prologue/chapters 1,2,4 Flashcards
Behavioral/Learning Perspective
Assumes behavior is learned, mental processes not important
reward/punishment
Cognitive Perspective
Mental processes in judgement, memory, decisions, et.
Experimental method - influences about processes
Neuroscience Perspective
Behavior/mental processes are genetic
role of genes, brain, hormones
Evolutionary Perspective
behavior - bc of natural selection
study adaptive value of behavior
sociobiology/behavioral genetics
Social-Cultural Perspective
human behavior varies across situations/cultures
environment - big effect
Psychodynamic Perspective
behavior - unconscious struggles
case study - hidden fears/desires
important in personality/clinical psychology
Humanistic Perspective
phenomenological approach
people choose
potential for personal growth
Theory
Integrated set of principles that explain/predict observable event
Hypothesis
Testable prediction about relationship
Falsifiable
Tested by collecting evidence
Parsimonious
simplest explanation
Conceptual variable
Conceived at abstract level
Operational definition
definition of C.V.
Case Study
intense examination of particular individual/situation
Naturalistic Observation
no interference or manipulation
Survey
Questions to attain beliefs, attitudes, etc.
Experiment
Random assignment, dep/ind variables, constant, cause and effect
Correlational coefficient
-1 to +1, shows strength/direction of relationship (third variables can come into play)
Descriptive Statistics
Summarize data set
Inferential Statistics
Likeliness that data not due to chance, statistical significance
Neurons
Units of nervous system, have ability to communicate w/ each other (aka nerve cells)
Action Potential
gets shot down through axon
Axon
Normally polarized, have action potential, changes can suddenly depolarize it, all or none, can fire rapidly
Synaptic Transmission
when action potential reaches end of axon, it causes the release of neurotransmitters into neural synapse
neurotransmitters bind to receptors on dendrite of other neurons
causes changes in dendrite of receiving neuron, resulting in depolarization, spreads down into that neuron and the process starts over
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine/Seratonin/Endorphins (Endorphins bind to same receptors as opiates, “endogenous morphine”, pain relief/mood elevation)
Peripheral Nervous System
Not encased in bone
carries out sensory/motor functions
includes somatic/autonomic systems
Somatic System
Part of PNS
transmits messages from senses to CNS and from CNS to skeletal muscles
Autonomic System
Part of PNS
messages between CNS and involuntary organs
contains sympathetic/parasympathetic systems
Sympathetic System
Part of Autonomic Systtem
mobilizes body for action in face of stress
Parasympathetic System
Part of Autonomic System
regulates functions to conserve energy
Central Nervous System
Spinal Cord/Brain
Encased in bone
central processing unit of body
controls all thinking
Spinal Cord
receives signals from peripheral senses, relays to brain
carries signals from brain to muscles
directs simple behavior without brain (reflexes)
Brain Stem
Medulla/Pons
Older brain structure
blood pressure, heart rate, breathing
Reticular formation
older brain structure
filters incoming info, involved in attention/arousal
Thalamus
older brain structure
relays signals from senses to brain
makes sense of incoming info
Cerebellum
older brain structure
processes sensory input
controls coordinated movements/balance
Limbic System
controls basic emotions/drives
Amygdala
in limbic system
emotional significance
Hippocampus
forms new memories
regulates hunger, thirst, sex drives, attention/arousal
Cerebral cortex
wrinkled outer surface of brain
newest part of brain
anatomical areas - frontal, pariental, temporal, and occipital lobes
functional areas - motor, somatosensory, visual, and auditory cortexes
Left hemisphere of brain
controls right side of body
languages production/comprehension
Right hemisphere of brain
left side of body
spatial relations, drawing shapes
Genotype
organisms’s genetic makeup w/ respect to a trait
Phenotype
visible form of trait
