Chapter 1&2 Test Flashcards
Gustav Fechner
Credited with conducting the first psychological experiments with his studies of perception
Hermann von Helmholtz
Performed experiments on visual and auditory perception
Wilhelm Wundt
Known as the father of psychology, believed in objective introspection
Objective Introspection
Objectively examining and measuring one’s own mental processes
Edward Titchner
Inspired by Wundt, founder of strucuralism
Structuralism
The psychological perspective that focuses on the details of the brain
Margaret F. Washburn
First woman with a Psychology PhD, published a book on animal behavior
William James
Founder of functionalism
Functionalism
Still detail-oriented but pays more attention to how the brain functions
Max Wertheimer
Objected to detail oriented structuralism and functionalism, founded Gestalt psychology
Gestalt psychology
Studying the brain’s whole patterns ratter than the smaller pieces
Ivan Pavlov
Explored the effects of conditioning
Conditioning
Causing a reflex in response to an unrelated but associated stimulus
John B. Watson
Founder of behaviorism
Behaviorism
The focus on only observable behavior
Mary Cover Jones
Tested and proved a method of unconditioning
Psychodynamic Perspective
Our behavior is a result of our childhood and our desire to fulfill subconscious desires (inspired by Freud)
Behavioral Perspective
Our personality is a result of rewards and punishments
Humanistic Perspective
Our behavior is a result of trying to fulfill our needs in the best way possible
Cognitive Perspective
Our behavior is a result of our mental processes, beliefs, and perceptions
Sociocultural Perspective
Our behavior is a result of the world around us
Lev Vygotsky
Founder of the sociocultural perspective
Cross-Cultural Research
Contrasts and comparisons of behavior studied in at least two different cultures
Biological Perspective
Our behavior is a result of brain structure, body chemistry, hormones, and genetics
Biopsychosocial Perspective
The combination of biological, psychological, and social interactions
George L. Engel
Founder of the Biopsychosocial Perspective
Evolutionary Perspective
Our behavior is the result of natural selection and adaption
Basic research
Research for the purpose of gaining scientific knowledge
Applied research
Research for the purpose of answering specific problems
Paul Broca
Located the brain’s speech center through autopsies
Lesioning
A process where an electric current is used to permenantly damage specific neurons in order to study how the brain functions without that area
Electrical Stimulation of the Brain (ESB)
Similar to lesioning but less permanent, causing neurons to behave as though they have received an inhibitory message
Depp Brain Stimulation (DBS)
A type of ESB in which an impulse generator sends impulses to electrodes implanted around the brain, stimulating specific functions (very invasive, only used in extreme cases!)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Noninvasive brain technique that applies magnetic pulses to the cortex using wires about the head (called repetitive TMS or rTMS when pulses are repetitive)
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Scalp electrodes pass low currents to the brain to change neuron excitability levels
Computed Tomography (CT)
Maps several “slices” of the brain with a computer to show any injuries
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Provides details of the brain using a strong magnetic field to see very small brain changes
MRI spectroscopy
Allows researchers to estimate the concentration of specific brain chemicals
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
Images white matter tracts to measure brain connectivity
The Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Records electrical activity just below the skull to determine which parts of the brain are active when completing specific tasks
Event Related Potentials (ERPs)
Multiple presentations a stimulus are measured with an EEG and then averaged
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
Uses magnetically sensitive devices to identify areas of brain activation
Positiron Emission Tomography (PET)
Levels of glucose intake are monitored to determine which areas of the brain are active
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
Measures brain blood flow to determine activity levels
Functional MRI (fMRI)
A computer tracks changes in oxygen levels of blood in the brain to figure out which parts are active
Medulla
Top of the brain stem, controls basic life-sustaining functions
Pons
On top of the medulla, coordinates movement between left and right sides of the brain
Reticular Formation (RF)
In the brainstem, controls a person’s ability to ignore constant stimuli
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Keeps you awake and alert, part of the RF
Cerebellum
Mini brain at the back of the head, controls all involuntary motor movement (like balance)
Spinocerebellar Degeneration
Occurs when the cerebellum degenerates, leading to problems with tremors, balance, and speech
Limbic System
Responsible for emotions, memories, motivation, and learning
Thalamus
Center of the brain, processes information before sending it to the correct cortex
Olfactory Bulbs
The part of the cortex that deals with smell
Hypothalamus
Underneath the thalamus, regulates chemostasis
Amygdala
Small and at the front of the brain, responsible for emotions and fear
Klüver-Bucy Syndrom
When an animal has their amygdala damaged and no longer fears predators
Cingulate Cortex
Divided into the four lobes
Occupital Lobe
Processes visual information
Visual Association Cortex
Helps identify and make sense of visual information
Parietal Lobe
Contains the somatosensory cortex, which processes information from skin receptors for touch, temperature, and position
Temporal Lobe
Contains the primary auditory cortex and the auditory association area to interpret language
Frontal Lobe
Performs all higher brain functions like planning, personality, memory, decision making, and language (connected to the limbic system)
Preservation
When someone keeps on repeating an action due to damage to the frontal lobe
Motor Cortex
Controls the body’s voluntary muscles
Association areas
areas devoted to making connections between sensory information and stored information
Broca’s area
Area in the left frontal lobe that allows for speech production
Broca’s aphasia
When someone has damage to their Broca’s area and can no longer pronounce words correctly
Wernicke’s area
Area in the left temporal lobe responsible for understanding words
Wernicke’s aphasia
When someone has damage to their Wernicke’s area and can speak fluently but their words don’t make sense
Left Hemisphere
Specializes in language, speech, handwriting, calculation, rhythm, and analysis
Right Hemisphere
Specializes in global processing, spatial perception, pattern recognition, and expression (but not speech!)
Santiago Ramón y Cajal
First to theorize that the nervous system was made of individual cells
Acetylchohine (ACh)
Neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscles
Dopamine (DA)
Neurotransmitter in the brain
Seretonin (5-HT)
Neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, anxiety, and appetite
Glutamate
The nervous system’s main excitatory neurotransmitter, responsible for learning and memory
Gamma-aminobutryric acid (GABA)
The nervous system’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for calming anxiety
Agonist
Mimics a neurotransmitter’s shape to enhance it’s signal
Antagonist
Fill a neurotransmitter’s site without sending the transmitter’s signal, blocking it
Neuropeptides
Can serve as neurotransmitters, hormones, or as agonists/antagonists to neurotransmitters
Endorphins
A type of neuropeptide
SSRIs
Blocks the reuptake of serotonin so there’s more in the synapse
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Comprised of the brain and spinal chord
Afferent (sensory) neurons
Carries messages from the senses to the spinal chord
Efferent (motor) neurons
Carries messages from the spinal chord to muscles/glands
Interneurons
Connect afferent neurons to efferent neurons
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
All of the nerves not contained in the brain/spinal chord
Somatic Nervous System
Nerves that control voluntary muscles
Sensory pathway
All of the nerves carrying messages to the CNS
Motor pathway
All of the nerves carrying messages to the skeletal muscles from the CNS
Autonomic Nervous System
Neurons inside the spinal column responsible for involuntary muscles
Sympathetic division
Deals with stressful events
Parasympathetic division
Returns the body to “normal” after stress and controls functions in daily situations
Endocrine glands
Send hormones throughout the body
Pituitary gland
Main endocrine gland, secretes oxytocin for reproduction, vasopressin for water levels, and growth hormone
Pineal gland
Important for biological rhythms, secretes melatonin for sleep cycles
Thyroid gland
Secretes thyroxin, which regulates metabolism
Pancreas
Controls blood sugar through insulin and glucagon
Gonads
Includes ovaries and testes which regulate sexual behavior
Adrenal glands
Made up of the medulla, which secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine, and the cortex which produces steroids like cortisol
