AP Psych Midterm Flashcards
Study for midterms
Experiment:
Researcher controls variables to establish cause and effect
Disadvantage: difficult to generalize
Independent Variable
Purposefully altered by researcher to look for effect
Experimental Group
Received the treatment (part of the IV); can have multiple exp, groups
Control Group
Placebo, baseline (part of the IV); can only have 1
Placebo Effect
Show behaviors associated with the exp. group when having received placebo
Dependent Variable
Measured variable (is DEPENDENT on the independent variable)
Double Blind
Where neither the participant or the experimenter are aware of which condition people are assigned to (drug studies)
Single Blind
Only participant blind- used if experimenter can’t be blind (gender, age, etc)
Operational Definition
Clear, precise typically quantifiable definition of your variables - allows replication
Confound
Error/flaw in study
Random assignment
Assigns participants to either control or experimental group at random - increase chance of equal representation among groups
Random sample (selection)
Method for choosing participants for your study - everyone has a chance to take part, increases generalizability
Representative Sample
Sample mimics the general pop.
Positive Correlation
Variables increase and decrease toagher
Negative Correlation
As one variable increases the other decreases
Naturalistic Observation
Adv: Real world validity (observe people in their own setting)
Disadv: no cause and effect
Case study
Adv: Studies ONE person (usually) in great detail - lots of info
Disadv: No cause and effect
ETHICAL GUIDELINES
- Confidentiality
- Informed Consent
- Debriefing
- Deception must be warranted
- No Harm
Neuron
Basic cells of the NS
Dendrites
Short, branchlike structures of a neuron that receive information from receptors and other neurons
Soma
Cell body (includes nucleus)
Axon
Part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons and to muscles and glands
Myelin Sheath
Fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing speed of transmission
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messenger that cross the synaptic gap between neurons
Synapse
Site where two or mor neurons interact but do not touch
Reuptake
- Method of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft, in which the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into the terminal buttons
Endorphins
“morphine within”, natural, opiate like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and to pleasure
Resting potential
Electrical charge (negative) of a neuron when it is not firing
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the peripheral nervous system that control’s the body’s skeletal muscles
Brainstem
- The oldest part of the central core of the brain
- Responsible for automatic survival funtions and composed of medulla, pons and reticular formation
Pons
Structure of the brainstem that allows for communication between the cerebellum, cerebral cortex
Medulla
- Base of the brainstem
- Controls heartbeat and breathing
Reticular Formation
- Band of nerve fivers that run through the center of the brainstem
- Important in controlling arousal levels
Cerebellum
- Structure of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary muscular movements
Corpus Callosum
- Wide band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
Limbic System
A group of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex that are involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors
Thalamus
- Subcortical structure that relays incoming sensory information to the cerbral cortex and other parts of the brain
- “Sensory Switchboard”
Action Potential
- Brieft electrical charge that travels down the axon
- A process also called “depolarization”
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Refractory period
- Period, after firing, during which the neuron is unable to fire because it is repolarizing
Aphasia
loss of ability to speak or understand written or spoken language
Endocrine system
The body’s “slow” chemical communication system, a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemicals produced by the glands of the endocrine system that are carried by the bloodstream to other body tissues
Pituitary Gland
- Gland located below the thalamus and hypothalamus
- Called the “master gland” of the endocrine system because it controls many other glands
Acetylocholine (ACh)
- Neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning and memory
- Undersupply is linked with Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
- NT that influences movement, learning and attention
- Overactivity of receptors linked to schizophrenia while an undersupply linked to Parkinson’s disease
Serotonin
- NT that affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
- Undersupply of this NT is linked with Depression
Norepinephrine
- NT that controls alertness and arousal
- Undersupply can depress mood
GABA
- Majory inhibitory NT
- Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors and insomnia
Glutamate
- Major excitatory NT
- Oversupply can overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures
Hippocampus
- Structure in the limbic system important in processing memories
