CHAPTER 1 STUDY GUIDE Flashcards
Define psychology-
the scientific study of mental activity and behavior (how we think &
act), which are based on brain processes.
define Empiricism
an evidence-based approach to gaining knowledge by conducting research that
systematically investigates and measures phenomena of interest.
What is critical thinking and the three steps to help you think more critically about psychological
information?
STEP 1:IS THE SOURCE OF THE CLAIM BELIEVEABLE?- DETERMIN WHO IS PROVIDING THE INFORMATION.
STEP 2: IS THERE STRONG EVIDENCE FOR THE CLAIM?
STEP 3: DO OTHER BELIEVABLE SOURCES AGREE ABOUT THE CLAIM?
What is critical thinking
YOU SYSTEMATICALLY EVALUATE INFORMATION TO REACH CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT IS PRESENTED
What was Wilhelm Wundt’s contribution to psychology?
He established the first experimental psychology laboratory in Germany in 1879
What are the 5 domains of modern psychology?
Biological- the connection between your brain, body, thoughts, feelings, & actions
Cognitive- how mental activities affect thoughts, feelings, & actions
Developmental- from birth to old age, how our thoughts, feelings, & actions change
Social & personality- how thoughts, feelings, & actions are impacted by social & personal
factors
Mental & physical health- what affects mental & physical health & how to develop healthy BEHAVIORS
what is Diversity
any difference between people that becomes apparent in a specific context.
what is Culture-
the beliefs, values, rules, and customs that exist within a group of people who share a
common language and environment, which are transmitted through learning from one
generation to the next
What was the significance of Mary Whiton Calkins & Francis Cecil Sumner?
Mary Whiton Calkins- 1
st female to earn doctoral credits at Harvard University but was denied
degree because of her sex. She became the 1st woman president of the American
Psychological Association (APA) in 1905
Francis Cecil Sumner- 1
st Black man in the United States to earn a doctorate degree in
psychology in 1920. He was the founded of the Department of Psychology at Howard
University
What is the purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
Consisting of administrators, legal advisers, trained scholars, and members of the community,
the IRB ensures that research follows for four ethical principles
List the 4 ethical principles that must be followed pertaining to research
Privacy
Confidentiality
Informed consent
Protection from harm
Define scientific method and list the 5 steps.
Scientific method- this is used to reduce bias and error by providing 5 steps that allow
systematic observation and measurement of phenomena to reach one or more scientific
goals.
- Formulate a theory- select a research topic based on interest to build on current
theories/existing studies - Develop a testable hypothesis- an educated guess or predicted outcome of the study
- Test the research method- use methods and/or designs to get results
- Analyze data- draw conclusions based on results, and show if hypothesis is supported or not
- Share the report results and conduct more research- publish results and give other
researchers a chance to replicate or copy the study
List the three descriptive methods and define
Observational studies- observe participants in their natural environment/habitat
Case study- use one person or a small group of people in the study
Self-reports- surveys or interviews provided to participants
What is the difference between correlational and experimental designs?
Correlational- shows the relationship between variables, strong positive (+1) or strong
negative (-1)
Experimental- shows the cause and the effect between variables, Independent Variable &
Dependent Variable
Independent Variable- the cause of what you are measuring, manipulation/control
(changed)
Dependent Variable- the effect or outcome of what you are measuring
What is the purpose of random assignment and how would you tie this into the research study?
An unbiased procedure used to place participants in selected groups- flipping a coin
What are mind-altering substances that change the brain’s neurochemistry by activating
neurotransmitter systems?
Psychoactive Drugs
What is the difference between physical dependence and psychological dependence?
Physical- “body” crave
Psychological- “mind or mental” crave
. Drug tolerance=
a physical effect of addiction that occurs when a person needs to take larger
doses of a drug to experience its effect.
Withdrawal=
a physical and psychological effect of addiction that occurs when a person
experiences anxiety, tension, nausea, and cravings after discontinuing use of an addictive
drug.
List and define the 4 drug categories.
Stimulants “uppers”
Depressants “downers”
Opiates/Opioids “pleasure drug”
Hallucinogens “psychotic drug”
List the drugs associated as stimulants.
Nicotine (cigarettes), Cocaine (snorted or smoked & was once the active ingredient in CocaCola), Methamphetamines (Meth, 2nd most commonly used drug)
What was John Pemberton’s significance?
Georgia pharmacist that added cocaine to Coca-Cola in 1886, but it was outlawed & removed
from the drink in 1906
List the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine (Meth).
Cocaine- more alert, energy, & restless & may lead to paranoia, psychotic behavior, and
violence
Meth- stays in the body longer & over time damages brain structures (frontal lobes), affecting
memory & emotion
What source estimated that around 4% of the U.S. population has tried Meth?
The National Institute of Drug Abuse
List the drugs associated as hallucinogens.
LSD (made from ergot & known as a “trip”), Psilocybin mushrooms,
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA (Ecstasy & Molly are street names for MDMA),
Marijuana (most widely used drug, associated with stimulant, depressant, & hallucinogenic
categories, & includes THC)
What are the two most commonly used drugs with hallucinogenic effects?
MDMA (ecstasy or Molly) & Marijuana
This drug is easily categorized as a stimulant, depressant, or a hallucinogen.
Marijuana
List the drugs associated as opiates/opioids
Heroin/Morphine (increase pleasure-highly addictive), Codeine & Vicodin
. List the drugs associated as depressants.
Benzodiazepines (sleeping pills) & Alcohol
This depressant is the most widely used and abused drug.
Alcohol
Define addiction/substance use disorder
compulsive drug craving and use
List the common symptoms of withdrawal
Anxiety, tension, nausea, & cravings (mental/body)
How do most people become addicted or develop substance use disorders?
Pleasure & desire
As a powerful reinforcer, any behavior that leads to increased dopamine activity is likely to be repeated
Use the topic given in class and apply to the Scientific Method
Are full-time college students more unfaithful in personal relationships?
1. Personal experience or notice several unfaithful relationships
2. Yes or No
3. Anonymous surveys will be used on 150 students
4. The hypothesis was/was not supported
5. Published study/Dr. Leslie conducted the same study
