Research Methods: Surveys and Observation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

To protect neurons from damage

To send messages between neurons (correct)

To manufacture DNA for neurons

To provide insulation to axons

Which part of the neuron is responsible for carrying the action potential to other neurons?

Cell body

Myelin sheath

Axon (correct)

Dendrites

What is the role of glial cells in the nervous system?

They conduct electrical signals

They directly transmit neurotransmitters

They help support and protect neurons (correct)

They produce action potentials

What is the term for the tiny gap between two neurons at the synapse?

Synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

What function does the myelin sheath serve in the nervous system?

It speeds up the transmission of impulses Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a neuron fires an action potential?

Neurotransmitters are released Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a neuron is primarily responsible for receiving messages from other neurons?

Dendrites Signup and view all the answers

Why is the nervous system important for psychology?

It connects psychological phenomena to biological processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using a representative sample in research?

To reflect the characteristics of the entire population Signup and view all the answers

Which sampling method involves breaking down a population into groups before sampling?

Stratified random sampling Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of surveys mentioned in the content?

Respondents may not provide truthful answers Signup and view all the answers

In naturalistic observation, what is a fundamental rule for researchers?

They must not interfere and should only observe Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of conducting research via naturalistic observation?

It allows researchers to observe behavior in real-world settings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes random sampling?

A method where every member has an equal chance of being selected Signup and view all the answers

What is a common limitation of surveys mentioned in the content?

They can be impacted by the way questions are worded Signup and view all the answers

Why is research in naturalistic settings sometimes the only viable option?

It allows for the study of phenomena that cannot be replicated in a lab Signup and view all the answers

Which glial cells are responsible for myelin sheath production in the central nervous system?

Oligodendrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the charge of a neuron at rest?

-70 mV Signup and view all the answers

What effect does an inhibitory message have on the neuron?

Causes hyperpolarization, making it less likely to fire Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glial cell is associated with immune function in the brain?

Microglia Signup and view all the answers

When does a neuron reach the threshold of excitation?

-50 mV Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during depolarization of the neuron?

The inside of the neuron becomes more positive than at rest Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ions is NOT mentioned as present in the communication within a neuron?

Calcium (Ca^+) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of astrocytes?

They are linked to neurodegenerative diseases Signup and view all the answers

What are nodes of Ranvier primarily responsible for?

Allowing ions to enter and exit the neuron Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the neuron when it receives an inhibitory message?

Chloride channels open and chloride ions enter Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electrical charge of the neuron when sodium ions enter?

The charge becomes less negative Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold of excitation for a neuron to fire?

-50mv Signup and view all the answers

How does a neuron return to resting potential after firing?

By opening potassium channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the electrical charge of a neuron at resting potential?

-70mv Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of potassium ions leaving the neuron?

The neuron becomes hyperpolarized Signup and view all the answers

What role do channels play in neuronal activity?

They selectively allow ions to move in and out Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the refractory period of a neuron?

The neuron does not fire when stimulated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of neurotransmitters (NTMs) after they detach from receptor sites?

They are either reabsorbed or degraded. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is known to deliver both excitatory and inhibitory messages?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is no reuptake or degradation of neurotransmitters?

The neurotransmitters will deliver the same message repeatedly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of dopamine in the brain?

It supports motivation and mood regulation. Signup and view all the answers

How do drugs affect the brain's communication between neurons?

They interfere with synaptic transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following neurotransmitters is exclusively inhibitory?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens when dopamine levels are low?

There can be risks of depression and low motivation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Surveys

Gathering information from a large sample of people using questions
Goal: Generalize findings from a representative sample to the broader population
Representative sample: Sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the population
Random sampling ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
Simple random sample: Directly picking a sample from the population using random sampling
Stratified random sample: Dividing the population into groups and then randomly selecting samples from each group
Advantages: Affordable, Easy to administer, Can include individuals not typically in research (e.g., homebound, illiterate), Sometimes the only way to gain specific information
Disadvantages: Accuracy of responses is not guaranteed, Questions can be worded to influence responses, Researcher characteristics can affect outcomes

Naturalistic Observation

Conducting research in real-world settings
Researcher must not interfere with the observed behavior
Advantages: Offers realistic data, Often the only way to gather certain types of information, May lead to unexpected discoveries
Disadvantages: Similar to surveys with researcher bias, Researcher receives information from both the environment and internal body, Information is analyzed and used to produce behaviors through communication with muscles and glands
The nervous system creates consciousness and awareness

Neurons

The basic unit of communication in the nervous system
Electrochemical communication process
When a neuron communicates, an action potential (AP) is fired (also known as neural impulse or electrical impulse).
AP leads to the release of neurotransmitters (NTM), chemicals used for communication between neurons
Variety of shapes and sizes but similar structures
Structure:
- Cell body (soma): Contains the nucleus and DNA, responsible for neuron survival and function
- Dendrites: Receive messages from other neurons and increase the soma's surface area without taking up much space
- Axon: Carries the action potential when the neuron fires
- Axon branches/Axon terminals: Axon branches into multiple terminals
- Terminal buttons: Small structures at the end of axon branches that release NTMs
- Myelin sheath: Fatty substance that insulates some axons, speeding up information transmission
- Synapse: Junction for communication between neurons
- Synaptic cleft/gap: Tiny space between two neurons at the synapse
- Presynaptic neuron: Sends out messages
- Postsynaptic neuron: Receives messages

Glial Cells (Glia)

Second type of cell in the nervous system
Billions of them
Known as "nannies of the neurons" because they:
- Support neuron development
- Provide nutrition
- Insulate neurons
- Protect neurons
- Clean waste products
- Remove dead neurons
Involved in complex functions like learning, attention, and intelligence
Linked to brain diseases
Different types of glia cells perform various functions
- Oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwan cells (outside CNS) produce, lay down, and repair the myelin sheath
- Microglia: Immune function, play a role in learning and memory, degeneration linked to Alzheimer's disease
- Astrocytes: Immune function, linked to neurodegenerative diseases

Communication Within a Neuron

80% water
Intracellular fluid: Inside the neuron
Extracellular fluid: Outside the neuron
Dissolved chemicals:
- Na+ Sodium ions
- Cl- Chloride ions
- K+ Potassium ions
These ions are found inside and outside the neuron in different concentrations
Neuron at rest:
- Not firing or communicating (no AP)
- More negative ions inside, making the neuron negatively charged
- More positive ions outside, making the neuron positively charged
- -70mV electrical charge (polarized)
At rest, the neuron receives messages from other neurons:
- Inhibitory messages:
  - Instruct the neuron not to fire
  - Make the inside of the neuron more negative (hyperpolarized)
  - Neuron less likely to fire
- Excitatory messages:
  - Instruct the neuron to fire
  - Change ion concentrations
  - Make the inside of the neuron less negative (depolarized)
  - Neuron more likely to fire
Neuron fires when the electrical charge reaches -50mV (threshold of excitation)
Detailed ion movements:
- Inhibitory messages:
  - Chloride (Cl-) channels open
  - Chloride ions move into the neuron (influx)
  - Inside becomes more negative
  - Hyperpolarization
  - Neuron less likely to fire
- Excitatory messages:
  - Sodium (Na+) channels open
  - Sodium ions move into the neuron (influx)
  - Inside becomes less negative
  - Depolarization
  - Neuron more likely to fire
- Returning to resting potential:
  - After sodium channels open, potassium (K+) channels open
  - Potassium ions leave the neuron (efflux)
  - Inside becomes less positive
  - Electrical charge reaches -70mV, neuron polarized again (at resting potential)
- Refractory period:
  - Before reaching resting potential
  - Neuron will not fire if stimulated
  - Membrane hyperpolarized due to excessive potassium leaving the cell
- Sodium and potassium ion balance:
  - Sodium ions are pumped out, and potassium ions are pumped back in

Communication Between Neurons

When the presynaptic neuron fires, the action potential travels down the axon to the terminal buttons
NTMs are released from the terminal buttons and cross the synaptic cleft
NTMs bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron, delivering the message
Each NTM has its own specific receptor site
Fate of NTMs:
- Reuptake: NTM detaches from the receptor and is reabsorbed back into the presynaptic neuron for reuse
- Degradation: NTM detaches and is broken down by enzymes, preventing continued messaging
Importance of reuptake and degradation:
- Prevent excessive message relay, ensuring proper nervous system function

Neurotransmitters (NTM)

Chemicals produced by the brain for communication between neurons
Some deliver only excitatory messages (e.g., acetylcholine, glutamate)
Some deliver only inhibitory messages (e.g., GABA)
Some deliver both excitatory and inhibitory messages (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, enkephalins/endorphins)
Maintaining healthy NTM levels is crucial for physical and mental well-being
Dopamine:
- Involved in various functions, including:
  - Mood regulation (happiness, good mood)
  - Motivation and goal pursuit
  - Motor function
  - Pleasure derived from life
- Low dopamine levels are associated with:
  - Depression
  - Lack of motivation
  - Motor problems (Parkinson's disease)
  - Decreased pleasure
- Dopamine abnormalities are linked to schizophrenia

Drugs and the Brain

Drugs exert their effects at the synapse
They interfere with communication between neurons

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Explore key concepts in research methods focusing on surveys and naturalistic observation. This quiz dives into sampling techniques, advantages and disadvantages of surveys, and the intricacies of real-world observation. Test your knowledge on how these methods gather information effectively.