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AP Psych > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

1
Q

‘Define psychology

A

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes

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2
Q

List the past approaches

A

Scientific, empirical, structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt

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3
Q

Scientific method of psychology

A

Based on verifiable evidence obtained

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4
Q

Describe the scientific method loop

A

Hypotheses, experiment, results, conclusion, restart.

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5
Q

Empirical approach

A

Belief that science should rely on observation

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6
Q

Structuralism

A

Relies on introspection (Wilhelm Wundt)

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7
Q

Define introspection and its weakness

A

Reporting ones own conscious mental experience. Weakness: Cannot be observed, unreliable, results vary

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8
Q

Functionalism

A

Emphasized how the functions of consciousness helps people adapt to environment.

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9
Q

Gestalt psychology

A

Looked at how the brain works by studying its perception

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10
Q

List the modern approaches

A

Psychodynamic, biological, evolutionary, cognitive, humanistic, behavioral, sociocultural

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11
Q

Psychodynamic approach

A

We are motivated by irrational desires

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12
Q

Who is the famous psychodynamic psychologist and what did he believe

A

Freud believed behavior came from unconscious drive

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13
Q

Biological approach

A

Operation of our brains influence behavior

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14
Q

Evolutionary approach

A

Behavior and mental processes is seen in terms of genetic adaptation (Charles Darwin)( Survival of the fittest)

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15
Q

Cognitive Approach

A

Behaviors are a result of the way we process information

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16
Q

Define cognitions

A

Thoughts, perceptions, memories, states of consciousness

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17
Q

Humanistic approach

A

Emphasizes human ability, growth, and the positive side of human nature

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18
Q

Behavioral approach

A

Actions are caused by environmental stimuli rather than mental process

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19
Q

Sociocultural approach

A

Emphasizes importance of social interaction and learning

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20
Q

Survey

A

Questions are asked and subjects report their own answers

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21
Q

Naturalistic Observation

A

Subjects are observed in their natural environment

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22
Q

Case study

A

One person is studied to reveal universal principles

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23
Q

Longitudinal study

A

One group or subject is studied for an extended period of time to observe long term changes

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24
Q

Cross-sectional study

A

Studies a cross section of a population

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25
Q

Correlation studies

A

Studying the relationship between two variables

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26
Q

Positive correlation

A

As one variable increases the other increases. As one variable deacreases the other decreases. Correlation is betwwen 0 and 1

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27
Q

Negative correlation

A

As one variable increases the other decreases. Correlation is between -1 and 0

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28
Q

Zero correlation

A

No relationship exists between two variables

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29
Q

How to know strength of correlation

A

Closer to 1/-1, stronger the correlation

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30
Q

Illusory correlation

A

Perception of a relationship where none exists

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31
Q

Regression towards the mean

A

Tendency for extremely high or low scores to move closer towards the mean when replicated

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32
Q

Define hypothesis

A

Statement that describes the relationship between the IV and DV

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33
Q

Define IV

A

Variable changed or manipulated. the cause

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34
Q

Define DV

A

The measured outcome. the effect

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35
Q

Define Experimental group

A

Receives the treatment (IV)

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36
Q

Define control group

A

Measured against; receives the placebo

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37
Q

Define confounding variable

A

Variables have unwanted influence on the outcome of an experiment

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38
Q

Define hindsight bias

A

Persons tendency to believe they had predicted an outcome

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39
Q

Define overconfidence

A

Tendency to be more confident than correct

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40
Q

Define random selection

A

Each subject of the sample has an equal likelihood to be chosen for the experimental group

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41
Q

Double blind study

A

Both the subject and the administrator do not know the nature of the IV

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42
Q

Single blind study

A

Experimenter is aware who is assigned

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43
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Cues indicating the aim of the study that cause subjects to change their behaviors based on what they think the research is about

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44
Q

Personal bias

A

Researcher allows their personal beliefs to affect the outcome

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45
Q

Expectancy bias

A

Researcher allows their expectations to affect the outcome

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46
Q

Validity

A

Experiment measures what it is meant to

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47
Q

Reliability

A

Experiment is replicated several times with similar results

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48
Q

Mean

A

average score. add all scores then divide by the amount of scores

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49
Q

Median

A

Represented by score that separates upper half from lower half. Middle number when scores are in numerical order, including repeats

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50
Q

Mode

A

Score that occurs the most often

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51
Q

Positive skew

A

Downward slope

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52
Q

Negative skew

A

Upward slope

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53
Q

Normal distribution (no skew)

A

Bell shaped curve

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54
Q

Mean median and mode relationship in a positive skew

A

mode<median<mean

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55
Q

Mean median and mode relationship in a negative skew

A

mean<median<mode

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56
Q

Mean median mode relationship in a normal distribution

A

mean=median=mode

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57
Q

Standard deviation

A

average distance between scores and their mean

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58
Q

Bio-psychology

A

Studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes

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59
Q

3 main tasks of a neuron

A

Receive information, carry information, pass the information

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60
Q

List the 3 types of neurons

A

Sensory neurons, Interneurons, Motor neurons

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61
Q

Sensory Neurons function

A

Communicate all sensory experience from the sense organs to the brain

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62
Q

Interneurons function

A

Relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons

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63
Q

Motor neurons

A

Transport messages away from the brain, to muscles organs and glands

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64
Q

Dendrite

A

Receives incoming messages from other neurons

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65
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Protects the axon

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65
Q

Axon

A

Neural impulses are sent through

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66
Q

Soma

A

Cell body assesses messages and passes the info on

67
Q

Schwann Cells

A

Make up the myelin sheath

68
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Microscopic spaces between the myelin cells that keep the action potential going through the long axon

69
Q

Synapse

A

Gap between neurons that prevents an electrical charge from racing to the next cell

70
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

Electrical message goes through a change in the terminal buttons, turning the electrical charge into a chemical message that goes past the cleft

71
Q

ACH function

A

Muscle function, learning, memory, attention

71
Q

Dopamine function

A

mood and emotion, arousal

71
Q

Sertotonin

A

Mood regulation, hunger and sleep

72
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Arousal and alertness, fight or flight, mood elevation

73
Q

GABA

A

Inhibitory transmitter, regulates sleep-wake cycles

73
Q

Glutamate

A

Excitatory neurotransmitter, basis of learning and long term memory

73
Q

Endorphins

A

Pain control, stress reduction, positive emotions

74
Q

Agonist chemicals

A

Excitatory. Amplify or mimick the sensation of pleasure

75
Q

Define reuptake

A

Neurotransmitters not absorbed by the connecting dendrite are reabsorbed by the sending neuron

75
Q

Define Action potential

A

Electrical charge that travels across the axon. “Fire” signal of the neuron causes neurotransmitters to be released by the terminal buttons

75
Q

Define resting potential

A

Ions in a normal state have a small negative charge (axon gets energy from ions)

75
Q

Define depolarization

A

Initial movement of action potential from the cell body to the axon

76
Q

Interneurons in the nervous system

A

CNS neurons that internally comminicate and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs

76
Q

Antagonist chemicals

A

Inhibitory. Block the absorption of neurotransmitters

76
Q

Define absolute threshold in terms of neurons

A

Minimum intensity necessary for an action potential to be triggered

76
Q

Sodium and potassium gates during depolarization

A

Sodium gates open while potassium gates remain closed

77
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

Small sacs in terminal buttons containing neurotransmitters

77
Q

Motor neurons in the nervous system

A

Carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands

77
Q

Refractory period

A

Period of recharging before a neuron is capable of another action potential

78
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and spinal cord. They are so important that they are encased in bone for protection

78
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Contains all the nerves which feed into the brain and spinal cord

79
Q

What occurs when an action potential reaches the synaptic vesicles

A

The synaptic vesicles are ruptured and the transmitters spill out. The transmitters then fit into the receptors like a key in a lock

79
Q

Ions during resting potential and the charge

A

Sodium ions on the outside and potassium ions on the inside. Exterior has a net positive charge, interior has a net negative charge

79
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals used in neural communication

79
Q

Sensory neurons in the nervous system

A

Carry incoming information from the PNS to the CNS and brain

80
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system . Controls the bodys voluntary skeletal muscles

80
Q

Autonomic Nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system. Controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

81
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic NS. Arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

81
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Part of the autonomic NS. Calms the body, conserving its energy

81
Q

Define reflexes

A

Bodys automatic response to stimuli

82
Q

Relationship between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

A

Homeostatic balance

82
Q

Hypothalamus role in the endocrine system

A

Controls the pituitary gland

82
Q

Pituitary gland role in the endocrine system

A

Controls all responses of the system

83
Q

Define endocrine system

A

Set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

84
Q

Parathyroids role in the endocrine system

A

regulate levels of calcium in the blood

85
Q

Thyroid glands role in the endocrine system

A

Affects metabolism

86
Q

Adrenal glands role in the endocrine system

A

Inner part, medulla, triggers fight or flight response

87
Q

Pancreas role in the endocrine system

A

Regulates level of sugar in blood

88
Q

Ovary/Testes role in the endocrine system

A

Secretes female/male sex hormones

89
Q

Endocrine system works with ____ while unaroused

A

Parasympathetic nervous system

90
Q

Define neural networks

A

Clusters of neurons that work together in the brain

90
Q

How does the brain learn

A

The brain modifys certain connections in response to feedback

91
Q

Define brain stem

A

Crossover point where most nerves from each side of the brain connect with the bodys opposite side

92
Q

List the parts of the brains stem

A

Medulla, pons, reticular formation, thalamus, cerebellum

93
Q

Pons function

A

Part of the brain stem. Relays signals to the cerebellum about movement, sleep, respiration, equilibrium, facial sensations

93
Q

Medulla function

A

Part of the Brain stem. Regulates basic body functions including breathing, blood pressure, heart rate

94
Q

Reticular formation function

A

Part of the brain stem. Keeps the brain alert, monitors incoming sensory messages

95
Q

Thalamus Function

A

Part of the brains stem. Directs all incoming and outgoing sensory and motor activity

95
Q

Cerebellum function

A

Part of the brain stem. Enables actions we perform without consciously thinking about

96
Q

List the parts of the limbic system

A

Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus

97
Q

Define limbic system

A

Works with the thalamus to create capability of emotions and memory

98
Q

Hippocampus function

A

Part of the limbic system. Connects your present with your past memories

98
Q

Amygdala function

A

Part of the limbic system. Relates to memory and emotion, feelings of pleasure

98
Q

Hypothalamus function

A

Part of the limbic system. Regulates body temp, fluid levels, nutrients. Tells the body how to respond when it detects an imbalance

99
Q

4 lobes of the cerebral cortex

A

(One of each on each hemisphere, totalling in 8) Frontal, Occipital, Parietal, Temporal

99
Q

Define cerebral cortex

A

Thin layer of interconnected neural cells. Brains ultimate control and information-processing center

100
Q

Frontal lobe function

A

Decision making, higher order thinking and reasoning

100
Q

Parietal lobe function

A

Used for general processing, touch sensations

101
Q

Occipital lobe function

A

Used for processing vision

101
Q

Temporal Lobe function

A

Used for processing hearing

102
Q

4 cortices of the cerebral cortex

A

(One of each per hemisphere, totaling in 8) Motor, Somatosensory, Visual, Auditory

103
Q

Somatosensory cortex function

A

Processes bodys touch and movement sensations

104
Q

Motor cortex function

A

In charge of movement

105
Q

Auditory cortex

A

Temporal lobe

105
Q

Visual cortex

A

Occipital lobe

106
Q

Brocas Area function

A

Directs muscle movements important to speech producton

107
Q

Wernickes area

A

Controls receptive language

108
Q

Tasks of the left hemisphere

A

Speech, thinking in words, logic, positive emotions, controls right side of body

109
Q

Tasks of the right hemisphere

A

Thinking in pictures, artistic abilites, negative emotions, controls left side of body

110
Q

Assosciation areas

A

Local, regionalized areas involved with higher level brain functions

111
Q

Define plasticity in the brain

A

The brain can change and adapt to new circumstances

112
Q

EEG

A

Electrodes placed on the scalp measure electrical activity in neurons

113
Q

MEG

A

Measures the magnetic field from neuron electrical activity to identify malfunctioning neurons

114
Q

CT Scan

A

Series of X Ray photos from different angles and are combined

115
Q

PET

A

Visual display of brain activity that detects where radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a task

116
Q

MRI

A

Studies structure of the brain using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue

117
Q

fMRI

A

Studies the function of the brain by looking at bloodflow

118
Q

Define innate abilities

A

Things we are pre-programmed to do

119
Q

Define evolution

A

Gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment

120
Q

Define natural selection

A

Individuals best adapted to the environment are more likely to reproduce

121
Q

Define genotype

A

Organisms genetic makeup

122
Q

Define genes

A

Segment of chromosome that encodes the directions for the inheirited physical and mental characteristics of an organism

122
Q

Define phenotype

A

Organisms physical characteristics

123
Q

Define chromosomes

A

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain your genes

126
Q

Define epigenetics

A

Study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

AP Psych (6 decks)

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