final Flashcards
what is the chemical messenger released from the neuron
neurotransmitter
What part of the brain makes up the lower part of the brainstem and comprises of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata
Hindbrain
What part of the brain is the topmost part of the brainstem, and is the connection central between the brain and spinal chord
Midbrain
what part of the brain is anterior and includes the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalumus
Forebrain
What part of the brain is primarily associated with emotional processes?
amygdala
What part of the brain relays messages between midbrain and the cerebral cortex
Thalamus
What are the largest lobes in the brain and important for voluntary movements, expressive language, and for managing higher level executive functions
Frontal Lobes
What results from the fertilization of a single egg by a single sperm, and then splits in two?
Monzygotic twins
What is the branch of psychology that studies the mental adaptations of humans of a changing environment; differences in behavior, cognition, and brain structure?
Evolutionary psychology
What is the minimum amount of stimulation required for a stimulus to be detected?
Absolute Threshold
What is the minimum amount of change it takes for a stimulus to be detected?
Difference Threshold
or
Just Noticeable Difference (JND)
photoreceptor cell in retina that is sensitive to light levels; also concentrated in the outer areas of the retina and give us peripheral vision
Cones
photoreceptor cell in retina that gives us color vision and help us see in fine details; also concentrated in the center of our retina
Rods
any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions
endorphins
the space between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers.
Zone of Proximal Development
a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired: a response which is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
classical conditioning
the initial stage of learning or developing of a skill, habit, or quality.
acquisition
recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.
discrimination
When the association goes away
extinction
applying the association to more than just the conditioned stimulus
generalization
refers to the process of rewarding or reinforcing desirable behavior in order to increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future; adding something.
Positive reinforcement
involves adding an aversive stimulus after an unwanted behavior to discourage a person from repeating the behavior
positive punishment
occurs when something unpleasant or uncomfortable is removed or taken away in order to increase the likelihood of the desired behavior.
negative reinforcement
removal of a reinforcing stimulus following a behavior in order to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.
Negative reinforcement
what term describes the gender that an individual feels that they are?
gender identity
what is social learning theory?
we learn by observing and imitating others. we are taught what it means to be a boy or a girl sometimes using operant conditioning.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
sex is assigned at birth and is determined by genetic code. Gender is a cultural social construct that an individual expresses.
describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative.
were really good with short terms stress, but NOT with long-term stress
General Adaptation Syndrome
overvaluing the dispositional attribution and undervaluing the situational attribution
fundamental attribution error
a large part of our self-concept is based on our membership in certain social groups (and our perceptions of people who aren’t in those groups).
Social Identity theory
generalized beliefs about a group of people
stereotype
refers to our belief that the world is fair, and consequently, that the moral standings of our actions will determine our outcomes
just world phemonenon
social psychological theory that states that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim in presence of other people
bystander effect
beliefs that confirm themselves by influencing the other country to react in ways that seem to justify those beliefs
self-fulfilling prophecy
Haunting memories, nightmares, hyper vigilance, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, social withdrawal, anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia that lingers for 4+ weeks after traumatic event
post-traumatic stress disorder
“split” “mind”
delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression
positive symptoms
negative symptoms
disturbance presists for atleast 6 months
schizophrenia
disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others
- limited capacity for empathy
- disregard for what is considered “right” and “wrong”
- disregard for/violation of the rights of others
- childhood diagnosis of conduct disorder
symptoms:
-lower levels of emotional intelligence
- impulsive behavior
- low levels of fear
- chronic deceitfulness
- difficulty maintaining a job
- low arousal in response to threats
antisocial personality disorder
conditions with onset during developmental (usually early development) period
intellectual disability
communication disorders
autism spectrum disorder
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
motor disorders
specific learning disorder
neurodevelopmental disorder
- social communication deficits
- nonverbal communication deficits
- deficits in social reciprocity
- deficits in having/understanding relationships
- restrictive/repetitive patterns
- stereotypes motor movements, use of objects, or speech
- insistence on sameness, difficulty changing from a routine
-highly restricted fixated interests
-hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory stimuli
- present in early development
autism spectrum disorder
inattention: 6+ symptom/s for younger than 16, 5+ for 17+
- often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
- often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities
- often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- often does not fllow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (loses focus, side-tracked)
-often has trouble organizing tasks and activities
- often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time
- often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones)
- is often easily distracted
- is often forgetful in daily activities
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- primariy inattentive type
hyperactivity or impulsivity
- often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
- often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
-often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless)
- often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly
- is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
- often talks excessively
- often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
- often has trouble waiting their turn
- often interrupts or intrudes on others (butts into conversation or games)
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- primariy hyperactivity type
Why are hormones slower than neurotransmitters?
because they are transmitted through the blood
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
Frontal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe
temporal lobe
Why are twin studies useful?
Foundational way of understanding genetics in terms of psychology. We can compare how genes and the environment impact someone’s behavior. Genes are not always active but can be influenced by environment as genes and experience can interact.
the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult. frontal lobe maturation lags behind emotional limbic system.
Adolescence
How did Pavlov’s original experiment demonstrate classical conditioning?
Eventually the dogs associated the bell with the meat powder and salivated at the sound of the bell. Their body were conditioned to start salivating without meat stimulus.
What is the source, receptor, and key brain areas associated with the touch sensory system.
Source: Pressure/temperature/harmful chemicals
Receptor: receptors mostly in the skin which can detect pressure warmth cold and pain
key brain: somatosensory cortex
What is the source, receptor, and key brain areas associated with the taste sensory system
Source: chemical molecules in the mouth
Receptor: basic taste receptors for sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami
key brain: frontal/temporal lobe border
What is the source, receptor, and key brain areas associated with the smell sensory system
Source: chemical molecules breathed in through nose
Receptor: millions of receptors at top of nasal cavities
key brain: Olfactory bulb (bypasses thalamus)
What do nonbinary cultural examples teach us?
there are many cultures that acknowledge more than two genders (ancient egypt, philippines, indigenous north america)
How can we be gender-affirming?
Using Pronouns (asking, offering, apologizing, helping)
Beware of Common micro-aggressions (“real” man/woman)(“…for a trans person”)(“what’s your ‘real’ name”)
mindful about outdated terminology (“transgendered”, “transvestite”, “transsexual”)
4 D’s of psychopathology
Dysfunction
Danger
Distress
Deviance
participants was tasked with shocking another person for an incorrect answer with increased voltage until a “lethal” shock was initiated. An “authoritative figure” pushed the participants to continue despite inner conflict.
Milgram’s obedience study
one person was put with a group that consistently gave wrong answers to see if the participant would conform with the group or independently answer with the correct answer.
Asch’s conformity Study
defense mechanism that “ensures that what is unacceptable to the conscious mind, and would if recalled arouse anxiety, is prevented from entering it
repression
what three factors compose prejudice?
negative emotions
stereotypes
discrimination
How did Atkinson & Shiffrin’s Model change our thinking about memory?
showed the process of sensory memory > short-term memory > long term memory
What is the difference between stress and trauma?
Dysfunction
Danger
Distress
Deviance
What four things make us more likely to be attracted to someone?
Proximity
Attractiveness
similarity
people who like us
What things have been shown to be important to long lasting relationships
equity
self-disclosure
positive support (5/1 interaction)
commitment
our characteristic pattern of thinking feeling and acting
personality
Utilizes the NEO-PI-3
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
big five
Personality is largely determined by _______.
genetics
the assumption that psychopathology is the result of one’s biology
medical model
Dissasociative disorders are almost always a result of
trauma
What are eating dsorders really about?
control and controlling the environment
all psychotherapeutic techniques are equally effective in the end. Everybody wins, essentially. A therapist with skill and a close rapport between therapist and patient are just two of the fundamental principles shared by different psychotherapeutic techniques.
Dodo-Bird Verdict
the standards that direct the conduct of its professional members
Ethical Principles
refers to the collaborative relationship between a healthcare professional and a client or patient
therapeutic alliance
Pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors addressed through cognitive-behavioral therapy.
therapeutic orientation
refer to characteristics that are shared across all psychotherapy approaches and are thought to contribute to the beneficial effects of all competently implemented psychotherapeutic interventions
common factors
psychodynamic
humanistic (person-centered therapy)
insight-based therapy
therapy to change behaviors
-develop new/better behaviors
behavioral therapy
What are the APA ethical principles?
Beneficence & Nonmaleficence, Fidelity & Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, and Respect for People’s Rights & Dignity.
Is therapy effective?
yes
What makes people change in therapy?
As the therapist listens, empathizes, and accepts the client’s experience and internal feelings, clients also increasingly listen to and accept their own experiences, even ones that previously felt scary, overwhelming, or shameful.
What is common to all psychotherapies?
client centered
Why do people have a therapeutic orientation?
a certain framework works for them
What training does a psychiatrist need?
Medical degree +
4 years of training +
2 board exams
Is a life coach a state-regulated mental health professional?
no
when a client bring a concern, you have to be nonjudgemental and assume positivity no matter the basis of the concern.
Unconditional positive regard
What type of therapy is about changing thoughts and behaviors?
Cognitive behavioral therapy
