Misc Final Vocab (E1) Flashcards
Mean
average
Median
middle number
Mode
most commonly occurring number
The standard deviation is the most useful measure of variation in a set of data because it tells us…
how much individual scores differ from the mean (average)
Which of the three measures of central tendency is most easily distorted by a few very high or very low scores?
mean (average)
“How can regression toward the mean influence our interpretation of events?”
Regression toward the mean is a statistical phenomenon describing the tendency of extreme scores or outcomes to return to normal after an unusual event. Without knowing this, we may inaccurately decide the return to normal was a result of our own behavior.
knowing two events are correlated provides…
basis for a prediction (not causation or existance of a third factor)
parts of the limbic system (2)
amygdala and hypocampus
if a split-brained patient sees “HERON”. HER = on right hemesphere, ON = on left. When asked to see what he saw the man says “BLANK” but his LEFT hand points to “BLANK”
ON, HER
N1 sleep
when consciousness ends + sleep starts
N2 Sleep
periodic “sleep spindles” - bursts of rapid, rhythmic brainwave activity that aid in memory processing
N3 Sleep
slow delta waves, hard to wake up
REM Sleep
raped, saw toothed brain waves. heart rate rises, breathing becomes rapid, every 30ish seconds eyes dart around rapidly
activation-synthesis theory (dreams)
we dream to synthesize random neural activity
information-processing theory (dreams)
we dream to process the information/events of the previous day. help us make sense of the world + file away memories/important info
disinhibitor (drugs)
drug which reduces your inhibitions both agressive or otherwise (alcohol, kiss someone or start a fight, both things you wanted to do sober but you did it bc your inhibitions were lowered bc of alc)
ecstasy/mdma/moly causes long term damage to…
neurons that make seratonin
developmental psychologists focus on these three issues:
nature/nurture
continuity/stages
stability/change
nociceptors
sensory receptors specific to pain
five aspects of taste
umami, sour, sweet, bitter, salty
depressants
psychoactive drugs which reduce neural activity and slow brain function (alcohol, barbiturates/tranqs, opiods)
stimulats
psychoactive drugs which excite neural activity and speed up brain and body functions (amphetamines, coke, nic, caffeine)
hallucinagens
psychoactive drugs which distort perceptions and can evoke sensory images in the absense of stimulus imput (LSD, technicly weed, etc)
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter which aids in muscle action, learning, and MEMORY
in people with alzeimers, there occurs a degeneration of the neurons which produce acetlycholine (reduction in memory)
dopamine
neurotransmitter which aids in emotion, influences movement, learning, and attention
oversupply linked with schizophrenia and undersupply is linked with parkinsons (decreased mobility)
seratonin
influences sleep, hunger, arousal, and affects mood
undersupply = depression (SSRIs)
norepinephrine (adrenaline)
neurotransmitter which control alterness + arousal
undersuply can depress mood
GABA
inhibitory neurotransmitter
undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia
glutamate
major excitatory neurotransmitter also aids in memory
oversupply can overstimulate brain causing migraines or seizures
endorphines
perception of pain and/or pleasure
oversuply w/opiodes can suppress bodys natural endorphine suply
imprinting
the process by which certain animals form strong attachements during early life (attachement to mom etc)
