenon being studied?
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What does random assignment in experimental methods help to ensure?
What does random assignment in experimental methods help to ensure?
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What defines a double-blind experiment?
What defines a double-blind experiment?
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What is a confound variable?
What is a confound variable?
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What is the primary difference between a population and a sample in research?
What is the primary difference between a population and a sample in research?
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What problem does the directionality issue in correlational studies present?
What problem does the directionality issue in correlational studies present?
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Which of the following is an advantage of conducting surveys in descriptive methods?
Which of the following is an advantage of conducting surveys in descriptive methods?
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What initiates the action potential in a neuron?
What initiates the action potential in a neuron?
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What is the primary function of neurotransmitters?
What is the primary function of neurotransmitters?
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What effect does hyperpolarization have on the neuron?
What effect does hyperpolarization have on the neuron?
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How do myelinated axons propagate action potentials compared to unmyelinated axons?
How do myelinated axons propagate action potentials compared to unmyelinated axons?
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What is the role of the sodium-potassium pump during the return to resting potential?
What is the role of the sodium-potassium pump during the return to resting potential?
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Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with inhibitory functions?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with inhibitory functions?
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What is the function of the thalamus in the brain?
What is the function of the thalamus in the brain?
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Which drug effect is described as enhancing the action of a neurotransmitter?
Which drug effect is described as enhancing the action of a neurotransmitter?
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What characterizes the process of neurogenesis?
What characterizes the process of neurogenesis?
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Which of the following is a function of the cerebellum?
Which of the following is a function of the cerebellum?
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Which neurotransmitter is specifically linked to mood regulation and sleep?
Which neurotransmitter is specifically linked to mood regulation and sleep?
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What is the primary mechanism by which neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic gap?
What is the primary mechanism by which neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic gap?
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Which part of the brain manages autonomic functions like breathing and heartbeat?
Which part of the brain manages autonomic functions like breathing and heartbeat?
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What happens to potassium channels during repolarization?
What happens to potassium channels during repolarization?
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What does reliability in measurement refer to?
What does reliability in measurement refer to?
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Which of the following best describes interrater reliability?
Which of the following best describes interrater reliability?
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What is the primary purpose of inferential statistics?
What is the primary purpose of inferential statistics?
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What does heritability estimate?
What does heritability estimate?
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Which statement accurately reflects the nature vs. nurture debate?
Which statement accurately reflects the nature vs. nurture debate?
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What is the primary function of glial cells in the nervous system?
What is the primary function of glial cells in the nervous system?
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Which type of neuron carries signals from the body to the brain?
Which type of neuron carries signals from the body to the brain?
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What occurs during the depolarization phase of a neuron firing?
What occurs during the depolarization phase of a neuron firing?
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What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured at?
What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured at?
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What does the all-or-nothing principle state regarding neuron firing?
What does the all-or-nothing principle state regarding neuron firing?
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What role does myelin play in neural signaling?
What role does myelin play in neural signaling?
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What is meant by the term replicability in research?
What is meant by the term replicability in research?
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Which part of the neuron receives input from other neurons?
Which part of the neuron receives input from other neurons?
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What happens during the refractory period of a neuron?
What happens during the refractory period of a neuron?
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What is the primary function of the hippocampus?
What is the primary function of the hippocampus?
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Which region of the brain is primarily responsible for vision?
Which region of the brain is primarily responsible for vision?
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What role does the amygdala play in the human brain?
What role does the amygdala play in the human brain?
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Damage to which lobe is likely to result in difficulty localizing touch and pain?
Damage to which lobe is likely to result in difficulty localizing touch and pain?
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Which part of the brain is involved in decision-making and controlling the autonomic nervous system?
Which part of the brain is involved in decision-making and controlling the autonomic nervous system?
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What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system?
What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system?
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What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?
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Which statement best describes lateralization in the brain?
Which statement best describes lateralization in the brain?
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What does the autonomic nervous system primarily regulate?
What does the autonomic nervous system primarily regulate?
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Which gland is considered the body's master gland?
Which gland is considered the body's master gland?
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What hormone is primarily responsible for regulating sleep cycles?
What hormone is primarily responsible for regulating sleep cycles?
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Which part of the brain initiates the process of interpreting visual input?
Which part of the brain initiates the process of interpreting visual input?
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Which system communicates essential chemicals for digestion?
Which system communicates essential chemicals for digestion?
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What condition may arise from damage to the connections between the prefrontal cortex and movement areas?
What condition may arise from damage to the connections between the prefrontal cortex and movement areas?
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Study Notes
Wilhelm Wundt & Early Schools of Thought
- Wundt is credited with founding experimental psychology.
- Voluntarism (Wundt): emphasizes conscious will and choice.
- Structuralism (Titchener): breaks down the mind into the smallest mental elements.
- Functionalism (James): views behavior as purposeful, aiding survival.
- Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner, Pavlov): focuses on observable behaviors.
- Humanism (Rogers, Maslow): humanists often rebelled against Freudian approaches, believing in natural human goodness.
Research Methods Overview
- Scientific theories explain relationships between variables.
- Research requires peer review and replication.
- Testable and falsifiable hypotheses are crucial.
- Parsimonious theories favor simplicity.
- Conceptual definitions explain the meaning of a term.
- Operational definitions define theoretical constructs in observable terms.
Descriptive Research Methods
- Concerned with single variables.
- Includes surveys, focus groups, case studies, and observational research.
- Case studies analyze individuals in depth.
- Surveys collect large amounts of data quickly.
- Focus groups and interviews yield detailed info.
- Observational research can be naturalistic, participant, or lab-based.
- Descriptive methods can stimulate further research but aren't ideal for establishing cause-and-effect.
Correlational Research Methods
- Examines associations between variables.
- Does NOT establish cause-and-effect.
- Includes directionality and third-variable problems.
- Correlation coefficients measure the strength and direction of a relationship (-1 to +1).
Experimental Research Methods
- Aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
- Involves manipulating an independent variable and measuring a dependent variable.
- Random assignment ensures groups are similar.
- Random sampling ensures the sample represents the population.
- Confound variables can influence results.
- Quasi-experiments use pre-existing groups without random assignment.
- Field experiments conduct experiments in real-world settings.
- Double-blind experiments reduce bias.
Validity and Reliability
- External validity: how generalizable are the findings?
- Internal validity: how well-established is the cause-and-effect relationship?
- Reliability: consistency of a measure (interrater, inter-method, internal consistency). A measure can be reliable without being valid, but not valid without being reliable.
Statistics
- Descriptive statistics summarize data (percentages, averages, correlations).
- Inferential statistics use samples to draw conclusions about populations (probabilistic).
- Reproducibility and replicability are crucial to scientific validity.
Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Nature and nurture interact to determine behavior.
- Epigenetics studies how non-genetic factors affect gene expression.
- The nervous system (CNS & PNS) is the body's communication system.
Nervous System
- Neurons are the basic unit of the nervous system, communicating via electrical and chemical signals.
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals at synapses (the gaps between neurons).
- Glia support neurons, forming myelin for efficient signal transmission.
- Neurons are polarized at rest, with an internal negative charge (-70 mV).
- Axons carry information away from the cell body, dendrites receive information.
Action Potential
- Action Potential: is an all-or-none electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron.
- Depolarization: occurs when the cell membrane becomes more permeable to Na+, causing the inside of the cell to become more positive.
- Repolarization: occurs when the cell membrane becomes more permeable to K+, causing the inside of the cell to become more negative.
Neurotransmitters & Drugs
- Neurotransmitters (e.g., glutamate, GABA, serotonin) have specific roles in the nervous system.
- Drugs can act as agonists (mimic or enhance neurotransmitters) or antagonists (block neurotransmitters).
Brain Structure and Function
- The brain has various structures with specific functions (e.g., brainstem, cerebellum, thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, etc.).
- The cerebral cortex (with its lobes) is the outermost layer of the brain.
- Neuroplasticity and neurogenesis show the brain's ability to change and adapt.
Peripheral Nervous System
- The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) includes the Somatic Nervous System (voluntary functions) and the Autonomic Nervous System (involuntary functions, sympathetic and parasympathetic).
Endocrine System
- The Endocrine System uses hormones to regulate psychological activity, often working in concert with the nervous system.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts in psychology, focusing on Wilhelm Wundt's contributions and the evolution of early psychological schools of thought. This quiz covers essential research methods, including descriptive approaches and the importance of testable hypotheses. Test your understanding of how these theories and methods shape psychological study.
