Final Chapters 1,2,3, Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
0
Q

Critical thinking

A

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Hindsight bias

A

The tendency to believe that after learning an outcome that one would have foreseen it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Theory

A

Am explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction often implied by a theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Operational definition

A

A statement of the operations used to define research variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Replication

A

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different in participants in different situations to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Case study

A

Observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hole of revealing universal principles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Survey

A

A technique for ascertaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Population

A

All cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Random sample

A

A sample that fairly represents a population because each members has and equal chance of inclusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Correlation

A

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and this how well either factor predicts the other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

A statistical index of the relationship between two things from -1 to +1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Scatter plots

A

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation. (Little scatter indicates high correlation.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Experiment

A

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Random assignment

A

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, this minimizing pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Double blind

A

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. (Drug evaluation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Placebo effect

A

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inherit substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Experimental group

A

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Control group

A

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to treatment.

Serves as comparison.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Independent variable

A

The experimental factor that is manipulated

Variable being studied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Dependent variable

A

The outcome factor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Mode

A

Most frequently occurring score in distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Mean

A

The arithmetic average of a distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Median

A

The middle score in a distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Range

A

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Standard deviation

A

A computes measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Normal curve

A

A symmetrical bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Statistical significance

A

A statistical statement of how likely or is that an obtained result occurred by chance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Culture

A

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from on generation to the next.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Biological psychology

A

A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Neuron

A

A nerve cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Motor neurons

A

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscle and glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons within the Brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Dendrite

A

Bushy branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Axon

A

Extensions of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Myelin sheath

A

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers if many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulse hope from one node to the next

38
Q

Action potential

A

A neural impulse

A electrical charge that travels down an axon

39
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

40
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon top of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

41
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse

42
Q

Reuptake

A

A Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

43
Q

Endorphins

A

“Morphine within”

Natural, opiatelike Neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

44
Q

Nervous system

A

The body’s speedy electrochemical communication network, consisting if all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

45
Q

Central nervous system

A

The brain and spinal cord

46
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

47
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axon that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs

48
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal nervous system

49
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs

Divided into parasympathetic and sympathetic

50
Q

Sympathetic

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing it’s energy I’m stressful situations

Accelerates heartbeat
Raise your blood pressure
Slows digestion 
Raises blood sugar 
Cools with perspiration
51
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body conserving it’s energy

52
Q

Reflex

A

A simple autonomic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee jerk response

53
Q

Endocrine system

A

The body’s slow chemical communication system

A set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

54
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travels through the bloodstream, and affect other tissue

55
Q

Adrenal glands

A

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress

56
Q

Pituitary gland

A

The endocrine systems most influential gland. Under the influence it the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth had controls other endocrine glands

57
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

58
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

An amplifier recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

59
Q

PET scan

A

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

60
Q

MRI

A

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue.

Shows brain anatomy

61
Q

Brainstem

A

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

62
Q

Medulla

A

The base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing

63
Q

Reticular formation

A

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

64
Q

Thalamus

A

The brains sensory switchboard, located on top if the brainstem. It directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

65
Q

Cerebellum

A

The little brain at the rear of the brainstem

Functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

66
Q

Limbic system

A

Neural system including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Located below the cerebral hemispheres associated with emotion and drives

67
Q

Amygdala

A

Two Lima bean sized neural clusters in the Limbic system linked to emotion

68
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A neural structure lying below the thalamus that directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp)
Helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward

69
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres

Body’s ultimate control and information processing center

70
Q

Glial cells

A

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

71
Q

Frontal lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead

Involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

72
Q

Parietal lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head towards the rear

Receives sensory input for touch and body position

73
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head

Includes areas that receive information from visual fields

74
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying above the ears at the back of the head

Includes auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

75
Q

Motor cortex

A

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

76
Q

Sensory cortex

A

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

77
Q

Association areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor it sensory functions

Involved in higher mental functioning such as learning, remembering, and thinking

78
Q

Plasticity

A

The brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

79
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons

80
Q

Corpus callosum

A

The later band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

81
Q

Split brain

A

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum

82
Q

Consciousness

A

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

83
Q

Cognitive neuroscience

A

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Includes perception, thinking, memory and language

84
Q

Dual processing

A

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

85
Q

Selective attention

A

The focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

86
Q

Inattentional blindness

A

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

87
Q

Change blindness

A

Failing to notice changes in environment

88
Q

Circadian rhythm

A

The biological clock

Regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24 hour cycle

89
Q

REM sleep

A

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur

Muscles relaxed but body systems may be active

90
Q

Alpha waves

A

The relatively slow brainwaves of a relaxed awake state

91
Q

Sleep

A

Periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness.

92
Q

Hallucinations

A

False sensory experiences such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

93
Q

Delta waves

A

The large slow brainwaves associated with deep sleep