Psychology Notes PDF

Definitions of Psychology 1. Mind and Behavior Structuralism (Wundt, Titchener) seeks basic elements of thought. Behaviorism (Watson, 1913) emphasizes observable behavior. Cognitivism (1967) integrates mind and behavior by focusing on processes like attent...

Definitions of Psychology 1. Mind and Behavior Structuralism (Wundt, Titchener) seeks basic elements of thought. Behaviorism (Watson, 1913) emphasizes observable behavior. Cognitivism (1967) integrates mind and behavior by focusing on processes like attention, perception, and memory. 2. Experimental Epistemology Nativism (Nature): Knowledge is innate. Empiricism (Nurture): Knowledge comes from experience. Rationalism: Knowledge through conceptual manipulation. Associationism: Learning by connecting experiences. 3. Knowing and Experiencing Knowing: Awareness of information, influencing behavior. Experiencing: Distinct from knowing; involves sensory interaction (e.g., tasting salt). 4. Things That Move on Their Own Animate Motion: Psychology studies beings with goals, perceptions, learning, and memory (humans, animals, bacteria). Mind-Body Problem Materialism: Thoughts and actions are physically based. Dualism (Descartes): The mind and body are separate but interact. Reflexes Definition: Involuntary, automatic response to a stimulus. Example: Knee-jerk reflex, where sensory neurons trigger motor responses without brain involvement. Neuron Anatomy 5. Dendrites: Receive signals. 6. Axon: Sends signals away. 7. Myelin Sheath: Insulates, speeds up transmission.  8. Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps for ion exchange. 9. Synapse: Gap for signal transmission between neurons. Action Potential (AP) Phases 10. Resting State (-70mV). 11. Threshold (-55mV): AP triggered. 12. Depolarization (+40mV): Na+ rushes in. 13. Repolarization: K+ exits, restoring negativity. 14. Return to Resting State: Restored by Na+/K+ pumps. Neurotransmitters and Synapses Excitatory: Increases likelihood of AP. Inhibitory: Reduces likelihood of AP. Reuptake: Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed, affected by drugs like SSRIs (antidepressants). The Nervous System 15. CNS: Brain and spinal cord. 16. PNS: Divides into somatic (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary) systems. Autonomic: ▪ Sympathetic: Fight/flight response. ▪ Parasympathetic: Rest and digest. Brain Anatomy and Functions 17. Hindbrain: Basic survival functions. Medulla: Vital functions (breathing, heart rate). Pons: Arousal, attention. Cerebellum: Coordinates movement. 18. Midbrain: Basic visual and auditory processing. Superior Colliculus: Visual tracking. Substantia Nigra: Dopamine production (affects movement). 19. Forebrain: Thalamus: Sensory relay.  Hypothalamus: Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature. Basal Ganglia: Smooth, coordinated movement. Limbic System: Memory (hippocampus) and emotion (amygdala). Cerebral Cortex Frontal Lobe: Planning, motor control, social behavior. Parietal Lobe: Touch processing. Occipital Lobe: Vision. Temporal Lobe: Language and memory. Notable Cases and Experiments 20. Phineas Gage: Frontal lobe damage changed personality. 21. Charles Sherrington: Discovered synapse via inhibition/disinhibition experiments. 22. Wilder Penfield: Mapped sensory/motor areas (found "homunculus" regions). Brain Disorders Broca’s Aphasia: Difficulty speaking but comprehension intact (left hemisphere damage). Wernicke’s Aphasia: Fluent but nonsensical speech, poor comprehension (left hemisphere damage). Parkinson’s Disease: Degeneration of substantia nigra affecting dopamine and movement. Classical Conditioning Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Naturally elicits a response. Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Paired with US to elicit a learned response.