Final Exam Flashcards
7 Perspectives
Neuroscience
How the nervous system enables emotions, memories, sensory experiences, and behaviors
Focuses on the brain and nervous system
Definition
Neuron
The basic function unit of the nervous system
7 Perspectives
Evolutionary
How the natural selection of traits has promoted the survival of genes
evolution by natural selection of successful ancestors’ geneology
7 Perspectives
Behavior Genetics
How much our genes and our environment influence our behaviors
contributions of genes vs environment to psychological phenomena
7 Perspectives
Psychodynamic
How behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts
importance of unconscious mental processes
7 Perspectives
Behavioral
How we learn (acquire) observable behaviors
focus on learned, observable behavior
7 Perspectives
Cognitive
How our minds encode, process, store, and retrieve information
Information processing of the conscious mind
7 Perspectives
Social-Cultural
How behavior and thinking vary across social situations and cultures
focus on social & cultural influences
Level of Analysis
Biological
Physical factors inside the person
Level of Analysis
Psychological
The mind of the person
Level of Analysis
Socio-Cultural
Person responding to others
Level of Analysis
Biological Influences
- genetic predispositions
- genetic mutations
- natural selection of adaptive physiology and behaviors
- genes responding to the environment
Level of Analysis
Socio-Cultural Influences
- presence of others
- cultural, societal, and family expectations
- peer and other group influences
- compelling models (such as the media)
Level of Analysis
Psychological Influences
- learned fears and other learned expectations
- emotional responses
- cognitive processing and perceptual interpretations
Research Methods
What is a Correlation?
Positive & negative correlations among variables,
for example, age and personal characteristics
(physical or psychological)
Research Methods
What does “r” mean?
a value from 0 to 1 indicating the strength of a correlation
Research Methods
What is a positive/direct correlation?
Age and Height
r = +.90
Research Methods
What is a negative/inverse correlation?
Age and Sleep
r = -.70
Research Methods
What is a correlation study?
Determination whether there is a “correlation”
(either + or -) between the two variables.
Research Methods
Correlation vs Causation
Correlation between two factors does not automatically conclude causation. There may be a reason one variable is positively or negativey affecting another, but that doesn’t mean one caused the other.
A proper experiment needs to be run to determine true causation and, in come cases, may be time consuming, expensive, and unethical.
Research Methods
What would an experiment look like?
“Manipulate” an IV (“independent variable”), measure corresponding changes in the DV (“dependent variable”, while holding constant (“controlling”) other factors (mother’s handling, etc.).
Perception
What are the learned factors that influence depth?
Apparent Size vs Actual Size
Linear Perspective
Ariel Perspective
Interposition
Convergence of Eyes
Accomodation of Lens
Retinal Disperity (Stereopsis)
*Distant objects obstructed by ones closer
Perception
What are perceptual constancies?
Size, Shape, Color, and Brightness
Perception (Clarified)
Convergence of Eyes
Binocular Cue
Both eyes turn inward toward near objects
Muscle tension changes as you get cross-eyed