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PSYC 102 > Exam 01 > Flashcards

Exam 01 Flashcards

1
Q

Biological Psychology

A

The specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily process and systems

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2
Q

Neuroscience

A

he scientific study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

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3
Q

Neuron

A

A cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell.

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4
Q

Sensory (afferent Neuron)

A

Sends information to the brain from receptor cells in internal organs and sense organs.
E.G from the skin to the brain

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5
Q

Motor efferent Neurons

A

Signals muscles to move

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6
Q

Interneuron

A

Communicates information from one neuron to another

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7
Q

Cell Body

A

Contains structures that manufacture protein and process nutrients
Contains the nucleus. (holds genetic material)

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8
Q

Dendrites

A

Receives messages from other neurons or specialized cells

Amount of information received increases when they are more branches

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9
Q

Axon:

A

Carries information from the neuron to other cells in the body.
-Branches near the end of tip allows communication

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10
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A white fatty covering that is wrapped around the axons of some, but not all neurons
Help insulate one axon from the axon of other neurons

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11
Q

Terminal Branches

A

Branches at the end of the axon

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12
Q

Flow of information

A

Dendrites- Cell body- Axon

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13
Q

Action potential

A

Movement of electrical impulse across the membrane of a nerve cell
Allows for communication between neurons
-preceded by movement of electricity charged particle ions in and out of the cell

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14
Q

Stimulus threshold

A

The minimum level of stimulation required to produce an action potential

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15
Q

Resting potential

A

state in which a neuron is prepared to produce an action potential if it receives significant stimulations; -70mv

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16
Q

Communication Inside the Neuron:(Electrical Charge Involves)

A

An electrical impulse is creates, which is necessary for neural communication
After action potential, neuron enters the refractory period

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17
Q

Self-sustaining

A

Action potential is self sustaining and continues to the end of the axon; no such thing as partial action potential. (it will occur through the whole neuron.)

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18
Q

All-or-none law

A

Either the neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs, or the neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does not occur.

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19
Q

Neural impulse

A

Brief electrical charge that travels down the axon.

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20
Q

Threshold

A

Level of stimulation required to trigger neural impulse (-50mv)

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21
Q

Depolarization

A

Cell becomes more positive

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22
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

It becomes more negative (-)

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23
Q

Synapse

A

A communication point between two neurons separated by the synaptic gap

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24
Q

Presynaptic

A

Sending

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25
Q

Postsynaptic neuron

A

receiving

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26
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

The entire process of transmitting information at the synapse

after neurotransmitters are attached to receptor sites of the postsynaptic neuron

  • they detach from the receptor
  • are reabsorbed and recycled (reuptake) or destroyed by enzymes to be used again.
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27
Q

Neurotransmitter and Receptor Site Shapes

A

each neurotransmitter has a chemically distant shape

-Specific neurotransmitters are associated with certain psychological processes

Like a key in a lock: A neurotransmitter must perfectly fit the receptor site on the receiving neuron for its message to be communicated.

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28
Q

How drugs affect Synaptic Transmission

A

Many drugs work by interfering with the normal functioning of neurotransmitters in the synapse

Increases or decreases amount of neurotransmitters released by neurons

Blocking or reducing time of reuptake (antagonist)

Mimicking Specific neurotransmitters (agonist)

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29
Q

Glial Cells

A

supports cells assisting neurons

  • provide structural support, nutrition, removal of cell wastes
  • manufacture myelin sheath, wrapped around axons of some neurons, increasing their communication speed
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30
Q

Nervous System

A

Primary communication network of the body

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31
Q

Central Nervous system

A

Brain and spinal cord

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32
Q

Peripheral Nervous system

A

Peripheral Nervous system

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33
Q

Central Nervous System

A

The central to all behavior and mental processes

The CNS is protected by meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the spinal cords and fills ventricles in the brain

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34
Q

Neural stem cells

A

Line the inner surface of the ventricles that generate neurons in the developing brain.

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35
Q

Sensory receptors

A

Send messages along sensory nerves and then up to the brain

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36
Q

Interneurons

A

Relay information within the spinal cord

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37
Q

Motor Neurons

A

The muscles to react

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38
Q

Spinal Reflexes

A

simple, automatic behaviors processed in the spinal cord

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39
Q

Two kinds of Peripheral Nervous system

A

Somatic Nervous System

Autonomic nervous system

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40
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Communicates sensory information to CNS and motor information to CNS and motor information from CNS to muscles

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41
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

regulates fight for flight (Sympathetic, parasympathetic)

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42
Q

Endocrine System

A

Made up of glands that are located throughout the body and uses hormones to send information

Communication in the endocrine system slower than communication in the nervous system

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43
Q

Hormones

A

Regulate blood pressure, metabolism and reproduction
Influences emotional and stress response
Can be chemically identical to neurotransmitters
Trigger by the hypothalamus and circulated by blood

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44
Q

Contents in the Hypothalamus

A

Growth Hormone

Prolactin

Oxytocin

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45
Q

Growth Hormone

A

Stimulates normal skeletal growth during childhood

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46
Q

Prolactin

A

Stimulates milk production in persing mothers

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47
Q

Oxytocin

A

Hormone involved in reproduction, social motivation and social behavior

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48
Q

Endocrine System Contents

A

Adrenal Glands
Adrenal Medulla
Gonads (sex hormones)

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49
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

Produce hormones involved in human stress response

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50
Q

Adrenal Medulla

A

involved in fight or flight

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51
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The ability to change function and structure

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52
Q

Functional Plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas

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53
Q

Structural Plasticity

A

Structural Plasticity

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54
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The development of new neurons

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55
Q

Two brain regions

A

Olfactory bulb and hippocampus

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56
Q

Brainstem

A

A region of the brain made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain

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57
Q

Hindbrain

A

A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions

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58
Q

Hindbrain

A

-Medulla: controls vital life functions such as breathing
Pons: helps coordinate movements on each side of the body
Cerebellum: Responsible for muscle coordination and maintaining posture and equilibrium.
Reticular Information:a very diverse structure that contains various nuclei along with numerous ascending and descending tracts

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59
Q

Sensory information

A

Comes in from one side of the body over the hindbrain level and projects to the opposite side of the body

60
Q

Outgoing motor messages

A

Cross over the hindbrain and control movements and other mortar function on that side of the brain

61
Q

The midbrain

A

An important relay station

- contains centers involved in the processing of auditory and visual sensory information
- the information is subsequently related to sensory processing centers in the forebrain region
62
Q

Substantia Nigra

A
  • Motor control and contains dopamine producing neurons

- prepares other brain regions initiate organized actions or movements

63
Q

Forebrain

A

: Largest and most complex brain region

  • Contains centers for complex behaviors and mental processes; also called the cerebrum
  • Has increased in size and complexity during evolution
64
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

Connects the two hemispheres

65
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

The wrinkled outer portion of the forebrain
Contains most sophisticated brain structures
Composed mainly of glial cells and neuron cell bodies
Gray matter/ white matter
Divided into two cerebral hemispheres

66
Q

Temporal Lobe

A

This receives auditory information

67
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Primary visual cortex, receives visual information

68
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Somatosensory cortex, processing bodily or somatosensory information

69
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Primary motor cortex, planning, initiating and executing voluntary movements

70
Q

Phrenology

A

There are different forms and sizes of skulls and brains

71
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Located on the lower frontal lobe

-involved in the production of speech

72
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Found in the temporal lobe, important in the comprehension of written or spoken language

73
Q

Aphasia

A

Difficulty in language, Cased by Damage in left hemisphere

74
Q

Damage to Broce’s Area (lower left):

A

Have a hard time pronouncing words. They can still understand and write.

75
Q

Damage to Wernicke’s Area

A

Patients are able to speak, but have difficulty comprehending written or spoken communication

Patient autopsies revealed left temporal lobe damaged

76
Q

Specialty of left Hemisphere

A

specialized for language abilities, speech, reading and writing

77
Q

Specialty of right Hemisphere

A

specialized for visual-spatial tasks and nonverbal communication

78
Q

Cortical Localization

A

different functions are located ot localized, in different areas of the brain

79
Q

Lateralized of function

A

specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain

80
Q

Limbic System

A

Involved in emotion, motivation, learning memory consists of:
Hypothalamus
Amygdala

81
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Regulates behavior related to survival
Regulates both division of the autonomic nervous system
Suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates sleep

82
Q

Amygdala

A

roughly almond-shaped mass of gray matter inside each cerebral hemisphere, involved with the experiencing of emotions.

83
Q

Limbic system

A

Involved in emotion, motivation, learning and memory, consists of:
Hippocampus
Thalamus:

84
Q

Encoding

A

Transforming info into a form that can enter and be stored by the memory system

85
Q

Storage

A

keeping info in memory so that it can be used later

86
Q

Retrieval

A

Recovering stored information so that it can be used

87
Q

Three stages of model of memory

A

Sensory memory
short-term memory
long term memory

88
Q

Sensory Memory

A

Takes in a large amount of information from the environment for a very brief period of time.

- Function: Briefly store information related to the senses so that it overlaps slightly with one another
- Tiny snapshots - Used to perceive the world as a continuous whole
89
Q

Short- term memory

A

Temporarily hold all information that you are currently thinking about
Provides temporary storage for information transferred from sensory and long-term memory
Duration: Approximately 20 seconds
Can be kept for longer through maintenance rehearsal (mental or verbal repetition of information)

Information loss may be due to decay or interference from new or competing information

90
Q

Long term memory

A

Long-term storage of information, potentially for a lifetime
Stores information for a long period of time
Once encoded, an unlimited amount of information can be stored in long-term memory, which has different memory systems
Duration: longer than 20 seconds
-Has longer storage capacity
-Involves quick retrieval with little effort

91
Q

Visual Sensory memory

A

Also known as iconic memory
Brief memory of an image, or icon
Duration: ¼-½ second

92
Q

Auditory

A

Also known as Econic memory
Brief memory of a sound that is like an echo
Duration ~ 3-4 seconds

93
Q

Capacity

A

The magical number seven plus or minus two

Our short term memory can hold anywhere between 5 to 9 pieces of information at a time

94
Q

Working memory

A

refers to active, conscious manipulation of information

-Reasoning, problem solving, mental comparison

95
Q

Short term Memory

A

used for simpler tasks (ie, mental rehearsal)

96
Q

Encoding

A

changing new information into a form that can be retrieved later

97
Q

Strategies for memorizing

A

Elaborative rehearsal
Self-reference effect
Visual imagery

98
Q

Elaborative rehearsal

A

Focusing on the meaning of information

99
Q

Self-reference effect

A

Applying information to self

100
Q

Visual imagery

A

Using vivid images to enhance encoding

101
Q

Procedural memory

A

how to perform different skills, operations, and actions

102
Q

Episodic memory

A

Memory of specific events or episodes

103
Q

Autobiographical memory

A

memory of life events

104
Q

Semantic memory

A

general knowledge

105
Q

Explicit/declarative memory

A

is memory with awareness.

-information or knowledge that can be consciously recollected

106
Q

Episodic information

A

information about events or “episodes”

107
Q

Semantic information

A

information about facts, general knowledge, school work

108
Q

Implicit/ nondeclarative memory

A

is memory without awareness.
Information or knowledge that affects behaviot or task performance but cannot be consciously recalled
Motor skills, actions

109
Q

Clustering

A

Related items are put together to form categories

110
Q

Sematic Network Model

A

Items that are more similar to each other have stronger associations in memory

111
Q

Retrieval

A

process of accessing and retrieving stored information in long-term memory.

112
Q

retrieval cue

A

clue or prompt that can help trigger recall of a stored memory

113
Q

Retrieval cue failure

A

occurs when there is an inability to recall long-term memories because of inadequate or missing retrieval cues

114
Q

Common Retrieval Failures

A

tip of the tonged experiences

115
Q

Cued recall

A

remembering an item of information in response to a retrieval cue

116
Q

Recognition

A

identifying correct information from a series of possible choices

117
Q

Recall

A

Retrieving memories without cues; also termed free recall

118
Q

Series position effect

A

tendency to remember items at the beginning and end of a list better than items in the middle

119
Q

two parts to the serial positions

A

Primacy effect the tendency to recall the first items in a list
Recency effect the tendency to recall the final items in a list

120
Q

Contest effects

A

Tendency to remember information more easily when retrieval occurs in the same setting in which you originally learned the information

121
Q

Mood congruence

A

Factors related to mood or emotion

122
Q

Flashbulb Memories

A

emotionally charged memories. Not necessarily more accurate

123
Q

Ebbinghaus, what did he discover

A
  • Studied forgetting by using nonsense syllables
    • Much of what we forget is lost soon after learning
    • How quickly we forget material depends on how well the material was encoded, how meaningful the material was, and how often it was rehearsed.
124
Q

Encoding Failure

A

One of the most common reasons for forgetting occurs when information is not encoded initially into long-term memory

125
Q

Decay Theory

A

-When new memory is formed, it creates a distinct structural or chemical change in the brain (memory trace). These memory traces fade away over time as a matter of normal brain processes.

126
Q

Challenges to the decay theory

A
  • Some research has shown that information can be remembered decades later
    • Ebbinghaus thought the rate of forgetting decreases over time
127
Q

Interference Theory

A

One memory competes with or replaces another memory

128
Q

Two types of retroactive interference

A

Retroactive interference: NEW information interferes with remembering OLD information

Proactive interference: OLD memory interferes with remembering NEW information

129
Q

Motivated forgetting

A

occurs when an undesired memory is held back from awareness

130
Q

Suppression

A

Conscious forgetting

131
Q

Repression

A

Unconscious forgetting (Freudian)

132
Q

Deja vu

A

brief but intense feeling of remembering a scene or event that is actually being experienced the first time

133
Q

Misinformation effect

A

Post-event can change eyewitness recollection of an original event

134
Q

Source confusion

A

The true source of memory can be forgotten

-A memory can be attributed from the wrong source

135
Q

Schemas

A

Organized clusters of knowledge and information about particular topics

136
Q

Scripts

A

Schemas that involve typical sequences of actions and behaviors at a common event.

137
Q

False memory

A

a distorted recollection of something that did not actually occur

False memories are created for actions that would have been consistent with a script.

138
Q

Imagination inflation

A

Repeatedly imagining an event causing a person to believe it actually happened.

139
Q

Karl S. Lashley (1890-1958)

A

Searched for the engram, or a biological basis of memory. Concluded that memories are distributed, or stored, throughout the brain. Was incorrect

140
Q

Richard F. Thompson (1930-2014)

A

Memory for simple classically conditioned responses located in specific brain regions (cerebellum)

141
Q

Memory trace

A

involves changes in the functioning and structure of neurons

142
Q

Memory consolidation

A

he gradual physical process of converting new long-term memories to stable, enduring memory codes.

143
Q

Amnesia

A

severe memory loss

144
Q

Retrograde amnesia

A

loss of memory caused by inability to remember past episodic information (backward-acting; common after head injury

145
Q

Anterograde amnesia

A

loss of memory caused by the inability to store new memories (forward-acting), related to hippocampus damage

146
Q

Dementia

A

progressive decline and impairment of memory, reasoning and other cognitive functions as the results as the result of disease, injury, or substance abuse

147
Q

Alzheimer’s disease

A

progressive disease that destroys the brain’s neurons, gradually impairn memory, thinking. Language and other cognitive functions

PSYC 102 (2 decks)

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