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MCAT Psychology/Sociology > Interacting with the environment > Flashcards

Interacting with the environment Flashcards

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1
Q

Sensation

A

taking in information

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2
Q

Attention

A

filtering out information

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3
Q

Cognition

A

making complex decisions about info

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4
Q

Behavior

A

Reacting

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5
Q

Broadbent Filter Model of Selective Attention

A

Sensory buffer->Selective filter (Unattended message doesn’t pass through)->higher level processing->working memory

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6
Q

Cocktail party effect

A

Information of personal importance from previously unattended channels catches our attention

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7
Q

Treisman’s Attentuation Model

A

Same as Broadbent Filter Model, except takes into account cocktail party effect

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8
Q

Selective priming

A

people can be selectively primed to observe something, either by encountering it frequently or by having an expectation, and then become more likely to notice it when it occurs.

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9
Q

Divided attention

A

performing multiple tasks simultaneously

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10
Q

Resource Model of Attention

A

we have a limited pool of resources on which to draw when performing tasks

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11
Q

3 factors associated with performance on multi-tasking

A
  1. task similarity
  2. task difficulty
  3. task practice
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12
Q

Controlled tasks

A

require flexibility and drain more resources than ‘muscle memory’

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13
Q

Information processing models

A
  1. attention
  2. perception
  3. storage into memory
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14
Q

Working memory

A

strongly correlated with the prefrontal cortex
a storage bin to hold memories (short-term or long-term) that are needed at a particular moment in order to process info or solve a problem

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15
Q

Baddeley’s model of working memory

A
  1. phonological loop
  2. visuospatial sketchpad
  3. episodic buffer
  4. central executive
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16
Q

Jean Piaget

A

developmental psych in children

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17
Q

schemas

A

Piaget; mental frameworks that shape and are shaped by our experience

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18
Q

Piaget’s 4 developmental stages

A
  1. sensorimotor stage (0-2yrs)
  2. preoperational stage (2-7yrs)
  3. concrete operational stage (7-11yrs)
  4. formal operational stage(12+yrs)
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19
Q

Object permanence

A

understanding that things continue to exist when they’re out of sight

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20
Q

Conservation

A

idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape

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21
Q

Trial and error

A

problem solving technique

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22
Q

Algorithm

A

step by step procedure for problem solving

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23
Q

Heuristics

A

mental shortcuts for problem solving

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24
Q

insight

A

sudden flash of inspiration

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25
Q

Conformation bias

A

tendency to search only for info that confirms our preconceived thinking, rather than info that might not support it.

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26
Q

Fixation

A

an inability to see the problem from a fresh perspective

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27
Q

Mental set

A

a tendency to fixate on solutions that worked in the past though they may not apply to the current situation; may result in fixation.

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28
Q

Functional fixedness

A

tendency to perceive the functions of objects as fixed and unchanging; type of fixation

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29
Q

Representativeness heuristic

A

tendency to judge the likelihoods of an event occurring based on our typical mental representations of those events. Gambler’s fallacy falls into this.

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30
Q

Availability heuristic

A

tendency to make judgments based on how readily available info is in our memories

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31
Q

Belief bias

A

tendency to judge arguments based on what one believes about their conclusions rather than on whether they use sound logic.

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32
Q

Belief perseverance

A

tendency to cling to beliefs despite the presence of contrary evidence

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33
Q

Overconfidence

A

combo of intuitive heuristics and tendency to confirm preconceived beliefs; an overestimation of the accuracy of knowledge and judgments.

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34
Q

Information framing

A

how something is presented to the audience (called “the frame”) influences the choices people make about how to process that information. Ex) 75% lean meat vs. 25% fat meat

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35
Q

Consciousness

A

awareness that we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment; important for reflection and exerts control by directing our attention.

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36
Q

Reticular formation/Reticular Activating System (RAS)

A

Brain structures within the brainstem controlling alertness and arousal.

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37
Q

Polysomnography (PSG)

A

mulitmodal technique to measure physiological processes during sleep:

  1. EEG
  2. EOG
  3. EMG
38
Q

EEG (electroencephalogram)

A

measures of electrical impulses in the brain

39
Q

EMG (electromyogram)

A

measures of skeletal muscle movements

40
Q

EOG (electrooculogram)

A

measures of eye movements

41
Q

EEG alpha waves

A

low amplitudes and high frequencies
person is ready to drift off
relaxed body, feeling drowsy, eyes closing

42
Q

REM

A

rapid eye movement

43
Q

Stage 1 sleep

A 
non-REM sleep
EEG has theta waves
EOG has slow eye rolling movements
EMG has moderate activity
less responsive to stimuli and has fleeting thoughts
44
Q

EEG theta waves

A

low to moderate intensity and intermediate frequency; occur during Stage 1 non-REM sleep

45
Q

Stage 2 Sleep

A

theta waves with K complexes & sleep spindles
no eye movement
increased relaxation (decreased HR, respiration, and temp.)

46
Q

EEG K complex

A

wave within theta waves during Stage 2 sleep
short duration
large

47
Q

EEG Sleep spindles

A

wave within theta waves during Stage 2 sleep
short duration
bursts of waves

48
Q

Stage 3 & 4 Sleep

A 
slow wave sleep (SWS)
delta waves begin to dominate over higher freq. waves
deepest level of sleep
no eye movement
HR and digestion slow
GH secreted
49
Q

EEG delta waves

A

high amplitude; low freq. signify deepest level of sleep

begin in Stage 3 sleep

50
Q

REM Sleep Stage “Paradoxical sleep”

A
  • bursts of quick eye movement
  • EEG show beta waves which are common in awake persons
  • almost no skeletal muscle movement
  • dreams
51
Q

EEG beta waves

A

in awake people
low intensity; high freq
similar to waves during REM sleep

52
Q

REM rebound

A

missing one night of REM sleet results in an increase in REM sleep later to make up for it

53
Q

Manifest content

A

plotlines of dreams; what you remember or think of when you wake up

54
Q

Latent content

A

Freud believed dreams were versions of underlying unconscious drives and wishes that are difficult to express.

55
Q

Activation synthesis theory

A

suggests dreams are byproducts of brain activation during REM sleep; dreams are a platform for practicing consciousness development.

56
Q

Dyssomnias

A 
abnormailities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep
include:
-narcolepsy
-insomnia
-sleep apnea
57
Q

Insomnia

A

most common sleep disorder
difficulty falling or staying asleep
persistent problem
can stem from chronic stress

58
Q

Narcolepsy

A

overwhelming sleepiness during waking periods
without warning
dysfunction in the region of the hypothalamus that produces the NT called hypocretin

59
Q

Sleep apnea

A

intermittently stop breathing during sleep
can be accompanied by heavy snoring
associated with obesity

60
Q

Parasomnias

A

abnormal behaviors that occur during sleep
include:
-somnambulism
-night terrors

61
Q

Somnambulism

A

sleep walking
occur during SWS (Stage 3) during the first 1/3 of the night
possible genetic predispositions
functions of pons in brainstem are lacking
likely to appear in children

62
Q

Night terrors

A

occur during Stage 3 (nightmares occur during REM)
person might sit up, walk around, babble, and appear terrified
no recollection in the morning
functions of pons in brainstem are lacking
likely to appear in children

63
Q

Depressants

A

include alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers), and opiates

64
Q

Barbiturates

A

depress the sympathetic nervous system; prescribed sleep aids

65
Q

Opiates

A

morphine and heroin; depress neural functioning

temporarily reduce pain by mimicking NT’s like endorphins

66
Q

Stimulants

A

include caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines (speed)
increasing release of NT/reducing reuptake of NT/or both

67
Q

Hallucinogens

A

psychedelics
distort perceptions in the absence of any sensory input
include LSD and marijuana

68
Q

Psychological dependence

A

associated with the use of a drug in response to painful emotions related to depression, anxiety, or trauma.

69
Q

Physical dependence

A

can be seen by withdrawl

withdrawl is physical pain; sometimes dangerous and life-threatening

70
Q

Addiction

A

biologically based; dopaminergic pathway is a natural pathway to a feeling of reward and pleasure

71
Q

Nucleus accumbens

A

pleasure center of brain

72
Q

Physiological arousal

A

excitation of the body’s internal state; ex) pounding heart when surprised

73
Q

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A

people perform best when they are moderately aroused

74
Q

James-Lange Theory of emotion

A

physiological and behavioral responses lead to the cognitive aspect of emotion

75
Q

Cannon-Bard Theory of emotion

A

physiological and cognitive responses occur simultaneously and are independent. They lead to a behavioral reaction.

76
Q

Sachachter-Singer Theory of emotion

A

physiological arousal leads to cognitive interpretation, which leads to identifying the emotion and a behavioral response.

77
Q

Amygdala

A

almond shaped structure in brain; emotion center; expression of fear and aggression

78
Q

Limbic system

A

collection of the brain structures that lies on both sides of the thalamus; together, these structures appear to be primarily responsible for emotional experiences.

79
Q

Hypothalamus

A

brain structure that controls the physiological aspects of emotion

80
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A

located at the front of the brain
controls approach and avoidance behaviors
critical for temperament and decision making
associated with a reduction in emotional feelings (fear and anxiety)

81
Q

Hippocampus

A

brain structure that plays a key role in forming memories

82
Q

Executive functions

A

higher order thinking processes such as planning, organizing, inhibiting behavior, and decision making

83
Q

Phineas Gage

A

railroad worker who had a metal rod go through his skull
damage to prefrontal cortex led to different behavior
speculate on prefrontal cortex’s role in personality

84
Q

Appraisal

A

how a stressful nature of an event is interpreted by the individual experiencing it.

85
Q

Learned helplessness

A

when stress is accompanied by lack of control over stress-inducing events. Exhaustion and lack of belief in one’s ability to manage situations

86
Q

Language acquisition

A

the way infants learn to understand and speak their native language
usually the language used by their parents
not the process of learning a language in school

87
Q

Skinner’s behaviorist model of language acquisition

A

infants are trained in language by operant conditioning.

associate an object with sounds the parents are making

88
Q

Noam Chomsky and the language acquisition device (LAD)/Universal grammar (UG)

A

an innate feature unique to the human mind that allows people to gain mastery of language from limited exposure during the sensitive developmental years in early childhood

89
Q

Broca’s area

A

left hemisphere of frontal lobe

involved in speech production

90
Q

Broca’s aphasia (expressive aphasia)

A

disorder where people lose the ability to speak

they know what they want to say, but are unable to communicate it

91
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

posterior section of the temporal lobe in the dominant hemisphere (usually in the left)
involved in comprehension of speech and written language

92
Q

Wernicke’s aphasia (receptive aphasia)

A

disorder where people are incapable of producing meaningful language; speech production is not lost

MCAT Psychology/Sociology (5 decks)

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