Exam 1 Flashcards
Psychology
Scientific study of human and animal behavior and mental processes
Experimental Psychologists
Research
Clinical Psychologists
Evaluate and treat psychological disorders
Counseling Psychologists
Less severe issues using therapeutic solutions
School Psychologists
Improve curriculum and testing
Industrial Psychologists
Human Resource and cooperation between workers
Psychiatry
Branch of medicine concerned with psychological disturbances
Wilhem Wundt
Founder of Psychology, found the first laboratory
Who found the first laboratory?
Wilhem Wundt
G. Stanley Hall
Brought psychology to America
Edward Tichener
Structuralism and Method of Introspection
Structuralism
Analyze consciousness into basic tenants and how they relate
Method of Introspection
Self-Observation of one’s own conscious
William James
Functionalism and applied natural selection to human consciousness
Functionalism
Psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness rather than its structure
Sigmund Freud
Unconscious human behavior (Dreams, slip of tongue)
Behavior is influenced by how people cope with sexual urges
Behaviorism
Scientific Psychology should only observe behavior. Only physical and observable states, not feelings or internal states
John B. Watson
Founder of Behaviorism. Downplayed heredity, behavior is governed by environment
B.F. Skinner
Fundamental Principle. Free will is an illusion. People are controlled by environment. Determinism.
Fundamental Principle
Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes, vice versa.
Ex. Pigeons and ping pong
Humanism
Emphasizes unique qualities of human and personal worth. Humans are rational and will fulfill potential if given opportunities.
Carl Rogers
Person-centered therapy (behavior is governed by one’s sense of self)
Adam Maslow
Hierarchy of Needs
Cognition
Refers to mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge (Memory, language, problem solving, etc.)
Cognitive Neuroscience
Physiological brain states directly correlate with mental states
Goals of Scientific Enterprise
- Measurement and description
- Understanding and prediction (Hypothesis)
- Application and control
Hypothesis vs. Theory
Hypothesis- Tentative statement about relationship between two or more variables
Theory- System of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations (must be testable)
Steps in Scientific Investigation
- Formulate testable hypothesis
- Select Research Method and Design study
- Collect Data
- Analyze Data, Draw Conclusions
- Report findings
Positivism vs. Empiricism
Positivism- “Truth exists and we can know it”
Empiricism- Approach to understanding the world that involves collecting data or making observations
Four ways to gain knowledge
- Intuition
- Logic
- Authority
- Observation
Experiment
Research method in which the researcher
- controls the conditions
- manipulates variable
- observes whether changes occur in another variable
Independent vs Dependent
Independent- condition or event that varies in order to see its impact on another variable
-is changed to affect dependent
Dependent- variable that is thought to be affected by manipulation of the IV (data that researcher collects)
-is tested and measured
Experimental vs Control Group
Experimental- receives “special” treatment
Control- doesn’t receive treatment
Extraneous Variable
Any variables other than Independent Variable that seems to likely influence Dependent Variable
ex. gender, age, athleticism
Random Assignment
Controls extraneous variables. All subjects have equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition.
Expectancy/Placebo Effect
Change in outcome due t subject’s expectancy to change should happen
Ex. Sugar Pills vs. Advil
Double-Blind Study
Neither experimenter nor participant is aware of the group to which participant is assigned
What are non-experimental methods?
Surveys and correlational studies
Surveys
Questionnaires or interviews that gather info about peoples’ attitudes, beliefs, or behavior
Correlational studies
Measure two naturally-occurring things & see if they are related
Confounding variables
When two variables are linked that makes it difficult to sort events
Positive vs Negative Correlation
Positive- 2 variables vary systematically in same direction
ex. MORE coffee drank, MORE talkative I become
Negative- one variable goes in one direction, the other variable goes in another direction
ex. MORE you work, LESS time you’ll have
Directionality Problem
When two variables appear to be linked in one direction, but not the other.
Eating Donuts > Happiness
Happiness > Eating donuts?
Third-Variable Position
When two variables appear to be linked, but a third variable is hidden within.
Ex. Hair length and weight (stress/sleep/etc could be third variable)
Social Desirability
Tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself
Naturalistic Observation
Researcher engages in careful observation of behavior without intervening directly with subjects
Case Study
In-depth investigation of a specific subject
Biological Psychology
Study of connection between biology and behavior
Structure of Neuron
- Dendrite (receives info)
- Soma (Contains nucleus)
- Axon (Transmits info from soma to other neurons)
- Myelin Sheath (Insulates axons)
- Terminal Buttons- (Secretes neurotransmitters)
- Synapse (space in between neurons where info is carried)
Four types of Neurons
Sensory Neuron
Motor Neuron
Interneuron
Mirror Neuron
Sensory Neuron
Carries messages from sensory organs to brain
Motor Neuron
Carries messages to muscles
Interneurons
Carries messages from one neuron to another
Mirror Neurons
Brain mirrors movement it sees. Empathy.
Glia
GLUE. Supports Neurons
Process of Neural Communication
- Resting Potential
- Movement of ions across cell membrane
- Action Potential
- Absolute Refractory Period
Resting Potential vs. Action Potential
Resting- Neuron is stable, negative, inactive
Action- shift of neuron’s electrical charge that travels along axon
Absolute Refractory Period
Minimum length of time after action potential (Another action potential cannot begin)
All-Or-None Law
Like firing a gun. You cannot half-fire a gun, same with axon and charge.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit info from one neuron to another
Postsynaptic potential
PSP. Voltage change at receptor site on postsynaptic cell membrane.
Inhibitory vs. Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential
Inhibitory- Negative voltage shift that decreases likelihood that action potential will be fired
Excitatory- positive voltage that increases likelihood that action potential will be fired
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Voluntary movement, attention, memory (Alzheimer’s)
Serotonin
Sleep, mood, hunger (OCD)
Dopamine
Voluntary movement and PLEASURABLE emotions (Schizophrenia)
Norepinephrine
Mood and arousal (ADHD)
Oxytocin
Love Hormone
Endorphins
Pleasure, pain relief, response to stress. (Resembles opiate drugs)
Antagonist
Chemicals that BLOCK action of neutransmitter
Agonist
Chemcials that MIMIC neurotransmitter
Reuptake Inhibitors
Chemcials that BIND to terminal buttons and prevent reuptake, causing excess of neurotransmitter
Front Lobe
Reasoning, thinking, problem solving, speech, smell
Temporal Lobe
Processes auditory info, organizes verbal material
Occipital Lobe
Processes visual information
Parietal Lobe
Processes somatosensory information
Broca’s Area and Broca’s Aphasia
Frontal Lobe.
Area- where speech production is
Aphasia- Problems with producing speech (Mute)
Wernicke’s Area and Wernicke’s Aphasia
Temporal Lobe.
Area- where language comprehension is
Aphasia- Problems with comprehending speech (Jumbled speech/stutter)
Cerebellum
Back of head. Coordination, equilibrium, balance, posture
Parts of Limbic System
Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Hippocampus, Amygdala
Thalamus
All senses except smell
Hypothalamus
regulates bodily needs like hunger, thirst, sex, sleep
Amygdala
Linked to emotion (fear and aggression)
Psychophysics
Study of how physical stimuli are translated into psychological experience
Sensation vs Perception
Sensation-
Stimulation of sense organs
Physiological
Occurs when light rays are collected
Perception-
Sensation, organization and INTERPRETATION
Psychological
Parts of Eye
CPILR (C pillar)
Cornea, Pupil
Iris, Lens, Retina
Cornea
Covers pupil
Pupil
Light enters rear chamber of eye
Iris
Colored ring surrounding pupil
Lens
Transparent eye structure that focuses light rays falling onto retina
Retina
Neural Tissue lining inside back surface of eye
- Sends info to brain
- Flips image
Optic Disk
Hole in retina where optic nerve fibers exit eye
BLIND SPOT
Optic Chiasm
Point at which optic nerve fibers from each eye cross over to opposite sides of brain
Rods vs Cones
Rods- Night vision, dark adaptation
Cones- Day vision, color.
Cones=Color
Trichromatic Theory
Three types of cones (RED, GREEN, BLUE) make combination of colors and light.
(like a TV)
Monochromats vs Dichromats
Mono- Complete colorblindness
Di- People can see a mixture of colors
Opponent Process Theory
Color Perception makes antagonistic responses
Red vs Green
Yellow vs Blue
Black vs White
After-image
Visual image that persists after stimulus is removed
Synesthesia
Neurological condition which leads to unusual sensory experiences
- Tasting Colors
- Hearing sounds with visual images
Ex. Like the game Synthesia
Bottom-up vs Top-Down
Bottom-Up- Progression from individual elements to whole
Ex. Seeing C A T, then processing the word CAT
Top-Down- Progression from whole to elements (like an assumption)
Ex. Seeing CHT and our brains perceive CAT
Sensory Adaptation
Gradual decline in sensitivity to prolonged stimulation
Ex. Smelling a perfume for the first time vs smelling it for an hour
Inattentional Blindness
Failure to see objects or events because one’s attention is focused elsewhere
Ex. Asking for direction video
Subtractive vs Additive color mixing
Subtractive- removing wavelengths of light and leaving less light than before
Ex. Mixing yellow and blue > green
Additive- superimposing lights, putting in more light
Ex. Red and Green on White
Psychology vs Psychiatry
Psychology- Scientific study of human/animal behavior and mental processes
Psychiatry- Branch of medicine concerned with psychological disturbances (They also have medical degrees)
Strengths and weaknesses of empirical approach
Strength- Good at answering PRACTICAL questions
Weaknesses- Bad at answering MEANING-BASED questions
Operational Variable
Describes actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable
Experimenter Bias
When a researcher’s expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence results
How do our brains process visual info?
Wavelength (Color) and Amplitude (Brightness)
Phi Phenomenon
Illusion of movement by presenting visual stimuli in rapid succession
Ex. Circle that looks like its rotating
Depth Perception
Involves interpretation of visual cues that indicate how near or far away objects are
Social Psychology
Branch of Psychology that deals with social interactions (people’s thoughts, behaviors, feelings based on society)
Positive Psychology
Scientific study of strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive
