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Psychology > Modules 1-6 > Flashcards

Modules 1-6 Flashcards

1
Q

Empirical approach

A

An evidence based method that draws on observation and experimentation

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2
Q

Scientific attitude

A

Skeptics but not cynical, open minded but not gullible

Curiosity, skepticism, humility

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3
Q

Critical thinking

A

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather it examines assumptions, appraised the source, diced a hidden biases, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions.

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4
Q

Aristotle’s approach to psychology

A

Theorized about learning and memory, motivation and emotion, perception and personality

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5
Q

Birth of psychology

A

December 1879 university of Leipzig Germany. 2 men and professor willhelm Wundt created an experiment. Machine measured how quick people could hit a button after a sounds. Took longer to react when asked to hit button when consciously aware of perceiving the sound. Aware of ones awareness takes longer

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6
Q

First schools of thought of psychology

A
  1. Structuralism- promotes by Wundt and titchener. Used introspection to reveal structure of the human mind. Reporting feelings, sensations and images. (Mental structure)
  2. Functionalism- promoted by William James and influenced by Darwin. Explored how mental and behavioural processes function
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7
Q

Behaviourism

A

The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behaviour without reference to mental processes.

1920-1960

Sigmund Freud

Approach focussed on environment

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8
Q

Sigmund Freud

A

Psychoanalytic psychology: how our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behaviour

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9
Q

Humanistic psychologists

A

A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential

Need for love, acceptance, and nurturing environment

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10
Q

Cognitive psychology

Cognitive neuroscience

A

Study of mental processes such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate and solve problems

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

(Perception, thinking, memory and language)

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11
Q

Psychology

A

The science of behaviour and mental processes

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12
Q

Nature- nurture issue

A

Long-standing controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviours. Today’s science sees traits and behaviours arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

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13
Q

Natural selection

A

The principle that inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed to succeeding generations

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14
Q

Evolutionary psychology

A

The study of the evolution of behaviour and the mind, using principles of natural selection

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15
Q

Behaviour genetics

A

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour

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16
Q

Culture

A

The enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

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17
Q

Positive psychology

A

The scientific study of human flourishing with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

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18
Q

Biopsychosocial approach

A

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Biological- genes, mutations and natural selection

Social-cultural influences- presence of others, cultural expectations, media

Psychological influences- learned fears, emotional responses

All affect behaviour and mental processes

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19
Q

Basic research

Applied research

A

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

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20
Q

Counselling psychologists

A

Branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (school, work, or relationships) and in achieving greater well-being.

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21
Q

Clinical psychologists

A

Studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

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22
Q

Psychiatrists

A

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy.

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23
Q

Community psychologists

A

Studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups

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24
Q

Testing effect

A

Enhanced memory after retrieving rather than simply rereading information

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25
Q

SQ3R

A

Study method incorporating five steps:

Survey
Question 
Read
Retrieve
Review
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26
Q

Dualism

A

Body and mind are separate things 17th c

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27
Q

Phrenology

A

Areas of brain for certain emotions/ ideas

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28
Q

Start to psychology field

A

Hemholtz and Wundt led to first psych department at a university

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29
Q

Wilhelm Wundt wanted to do to psychology what…

A

Periodic table did for chemistry

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30
Q

Hindsight bias

A

The TW daft to believe after learning an outcome that one would have foresee it.

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31
Q

Theory

A

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organize observations and predicts behaviour or events

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32
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction often implies by a theory

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33
Q

Operational definition

A

Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study

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34
Q

Replication

A

Repeating the essence of a research study with different participants in different situations to see if digital findings can be reproduced

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35
Q

Preregistration

A

Publicly communicating planned study design, hypothesis, data collection and analysis

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36
Q

Meta-analysis

A

A statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

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37
Q

Case study

A

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

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38
Q

Naturalistic observations

A

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behaviour in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

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39
Q

Survey

A

Descriptive technique for obtaining the self reported attitudes or behaviours of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

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40
Q

Random sample

A

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

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41
Q

Population

A

All those in a group being studied from which random samples may be drawn

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42
Q

Correlation

A

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

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43
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

A statistical index of the relationship between two things (-1.00 to 1.00)

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44
Q

Variable

A

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

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45
Q

Scatterplots

A

A graphed cluster of dots each of which represent that values of two variables. The slope of the points suggest the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation

Perfect positive correlation /
No relationship
Perfect negative correlation \

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46
Q

Illusory correlation

A

Perceiving a relationship where none exists or perceiving a stronger than actual relationship

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47
Q

Regression toward the mean

A

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) toward the average.

Ex: student who did extremely well or bad on a test will go back to average on a retest

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48
Q

Experiment

A

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

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49
Q

Experimental group

Control group

A

Group exposed to a treatment

Group not exposed

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50
Q

Double blind procedure

A

An experimental produce in which both research participants and research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo

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51
Q

Independent variable

Confounding variable

Dependent variable

A

Factor that is manipulated

Factor the might influence a studies result but is not the main factor

Outcome that is being measured

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52
Q

Debriefing

Informed consent

A

The post experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions to its participants

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether to participant or not

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53
Q

Post-truth

A

A culture where people’s emotions and personal beliefs override their acceptance of objective facts

54
Q

Measures if central tendency

Mode
Mean
Median

A

Most frequent occurring scores

Average of a distribution

Middle score

55
Q

Range

Standard deviation

Normal curve

A

The different between the high test and lowest scores in a distribution

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

A symmetrical bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% within 1 SD, 95% in 2 SD)

56
Q

Statistically significant

A

A statement of how likely it is that a result (such as a difference between samples) occurred by chance, assuming there is no difference between the population being studied.

57
Q

Null hypothesis

A

Assumption that no differences exist between groups

Alternative hypothesis= opposite

58
Q

Who correctly located the kind in the brain

A

Hippocrates

59
Q

Franz gall

A

I’m 1800’s proposed phrenology

Studying bumps on the skull to reveal a persons mental ability/ traits

Skull readings

60
Q

Biological psychologists

A

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes (behaviour neuroscientists, physiological psychologists or bio psychologists

61
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The variants ability to change, especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based in experience

Greatest in childhood

62
Q

Neurons (nerve cells)

A

Basic part of nervous system

New neurons are born and unused ones wither away in life

63
Q

Cell body

Dendrite

Axon

Myelin sheath

Glial cells

A

Contains nucleus of neuron

Branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

Passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

A fatty tissue layer segmental encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmutation speed as neural impulses hop form one node to the next.

Cells in nervous system that support, nourish and protect neurones. Also play role in learning, thinking and memory

64
Q

If myelin sheath cells are diminished it causes

A

Loss of communication to muscles and brain if diminished

65
Q

Action potential

A

A numeral impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

66
Q

How does action potential work

A

Fluid outside axon membrane is positively charged sodium ions.

A resting axons fluid interior is negatively charged protein ions.

Axons fate is selectively permeable.

Positive outside and negative inside is resting potentiometer. When neuron fires, axon opens gates, sodium goes in causing depolarization which opened next gate and next.

67
Q

Threshold

A

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

68
Q

Refractory period

A

A brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron had fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon retunes to its resting state

69
Q

All-or-none response

A

A neurons reaction of either firing (with full strength) or not firing

70
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tint gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap

71
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons. Bind to receptors sites on receiving neurons

72
Q

Re uptake

A

A neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron

Some antidepressants partially block re uptake of mood enhancing neurotransmitters

73
Q

Endorphins

What happens if you flood the brain with opiates

A

“Morphine within”

Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

If you flood brain with opiates like morphine/ heroine the brain stops making its own and become deprived

74
Q

Agonist

Antagonist

A

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action

(Mimic excitatory/ inhibitory effects)

Decrease a neurotransmitters action by blocking production or release

75
Q

Nervous system

A

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

76
Q

Central nervous system

Peripheral nervous system

A

Brain and spinal cord

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

77
Q

Nerves

A

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting CNS with muscles, glands and sensory organs

78
Q

3 types of neurons

A
  1. Sensory neurons: carrying information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain/ spinal cord.
  2. Motor neurons: Carey outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
  3. Inter neurons: within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
79
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

The dictions of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles (voluntary)

80
Q

Automatic nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs (heart)

81
Q

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

A

Arouses body and mobilizing energy

Calms the body, conserving it’s energy

82
Q

Reflexes

A

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk reflex

83
Q

Endocrine system

A

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the blood stream

84
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

85
Q

Adreal glands

A

A pair of endocrine glands that sits just above the kidneys and secreted hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

86
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Most influential endocrine gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

87
Q

Body’s blood sugar is regulated by which organ

A

Pancreas

88
Q

Abdominal parathyroids in endocrine system causes

A

Imbalance in regulation of calcium in blood

89
Q

Multiple sclerosis is caused by

A

Degradation of myelin sheath

90
Q

Guys with severed spinal cord have no genital sensation but are able to

A

Have erections

91
Q

What neurotransmitter causes contractions in labour

A

Oxytocin

92
Q

Abnormality in thyroid gland can cause irregular

A

Metabolism, moods, tiredness and weakness

93
Q

Lesion

A

Tissue destruction

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

94
Q

EEG

A

Electroencephalogram

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface.

These waves are measured by electrodes places in the scalp

Researchers record waves through shower cap like hat filled with electrodes covered with conductive gel

95
Q

MEG

A

A brain imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brains natural electrical activity

Special room that cancels out other magnetic signals. Person sits under head coil like in salon. While doing activists, tens of thousands of neurons create electrical pulses, which create magnetic fields

96
Q

PET

A

Position emission tomography a technique for deleting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

97
Q

MRI

A

Magnetic resource imaging a technique the uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer- generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

Head out in string magnetic field, which aligns the spinning atoms of brain molecules. Radio wave pulse momentarily disorients the atoms. When atoms return to normal spin, they emit signals that provide a detailed picture of soft tissues

98
Q

fMRI

A

A technique for revealing blood flow and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure

99
Q

fNIRS

A

Functional infrared spectroscopy uses I dated light that shines into blood molecules to identify brain activity. Equipment can fit in a backpack.

With fMRI researches had 3 grips doing different tasks and bases on their brain scans could identify the activity done by each with 80% accuracy

100
Q

Brain stem

A

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

101
Q

Medulla

A

The base of the brain stem; controls heartbeat and breathing

102
Q

Pons

A

Above medulla- coordinates movement and controls sleep

103
Q

Thalamus

A

Above brain stem; the veins sensory control Center. Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Received sensory info from all senses but smell

104
Q

Reticular formation

A

A nerve network that travels through the brain stem into the thalamus; filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal

105
Q

Cerebellum

A

The “little” brain at the rear of the brain stem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

*has half the brains neurons -judge time, discriminate rough vs smooth, controls emotions and social behaviour

Aids in vocab, reading and ability to store information

106
Q

Limbric system

A

Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

107
Q

Amygdala

A

Two Lima bean shaped neural clusters in the limbric system; linked to emotion.

  • removed amygdala causes aggression
  • removed can cause no fear
108
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A neural structure is the limbric system lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temp), helps harem the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward

-steady homeostatic state

109
Q

Hippocampus

A

A neural center located in the limbric system; helps process explicit (conscious) memories- of facts and events for storage.

Decreases as we grow: further cognitive decline

110
Q

Reward Centers have been located in regions of the

A

Hypothalamus

111
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information- processing Center.

-thin surface layer

Contains 20-23B brain nerve cells and 300T synaptic connections

112
Q

Each hemispheres cortex is divided into 4 lines; separated by prominent…

A

Fissures or folds

113
Q

Frontal lobes

A

Behind forehead

The portion of the cerebral cortex; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

114
Q

Parietal lobes

A

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and towards the rear that receives sensory input for touch and body position

115
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Portion of cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the usual fields

116
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Portion of cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

117
Q

Motor cortex

A

A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

118
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal loves that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Stimulate a point on this band of tissue and a person may believe their shoulder was touched

119
Q

Associates areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking

Is in all 4 lobes

120
Q

Prefrontal lobe

A

Association area that enables judgement/ planning/ social interactions and processing new memories

121
Q

Frontal lobe damage can alter

A

Personality and remove a persons inhibitions

122
Q

Underside of the right temporal love enables us to recognize

A

Faces

123
Q

Functional connectivity

A

Communication among distinct brain areas and neural networks

124
Q

Most brain damage effects can be traces to two hard facts

A
  1. Severed brain/ spinal cord neurons don’t regenerate
  2. Some brain functions seem preassigned to specific areas
    - brains plasticity allows those who are blind or dead to use brain areas not used to focus elsewhere
125
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Formation of new neurons

Neural stem cells in embryos could replace damaged brain cells in adults potentially

126
Q

Corpus callosum

A

The large band of neural fibres connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

127
Q

Split brains

A

A condition resulting from the surgery that separates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibres (mainly of corpus callosum) connecting them

128
Q

What you see with right eye is processed by which side of the brain

A

Left

129
Q

Right side of the brain is better at

A

Inferences, copying drawings, recognizing faces, noticing differences, perceiving emotion, and expressing emotion and coordinating self awareness

130
Q

Constraint-induced therapy

A

Aims to gradually reprogram brains by restraining a fully functioning limb and force into the use of a “bad” hand or “uncooperative” leg.

Psychology (6 decks)

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