Exam 1 Flashcards
what is a booger?
pickles
- tell what a good theory does
produces testable hypotheses
falsifiable means
able to be proved wrong
example of a falsifiable hypothesis
It Will snow tonight
example of a not falsifiable hypothesis
It may or may not snow tonight
3 main research methods
Description, Correlation, Experimentation
what is a case study
it is based on one specific individual; not replicable in lab. EX Child kept in basement.
what is a naturalistic observation
Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations w/o trying to manipulate the control.EX Watching Chimpanzees adjust to the life in captivity.
tell why case studies don’t allow us to test broad, general principles
Case studies are based on one person’s personal evaluation.
describe wording effects and tell which type of research is most vulnerable to them
Wording effects are way to rephrase wordings in order to make them more appeasing. Two phrases that mean the same thing just worded differently. Description Research; Surveys
define random sample
Random sample- fairly represents a pop because each has and an equal chance of inclusion
define sampling bias
not representative of population. EX only ppl from psych majors
explain what a correlation coefficient tells about two variables
how strongly related they are
explain what the sign (+ or -) means in a correlation coefficient
It says whether it is a positive or negative correlation
give an example of a positive correlation
the more you study the better grades you receive
EX of negative correlation
The more candy you eat the worse off your teeth will be
give the range of values that a correlation coefficient can have
Range: +1.00- -1.00
ell whether .35 or -.40 indicates a stronger relationship between two variables
; -40 has the stronger correlation because its absolute value is larger
give an example of a correctional study
The people who watch violence on TV will be more aggressive
why is it that correlation does not imply causation
It only permits prediction because there could also another factor
EX Experiment
2 groups are given a test, one group gets 10 min the other get 15 min
independent variable
the factor that is being manipulated
dependent variable
the factor that is being measured
describe the purpose of a control group
contrasts with experimental group; Comparison
explain what function is served by random assignment
researchers are able to control for cofounding variables, which are other factors besides the independent variable(s) that may influence research results.
identify the independent variable, the dependent variable: the breast-feeding experiment
IV: Breast milk DV:Test scores
identify the independent variable, the dependent variable the Viagra experiment
pill vs placebo; whether it worked
identify the independent variable, the dependent variable the study of name-ethnicity effects among landlords
last name; positive response
tell what features of graphs or bar charts you should pay particular attention to in order to interpret them accurately
The range and the scale label
tell which measure of central tendency is most likely to be misleading when a distribution of numbers is skewed or lopsided;
mean
tell which measure of variation uses information from each score
mean, standard deviation
three principles are most important when determining whether an observed difference is reliable
Representative samples are better than biased samples. Less-variable observations are more reliable than those that are more variable. More cases are better than fewer
statistical significance
be able to apply simple statistical principles to everyday reasoning
tell whether statistically significant results also always have practical significance
how likely its obtained through chance
psychiatrists
MD can Prescribe meds
psychologists
assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavior disorders
define and give an example of applied research
study that aims to solve practical problems; , select and train employees, boost morale and productivity, design products, and implement systems
define and give an example of basic research
builds knowledge base; links between brain and mind
state whether applied research is more important than basic research
NO basic research is more important
describe the type of final degree that most psychologists have and tell approximately how many years it takes to get this degree after completing the bachelor’s
PHD 4-6 years
describe what additional training and other qualifications a clinical psychologist must have
Clinical training
tell when and by whom the first psychology laboratory was founded
William Wundt 1879
describe the goal of Wundt’s psychological studies
to understand human consciousness by isolating its basic building blocks
name and describe the method Wundt used to accomplish his goals, and describe one major problem with this method
introspection- person experiences a stimulus and describes the experience in term of specific sensation; Not replicable
name the founder of the behavioral approach, and explain why he rejected the study of consciousness in psychology
John B. Watson 1913; behavior can be observed and quantified, consciousness cannot be
describe what Watson thought should be the focus of psychological study
mental processes
describe what key element was not studied by the behaviorists
mental proceses
define psychology
Study of behavior and mental process
tell what psychology’s historic big issue is.
nature vs nurture
What is contemporary psychology’s position on this issue?
sees traits and behaviors
describe the basic focus of each of the following approaches and give an example of how a psychologist using that approach would explain why some people develop phobias while others do not:neuroscience
brain; genes ; predisposition
describe the basic focus of each of the following approaches and give an example of how a psychologist using that approach would explain why some people develop phobias while others do not:behavioral
focus on environmental determinants; external stimuli trigger fear
describe the basic focus of each of the following approaches and give an example of how a psychologist using that approach would explain why some people develop phobias while others do not:cognitive
focus on mental processes; learned, emotional
define the testing effect
enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply reading, information
tell why testing yourself is part of successful learning
actively process, better with exercise
list and define the steps in the SQ3R method of studying
Survey; survey titles headings, bird’s eye view, Question; try to answer LO’s before reading, Read; actively read and think critically, take notes, don’t tire, Retrieve; retrieve main ideas, Review; go over notes and glance over module
tell whether it is better to study for an exam in numerous short sessions or one big cramming session, according to Myers
numerous short sessions; better retention
tell whether, during lectures, it is better to write down what your professors say or just concentrate on listening
WRITE DOWN THE MAIN IDEAS AND SUB-IDEAS.
describe over learning and tell whether it is a good idea
getting as much information about the subject as possible, good idea
give an example of hindsight bias
I knew that was going to happen!
give an example of Overconfidence
I don’t need to study I know it all
give an example of the tendency to perceive patterns in random events
these could be related
describe the three main components of the scientific attitude
curiosity does it work? and skepticism Now I will try it but also humility—an awareness of our own vulnerability to error and an openness to surprises and new perspectives
describe the characteristics of critical thinking
asking questions examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
tell whether it is often the case that findings from laboratory studies have “real-world” relevance, and why
Psychological science focuses less on particular behaviors than on seeking general principles that help explain many behaviors.
tell whether (a) specific attitudes and behaviors, and (b) underlying processes vary by gender and across cultures
Even when specific attitudes and behaviors vary by gender or across cultures, as they often do, the underlying processes are much the same.
tell how humans are protected in experiments
1) obtain potential participants’ informed consent, protect them from harm and discomfort, keep information about individual participants confidential.fully debrief people (explain the research afterward)
explain why it’s important to study biology in psychology
because knowing what is going on in the nervous system helps us explain behavior/mental processes we see
tell whether Plato or Aristotle first determined that the mind comes from the head (brain), rather than from the heart
Plato
explain what important brain phenomenon was highlighted by phrenology, despite the fact that phrenology itself was ultimately discredited
studying bumps on the skull, could reveal a person’s mental abilities and character traits.different parts of the brain are used for different things
receptors
where neurotransmitters are taken in A SPECIALIZED CELL THAT RESPONDS TO A PARTICULAR KIND OF ENERGY,
sensory neurons
carry messages from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors inward to the brain and spinal cord for processing
interneurons
Between the sensory input and motor output, information is processed in the brain’s internal communication system
motor neurons
carry instructions from the central nervous system out to the body
neuron structures in order to form neural pathway
Dendrites-axon-axon terminal-synaptic gap
dendrites
a neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
cell body
cell’s life support
axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands,
myelin sheath
a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next
terminal buttons
forms junctions with other cells
synaptic gap
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
explain whether communication within a neuron or between neurons is faster, and why
Within because you don’t have to go through synaptic gaps
neuron at resting potential (where are potasium ions, sodium ions. and what charge does it have)
potassium:inside; sodium-outside; negative charge
neuron firing (where are potasium ions, sodium ions. and what charge does it have)
potasium inside; sodium-outside, neutral then positive
explain what the refractory period is and when it occurs; describe what the sodium pump does
it is when the cell is resetting itself; after firing; sodium gets pumped outside
describe the all-or-none law of neural firing and explain the concept of a threshold
The neuron must get enough excitatory signals to fire, they must reach a certain level or it will not fire (cant halfway fire a gun). A threshold is the point where enough excitatory signals set off the neuron
tell what endorphins are and what they do
a hormone that give energy and help with pain control
agonists
neurotransmitter that is similar enough to a hormone that it can mimic it.
antagonists
will decrease the production of a hormone
chart of the nervous system’s organization
Nervous system- central and periphereal; central- brain and spinal cord; periphereal- autonomic (self-regulated)-somatic(voluntary movements); autonomic-sympathetic-parasympathetic
the 2 main structures of the central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
tell what the somatic (or skeletal) division of the peripheral nervous system does
it controls the voluntary muscle movements
name the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system and describe their opposing functions
sympathetic- arousing parasympathetic-calming
list 4 ways scientists can read your braain
EEG, MRI, PET, fMRI
EEG
reads brain waves
MRI
strong magnet disorients atoms then align, signals produce soft tissue images
PET
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
fMRI
same as MRI but watches how blood flows to each area when given a certain task
medulla
breathing swallowing circulation, part of brain stem
thalamus
- memory emotions motivation
reticular formation
arousal attention
cerebellum
balance voluntary movement
amygdala
fear aggression
hypothalamus 4F’s
feeding fighting fleeing sex
hippocampus
memory, making memories
parts of limbic system
amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, pituitary gland
hormones
chemical messengers
endocrine system
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
adrenal glands
secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepi-nephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
pituitary gland
regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
explain why the cerebral cortex of a human is so wrinkled, compared to that of lower mammals
it has more surface area because we can function more
frontal lobes
, involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
parietal lobes
receives sensory input for touch and body position
occipital lobes
areas that receive information from the visual fields
temporal lobes
includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
motor cortex,
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
sensory cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
association cortex
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Broca’s area
located in left frontal lobe directs muscle movements involved in speech
Wernicke’s area
located in left temporal lobe involved in language comprhension,
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.
describe what happens when Broca’s area is damaged. What is this problem called?
able to understand but not speak Expressive aphasia
describe what happens when Wernicke’s area is damaged. What is this problem called?
able to speak but not understand speech Receptive aphasia
explain what functions are commonly associated with left hemisphere
speaks, calulates
explain what functions are commonly associated with right hemisphere
perceptual- making inferences, modulate speech for clarity, orchestrate sense of self
describe plasticity
the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
explain how the split-brain operation has helped us determine the functions of the left and right hemispheres
When showed the word HE!ART they said the word was art, but pointed to he with his left hand (right brain)
