Exam 1 Flashcards
What is psychology? How has the definition changed over time?
“science of mental life” was the first definition “science of observable behavior” was the second definition “the science of mental processes and behavior” is the current definition
Who is the father of psychology in the U.S.?
William James (1842-1910)
What is functionalism? How does it differ from structuralism?
Functionalism - How do mental and behavioral processes enable us to function or adapt. It differs from structuralism because functionalism is more structured
What is introspection? What were the problems with this method?
Introspection- what do you feel? Problems: People could make up how they felt and it didnt have any evidence behind it
What is the hindsight bias and why does it occur?
Tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one could have foreseen it We are all amateur psychologists Knowing the ending can change our memory for what we thought we knew The overconfidence bias operates regularly We are more confident than correct
What are the three components of a scientific attitude?
Curisoity, skepticism, and humility
What is critical thinking and why do we need it?
Critical Thinker - Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions So we dont just follow what someone says without seeking evidence to back it up
Describe the scientific method. What is a theory? Hypothesis?
Observe – theorize – hypothesize – accept or refine theory Theory: a fact-based framework for describing a phenomenon Hypothesis: a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables
What is naturalistic observation? What are the steps of naturalistic observation? What are its pros and cons?
Studying human/animal behavior in a natural setting without any interference. Steps: 1. Pick location 2. Who to observe 3. Define coding scheme 4. Data collection 5. Examine data Pros: Good for describing Good for learning about things that have not yet been researched Cons: Cannot study unobservable phenomena Cannot study rare behavior Lack of control
What a case study? What are its pros and cons?
Taking a detailed study of a singles indv, event, or group Pros: Good for rare events/people (serial killers) Detailed knowledge of a behavior Cons: Cannot determine causality (lack of control) Unreliable
What are surveys? What are its pros and cons?
used to gather information about individuals Pros: Examines many people Representative samlpe Cons: Way questions are asked can skew results
What is random assignment and why is it important?
Key to an experiment; each participant has an equal change of being assigned to the experimental and control conditions
What is random sampling? When would you use it?
Representative sample in which population of interest is approximate
What is a correlation? Be able to identify positive and negative correlations. When will we have perfect correlations? What are weaknesses of the correlational method?
Systematically measuring (Describing) the relationship between two variables Weakness: Correlation does not equal causation and Spurious relationships
Experimental method and associated terminology (control group, experimental group, independent variable, dependent variable)
Experimental – manipulation of one or more variables to observe the effect on behavior or mental processes using random assignment to control for relevant factors
Control Group
does not receive the “treatment” or alternative version of independent variable
Independant Variable
is the characteristic of a psychology experiment that is manipulated or changed.
Dependent Variable
the measured variable (e.g., level of aggression)
What are the pros and cons of the experimental method?
Pros Control for extraneous variables Allows one to determine cause and effect Cons Can be difficult to conduct Can be borderline unethical May not reflect what happens in the “real world”
Franz Gall and phrenology; what is phrenology? how did Gall take an empirical approach? Was he right?
First to take a scientific approach to psychology Thought the skull was a mirror image of the brain Stemmed from childhood experiences Cranioscopy (phrenology) – Science of examining the bumps on the skull to learn about the brain No
Three types of neurons and their ‘jobs’
Sensory neurons – Carries sensory input to the brain Motor neurons – Carries message from brain to muscles Interneurons- internal communication system (Middle men)
How do interneurons differ from sensory and motor neurons?
Interneurons use the Simple spinal reflex which involves one sensory and motor neuron; happens in spinal cord
How do neurons transmit information? What is an action potential? When will an action potential occur (hint: what is the threshold)?
Through neurotransmitters Action potential An electrical signal that travels down the axon Will occur when a neuron receives more excitatory signals than inhibitory signals (Threshold)
What is a neurotransmitter? How do neurotransmitters influence us? How are they transmitted?
Neurotransmitter- chemical messengers that crosses synaptic gap or synapse (tiny space between neurons; not always believed to exist)
Peripheral nervous system (be able to define the divisions)
Contains the Autonomic (Auto pilot)(controls self-regulated action of internal organs and glands) and the Skeletal (controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles) The Autonomic Nervous System has two divisions as well: Sympathetic (arousing) and Parasympathetic (calming)
