Cumulative part of the Final Flashcards
Nature vs nurture
What is the product of environment and what is the product of genetics?
Current Perspectives of Psychology
Neuroscience, Evolutionary, Behavior Genetics (nature v nurture), Psychodynamic (Freud), Behavioral, Cognitive, and Social-cultural
Psychologist
Treats, assesses, and treats people, researches
Psychiatrist
medical emphasis
Hindsight Bias
Tendency to believe we would have seen the outcome
Critical Thinking
Examine, discern, evaluate, and assess info
Scientific method
Theory> hypothesis> testing> replication
Theory
Explanation that predicts behavior
Hypothesis
Testable prediction
Operational definition
Procedures used to define research variables
Replication
Repeating the study
Random sample
Everyone has an equal chance of being selected
Representative sample
Representative of the population
Case study
Study few individuals in great detail
Survey
More people with less detail
Wording effects
Need clear, unbiased wording
Naturalistic observation
Observing and recording info in a natural setting
Positive correlation
Both variables increase
Negative correlation
One variable increases while the other decreases
Illusory correlations
Believe there’s a relationship when there’s not
Experiment
Manipulate one variable and control for all others
Random assignment
Randomly assign people to groups
Independent variable
Variable that is manipulated
Dependent variable
Variable that is measured
Neuron
Nerve cell
Dendrite
Receive incoming info
Axon
Passes info on
Action potential
Electrical charge starting at dendrites and leaving through axon
Treshold
All or none
Synapse
Space between neurons
Vesicles
Release neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Chemical that cross synapses
Acetycholene
Go from motor neurons to muscle
Endorphins
Natural Pain killer
Epinephrine
Adrenaline
Norepinephrine
Noradrenaline
Nervous System
Brain and nerves
CNS
Brain and spinal cord
PNS
Rest of nervous system
Somatic Nervous System
Transmits sensory input and directs voluntary motor output
Autonomic Nervous System
Automatic things
Sympathetic Nervous System
Arouses body
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Calms body down
Sensory neurons
Bring in sensory info
Interneurons
In CNS, communicate internally
Motor Neurons
Relay instructions, cause reactions
Brainstem
Reticular formation, medulla, cerebellum, and thalamus
Medulla
Controls heart and breathing
Thalamus
Passes info from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex
Reticular Formation
Connects the spinal cord to the thalamus and controls arousal and sleep
Cerebellum
Base of the brain which controls voluntary motor movement and balance
Corpus Callosum
Connects hemispheres
Limbic System
Hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus
Amygdala
Controls agression and fear
Hypothalamus
Below thalamus, Regulates pituitary gland temperature, thirst, and pleasure
Cerebral Cortex
All lobes
Frontal Lobe
Front of brain, Planning, decision making, personality
Occipital Lobe
Base of brain, visual info
Temporal Lobe
Auditory info
Parietal Lobe
Association areas
Motor Cortex
Sends outgoing messages for motor movement
Sensory Cortex
Receives sensory input from body
Association Areas
Routes info to the correct parts of the brain
Brain Plasticity
Ability of brain to modify itself after damage
Split Brain
Cut corpus callosum
Behavior Genetics
Genetics and environment on behavior
Twin Studies
Study identical twins separated at birth
Evolutionary Psychology
Study evolution on psychology
Natural Selection
Superior traits passed on
Consciousness
Awareness of self and environment
Selective Attention
Attention focused on small part of incoming stimuli
Circadian Rhythm
Internal biologica clock
Sleep Stages
Awake, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, REM
Sleep cycles
10/90 minutes of sleep is REM
Insomnia
Recurring problems falling and staying asleep
Narcolepsy
Bizarre periodic lapses directly into REM
Sleep apnea
Stop breathing while sleeping momentarily
Night terrors
Immense terror during sleep, no plot, no memory
Manifest content
Story line
Latent content
Underlying meaning
Hypnosis
Induced temporary state of heightened suggestibility
Dissociation
Split consciousness
Drug Tolerance
Takes more of drug to get desired effect
Physical Dependence
Physiological need for the drug; pain and cravings
Psychological Dependence
Need the drug to feel a certain way
Addiction
When someone physically needs the drug
Withdrawal
Discomfort and distress experienced when someone stops taking a drug
Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs that affect the Nervous System
Depressants
Slow system down; Alcohol, barbiturates, Opiates
Stimulants
Excite system; meth, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstacy
Hallucinogens
Perception without stimulation; Marijuana and LSD
Alcohol
Slows reactions, lowers inhibitions, makes sleepy
Barbiturates
Tranquilizer, impairs memory
Opiates
Opium, morphine, heroin, painkillers, OD stop breathing, addictive
Meth
Triggers dopamine release
Caffeine
Increases energy, widely used, tolerance and withdrawal
Nicotine
Addictive, tolerance, releases epinephrine, endorphins, and norepinephrine, energy boost, makes alert and calm
Cocaine
Blocks re-uptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, euphoric rush, crash, aggression, crack is more intense
Ecstacy (MDMA)
Hallucinogen and stimulant, blocks re-uptake of serotonin, 3-4 hr high, increase in feelings of intimacy, permanently damages serotonin production, permanent memory damage
Marijuana
Amplifies sensations, not physically addictive, but psychologically, interferes with memory formation, stays in system for a week
LSD
Blocks serotonin, expectations influence experience, shapes to out of body experience, low oxygen intake
Stage 1 Sleep
Drowsing off
Stage 2 Sleep
Small bursts of brain activity; spindles
Stage 3 Sleep
Deep sleep; sleep walking, bed wetting
REM
Actively dreaming, body paralyzed
Developmental Psychology
Studies change through the lifespan
Prenatal Development
Vulnerable to teratogens, embryo to fetus etc
Maturation
Orderly sequence of biological growth
Critical period
Optimal period when exposure produces normal development
Cognition
Thinking, knowing and remembering
Assimilation
Putting new experiences into existing schemas
Piagets’ stages
Stages of Abstract thinking
Egocentrism
Inability to see things from others’ POV
Object Permanence
Realize objects don’t cease to exist when removed from sight
Conservation
Objects retain same volume in different containers
Attachment
Emotional tie with another, important to children
Imprinting
Animals form attachments during critical pd
Temperament
General disposition
Adolescence
Sexual maturity-Achievement of independent adult status
Puberty
Reaching sexual maturity
Morality Development
3 Stages of moral thinking
Social Clock
Cultural perception of the right age to do something
Intelligence
Ability to learn
Cognitive aging
Get older, worse cognition but more experience
Preconventional level
Self interest- avoid punishment and gain reward
Conventional level
Law and social cues- gain approval and follow rules
Post-conventional level
Affirm agreed upon rights and act on personal ethical principles
Trust v mistrust
0-1; basic trust
Autonomy v shame and doubt
1-3; do things for themselves or doubt abilities
Initiative v guilt
3-6; Initiate tasks or feel guilty about trying yo be independent
Competence v inferiority
6-puberty; apply self or feel inferior
ID v role confusion
teen-20s; Refine sense of self or become confused
Intimacy v isolation
20s-40s; Form relationships or get isolated
Generativity v stagnation
40s-60s; Contribution to world or lack purpose
Integrity v despair
60s+; Satisfaction or failure looking back on life
Gender
Social/cultural aspect of being male/female
Gender roles
Outward expression of gender based on cultural expectations
Gender ID
Personal sense of being male/female
Sexual orientation
Enduring sexual attraction towards members of a particular gender
Gender Typing
Child’s learning of his/her culture’s gender roles
Social Learning Theory
Children are reinforced for gender appropriate behavior
Cognitive Schemas
Concepts/ mental categories
Developmental Sequence
ID gender age 2; gender permanent age 4-7; Older we get the less we stereotype
Biological origens of sexual orientation
All biological, no evidence for environmental influences
Prenatal influence of sexual orientation
Certain hormones predispose attraction to men
Fraternal birth order effect
Men with older brothers are more likely to be homosexual
Evolutionary perspective on gender differences in sexuality
Women have limited fertility, more cautious with casual sex
Drive-reduction theory
Needs and desires combine with incentives to make a drive which directs behavior which makes homeostasis
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Some needs must be met before others
Hunger
Hypothalamus controls hunger, we have a set point that keeps us around the same weight
Obesity
Extreme body weight; 65% Americans are overweight
Weight Control
Fat cells do not go away, only shrink; genetic role; must be active, avoid externals, etc..
Ostracism
Social Exclusion
Achievement motivation
Desire for accomplishment/ maintaining high standards
Intrinsic motivation
Motivated internally, do it because you want to
Extrinsic motivation
Motivated externally, do it because you have to
James-Lange Theory
Physiological arousal important for emotion. Stimuli>arousal>emotion
Cannon-Bard Theory
Stimuli>arousal and emotion
Schacter and Singer Two-Factor Theory
Stimuli> arousal and label>emotion
Arousal and Lie Detection
Guilt causes arousal, but not accurate because other emotions also trigger arousal
Nonverbal Communication
Facial expressions are universal, but gestures are not
Facial Expression and empathy
Feel what others feel, mimicking facial expressions can trigger the emotions
Motivation
Need/want that energizes/directs behavior
Need
Physiological deprivation
Want/desire
Innate human tendency
Drive
Activated State
Homeostasis
Normal resting state
Incentives
External stimulator that can activate us
Process
Incentives trigger needs/wants
Fundamental Attribution error
Attribute our behavior to the situation but others’ behaviors to their personality
Attitudes
Affect and are affected by actions
Foot-in-the-door Phenomenon
Small favor helps people agree to larger request
Roles and Zimbardo’s Prison Study
Behaviors when you are in a role change your beliefs. Believe what you act out
Obedience and Milgram’s Study
Most people would shock someone to death to obey
Social Facilitation
Presence of others can improve performance in tasks you are good at
Social Loafing
Individuals put in less effort for group tasks
Deindividualization
No longer ID as an individual, just part of the crowd
Group Polarization
If everyone in the group thinks the same way, the thoughts are strengthened
Groupthink
Think it’s better for everyone to agree than for an individual to decide; can lead to harmonious but stupid decisions
Prejudice
Unjustifiable attitude towards a group and its members
Discrimination
Negative behavior based on prejudices
Ingroup vs Outgroup. Ingroup bias
Favor members of one’s own group
Just world Phenomenon
Idea that people get what they deserve
Aggression
Behavior intended to hurt and destroy
Frustration-Aggression Principle
More likely to aggress when frustrated
Attraction
Likelihood of developing a relationship
Mere-exposure effect
Familiarity breed fondness
Similarity
Opposites do not attract
Halo effect
Attractive people are more likely to be seen as the outside reflecting the inside and tend to be favored
Altruism
Unselfish regard for the welfare of others
Bystander effect
When others are present, feelings of responsibility are diminished
Learning
Relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience
Associative Learning
Learn to associate two events on right after the other
Classical Conditioning
Conditioned responses
Pavlov
Dogs and salivation
Unconditioned
Innate
Conditioned
Learned
Stimulus
Something in environment
Response
Behavior in presence of stimulus
Behaviorism
Focus on underlying principles that guide behavior
Extinction
Present CS w/o US a lot, CR will stop
Spontaneous recovery
After extinction, present CS after rest period, CR will return
Generalization
Weaker response to similar stimuli
Discrimination
Train to only respond to one stimulus, no generalization
Operant conditioning
Reinforcing behavior
Shaping
Reinforces gradual actions
Reinforcement
Event that increases behavior
Primary reinforcer
Need
Secondary reinforcer
Associated with primary reinforcer
Partial Reinforcement schedule
Reinforcer sometimes
Continuous Reinforcement schedule
Reinforcer every time
Interval Reinforcement schedule
Amount of time
Ratio Reinforcement schedule
Number of times
Fixed Reinforcement schedule
Same amounts
Variable Reinforcement schedule
Random amounts
Punishment
Decreases frequency of behavior
Cognitive map
Mental representation of the layout of one’s environment
Latent learning
Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive
Modelling
Learn by watching others
Recall
On the spot generation info
Recognition
ID correct info
Relearning
If you learned and forgot it, you learn it faster the second time
Encoding
Getting info in the memory system
Storage
Retaining info
Retrieval
Getting info back
Sensory memory
Pre-sensation, extremely brief
Short-term memory
Current consciousness
Long-term memory
Unlimited info storage
Working memory
Processing incoming short term memory and info from long term memory
Automatic Processing
Automatically processed, location, time, frequency
Effortful processing
Have to put in an effort
Implicit memory
Know that we know
Explicit memory
Perform action skillfully without being aware
Rehearsal
Repetition
Mnemonics
Study aide
Chunking
7+-2 chunks of info
Iconic memory
Momentary visual memory
Flashbulb memory
Triggered by emotion, perfectly clear
Echoic memory
Momentary auditory memory
Priming
When you ID a an associated idea that leads you to related info
Mood-congruent memory
Tendency to recall experiences that are congruent with one’s mood
Serial position effect
Remember things at the beginning and end better
Forgetting
Inability to recall info
Amnesia
Forgetting certain info
Proactive interference
Old blocks new
Retroactive interference
New blocks old
Memory construction
We construct some memories and cannot differentiate from what is real and fake
Improving memory
Practice, study in breaks, mnemonics, etc…
Prototype
Best example of a group
Algorithms
Step by step systematic approach
Heuristics
Cognitive short cuts
Insight
Sudden flash of inspiration
Confirmation bias
Look only for info that confirms what we believe
Fixation
Can’t stop looking at a problem in one way
Functional fixedness
Show lack of creativity about the function an object
Availability heuristic
Judgement based on availability of info in our memory
Overconfidence
Overestimating accuracy of current knowledge
Belief perseverance
Tendency to cling to our beliefs
Framing
Present same info in different ways
Components of creativity
Expertise, Imagination, Venturesome personality, intrinsic motivation, supportive environment
Language
Spoken, written, gestured way we communicate
Stages of language development
Babbling (4 months), 1 word (1 yr), 2 words, (2 yrs), Sentences
Aphasia
Impairment of language
Broca’s area
Controls language expression
Wernicke’s area
Controls language reception
Animal thinking/language
Communicate without grammar
Linguistic determinism
Language shapes how we think
Intelligence
Ability to learn, solve problems, and use knowledge
General intelligence
One underlying factor for intelligence
Gardner’s multiple intelligences
Language, logical/math, music, kinesthetic (Athlete), spacial reasoning, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist
Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Analytic, Creative, and practical
Standardization of intelligence tests
Test a large representation of group
Reliability of intelligence tests
Generally consistent scores across more than one administration
Validity of intelligence tests
Does it measure what it was meant to?
Genetic influences on intelligence
Related people score similarly
Environmental influences on intelligence
Education
Bias in intelligent testing
Cultural background