EXAM 1

Question 1

Functionalism

Answer 1

theoretical approach that focuses on understanding the purpose and function of mental processes and behavior in adapting to one’s environment.

Question 2

Structuralism

Answer 2

a way of studying the mind by breaking down thoughts and sensations into their fundamental parts.

Question 3

Gestalt psychology

Answer 3

focuses on how we perceive and make sense of the world by looking at patterns and wholes, rather than isolated elements

Question 4

Reductionist methods

Answer 4

involves breaking down complex psychological phenomena into simpler components or processes to better understand and explain them.

Question 5

scientist-practitioner model

Answer 5

practitioners use scientific research and evidence-based practices to inform and improve their therapeutic interventions.

Question 6

scholar-practitioner model

Answer 6

individuals combine academic knowledge and practical experience to excel in their roles.

Question 7

Spacial resolution

Answer 7

refers to the level of detail or clarity in the physical space. It’s like the number of pixels in a photo—the more pixels, the clearer the image

Question 8

Temporal resolution

Answer 8

It’s about how quickly you can capture changes or movements

ability to capture and represent changes or events over time with high precision.

Tells you how long it has been happening

Question 9

EEG

Answer 9

electrodes on scalp that picks up electrical activity in brain
poor spacial resolution
high temporal resolution

Question 10

Event-related potential (ERP)

Answer 10

Like an EEG but related to an event (a task, making a decision, reading a word)

EEG and ERP looks at how brain responds not the person

Question 11

Brain computer interface

Answer 11

brains puts out electrical signals that can be interpreted from a computer

Everytime you think about a word/movement your brain creates the same electrical pattern

Question 12

Positions emission tomography (PET scan)

Answer 12

shows how organs and tissues are functioning by measuring their metabolic activity using a radioactive tracer.

Good spatial resolution, okay temporal

Get an injection of radioactive glucose (sugar), has you look at different events and track where energy or sugar is being consumed in the brain

Question 13

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 13

Studies brain anatomy
Main tool used for an x-ray
detailed images of the inside of the body
Structural

Question 14

Functoinal MRI (FMRI)

Answer 14

Studies brain function
Looks at changes in blood flow and oxygen changes during different tasks and emotions
Positive spatial resolution, negative temporal resolution

Question 15

Lesions studies

Answer 15

examining the effects of specific damage or injuries (lesions) in the brain or nervous system

help in linking certain brain regions to specific abilities or behaviors

Experimental vs. “experiments of nature”

Question 16

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (new lesion studies)

Answer 16

uses magnetic pulses to temporarily Interrupt electrical current in the brain

Only method that is an independent variable
Using it to do something in the brain and then looking at the output
Can be used for things like depression or OCD

Question 17

Genotype

Answer 17

full set of all genes

Question 18

Phenotype

Answer 18

appearance
Interaction based

Question 19

Polygenic inheritance

Answer 19

a group of gene pairs acts together to produce a trait

Question 20

Epigenetics

Answer 20

genes that could be distorted because of environmental factors

diet, stress, smoking while pregnant

Question 21

Multiplier effect

Answer 21

amplification of an initial stimulus, such as social influence or a small change in behavior, resulting in a larger and more widespread impact on an individual’s thoughts, emotions, or actions

small changes in society or environment
Mood, temper tantrums
Genes– small increase in some activity becomes magnified
Taking a small advantage and wiring a skill

Question 22

Old genetics

Answer 22

Rare conditions
Extra, damaged, or missing chromosomes
Down syndrome

Question 23

New genetics

Answer 23

Not diseases, normals traits
May also change society
G. stratification
G. engineering
Cloning

Question 24

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 24

evolution of behavior and the brain

Natural selection— traits associated with reproduction and survival

Mating behavior is studied heavily

Criticism of evolutionary explanations–
Untestable in a traditional way

Question 25

Behavioral genetics

Answer 25

elative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Question 26

Brain architecture

Answer 26

bottom up sequence

Higher capacities are difficult to develop without solid development of lower-level capabilities

so lower-level capabilities must develop first

Question 27

frontal lobes

Answer 27

Not fully developed until mid 20s

decision making, problem solving, planning, emotional regulation

Question 28

Temporal lobes

Answer 28

Memory, links to limbic reward system
Rewards us for doing things that are pro social and keeps us alive
Eating, sleeping
Matures around ages 18-19

Question 29

Striatum

Answer 29

Very active in adolescence
Hard-wired to seek immediate rewards, without mature PFC to control impulses
These two things may lead to risky behavior, but the striatum is also involved in learning from rewards

Question 30

Finding reward

Answer 30

James olds and Peter Milner
Electrodes in 15 male rats
Gave the idea that reward is something that happens in the brain
Today reward centers are conceptualized as reward pathways

Question 31

The role of reward

Answer 31

Homeostatic mechanism
Maintains body
Set points– if you’re DNA with thermostat says you function best at — pounds, your set point will try its best to maintain that

Question 32

Pathway 1

Answer 32

high order
Mesocrotical– connects the mesencephalon with the cortex (frontal lobes)
Helps you make decisions, think about consequences
Ex– getting dopamine rush from crossing things off a to-do list

Question 33

Pathway 2

Answer 33

lower order
Mesolimbic– connects mesencephalon with the limbic system (emotions)
Ex– rainy weather making you feel less productive

Question 34

sexual strategies theory

Answer 34

males and females tend to have different approaches to mating and reproduction because of their biological and reproductive differences. These strategies may include things like mate selection criteria, the pursuit of short-term versus long-term relationships, and the allocation of resources to offspring.

Question 35

error management theory

Answer 35

suggests that in situations where making a mistake could have serious consequences (such as in mating and survival decisions), humans tend to make errors that are more cautious or less costly in the long run. This means that individuals may be more inclined to make certain types of errors that protect them from potential dangers or increase their chances of reproductive success.

Question 36

intersexual competition

Answer 36

occurs when members of one sex compete with each other to be chosen by members of the opposite sex as mating partners. This competition can involve the development of elaborate physical characteristics, displays, or behaviors that are attractive to potential mates.

Question 37

intersexual selection

Answer 37

involves individuals of one sex being selective about their choice of a mate from individuals of the other sex. This selectivity can lead to the evolution of certain traits or behaviors in the chosen sex, as those with the preferred characteristics are more likely to successfully reproduce.

These traits are often associated with the fitness, health, or quality of potential mates.