Exam 1 Flashcards
Subjective
your personal interpretation of the world around you
Objective
free of bias, thoughts, or feelings about the information
Psychology
the scientific study of mental activity and behavior depending on the processing of the brain
empiricism
conducting psychological research using an objective, evidence based approach
Developmental Domain of Psychology
how do you change over the course of your life?
Culture
shared beliefs, values, rules, and customs that exist within a group
IRB
institutional review board
Institutional Review Board
ensures that proposed research is ETHICAL
Theory
set of interconnected ideas that psychologists used to explain prior research findings and make predictions about the future
Case Study
extensive study of just one person or a few people
Independent Variable
variable that the experimenter manipulates to examine its impact on the dependent variable
Dependent Variable
affected by the manipulation of the independent variable
Neurons
the basic building blocks of the nervous system
Neurotransmitters
chemical substances that carry signals from one neuron to another
Excitatory Signals
increase the likelihood that a neuron will fire an action potential
Agonist
increases the action of the neurotransmitter
Antagonist
decreases the action of the neurotransmitter
Cerebellum
coordinated movement and balance
Materialism
the brain and mind are inseparable. the activity of neurons in the brain is what produces consciousness0- the mind tells the body what to do
The Global Workspace Model
no single area of the brain is responsible for general awareness
Inattentional Blindness
a failure to be aware of visual information when one’s attention is directed elsewhere
Subliminal Perception
the processing of information by sensory systems without a person’s conscious awareness
Beta Waves
present when a person is awake and alert
Restorative Theory
sleep allows the body and brain to rest and repair itself. This is the body’s way of healing.
Stimulant Drug
increases both mental and physical activity
Depressant
decreases both mental and physical activity
