Psych ch1-ch2 Flashcards
psychology
the scientific study of mental activity and behavior which are based on brain processes.
empiricism
an evidence-based approach to going knowledge by conducting research that systematically investigates and measures phenomena of interest.
science of learning
research in psychology and other fields that suggests how you can improve your study skills, learning, and academic performance.
critical thinking
systematically evaluating information to reach conclusions based on the evidence that is presented.
domains of psychology
the five interconnected areas of empirical research in modern psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental and physical health domains.
diversity
any difference between people that becomes apparent in a specific context
culture
the beliefs, values, rules, and customs that exist within a group of people who share a common language and environment, which are transmitted through learning from one generation to the next.
ethics
accepted standards of right and wrong that guide people’s behavior.
Institutional review board (IRB)
Group of people responsible for reviewing proposed research to ensure that it meets the accepted ethical standards of science and provides for participants’ physical and emotional well-being.
scientific method
A continuous five-step process that allows systematic observation and measurement of phenomena to reach one or more scientific goals.
theory
A series of interconnected ideas or concepts that explains what is observed in research and that makes predictions about future events.
hypothesis
A specific, testable prediction of what should be observed in a study if a theory is correct.
replication
Repetition of a research study to confirm or contradict the results.
descriptive methods
Research methods that provide a systematic and objective snapshot of what is occurring at a certain point in time.
correlational methods
Research methods that examine how variables are naturally related in the real world without altering the variables and without revealing whether one factor causes changes in another.
experimental methods
research methods that can reveal causality by manipulating independent variable and measuring the effects on dependent variables.
independent variable
In an experiment, the variable that the experimenter manipulates to examine its impact on the dependent variable.
dependent variable
In an experiment, the variable that is measured to determine how it was affected by the manipulation of the independent variable.
control group
In an experiment, a group of participants that receives either no treatment or a baseline manipulation that is expected to have little or no impact; this group serves as a comparison to the experimental group.
experimental group
In an experiment, one or more groups of participants that experience the treatment of interest based on manipulation of the independent variable.
random assignment
Placing research participants into the conditions of an experiment in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any level of the independent variable.
random sample
A sample of participants that fairly represents the population because each member of the population has an equal chance of being included.
ethics
accepted standards of right and wrong that guide people’s behavior
the 4 ethical standards
privacy, confidentially, informed consent, protection from harm
risk/benefit ratio
analysis of whether research is important enough for the risk
the five steps of the scientific method
- formulate a theory
- develop a testable hypothesis
- test with a research method
4.analyze the data - share the results and conduct more research
observational studies
involve observing and classifying behavior, either with intervention by the observer or without intervention by the observer.
self reports
involves asking questions of research participants. the participants than respond in any way they feel is appropriate of select form.
amiable skepticism
remain open to new ideas but be wary
falsifiable
can be wrong, can find evidence to reject hypothesis.
parsimonious
simplest experiment
directionality problem
which variable caused changes in the other?
third variable problem
does another unmeasured variable cause the correlation
illusory correlation
perception of correlation when none exists
nature
bio, genetics
nurture
environment, situation
nervous system
a network of billions of cells in your brain and your body
central nervous system (CNS)
consists of nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
consists of the nerve cells outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Neurons
small units that make up the nervous system.
Dendrites
branchlike extensions of the neuron’s cell body with receptors that receive information from other neurons
cell body
part of the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is collected and integrated.
axon
a long narrow outgrowth of a neuron’s cell body that lets the neuron transmit information to other neurons.
terminal buttons
parts of the neuron at the end of axons that release chemical signals from the neuron into the synapse.
synapse
the gap between the terminal buttons of a sending neuron and the dendrites of a receiving neuron.
neurotransmitters
chemical that carry signals from one neuron to another.
Transmission phase
electrical signals created in the cell body travel along the axon and neurotransmitters are released from the terminal buttons into the synapse.
reception phase
the dendrites of other neurons receive these signals from sending neurons
integration phase
neurons assess and interpret the incoming signals.
action potential
the neural impulse that travels along the axon and then causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse.
Myelin Sheath
A fatty material that covers and insulates some axons to allow for faster movement of electrical impulses along the axon.
Acetylcholine
motor control over muscles attain, memory. learning, and sleeping.
Norepinephrine
arousal and alertness.
serotonin
emotional states and impulse control. dreaming.
dopamine
reward and motivation. motor control over voluntary movement.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Inhibition of action potentials. Anxiety reduction. Intoxication (through alcohol)
Endorphins
Pain reduction, reward
Agonist
drugs that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters.
Antagonist
drugs that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters.
Medulla
breathing, heart rate, other survival mechanism
pons
sleep, arousal, left-right body movement coordination
cerebellum
motor learning, coordination balance.
substance nigra
initiation of voluntary motor activity
thalamus
sensory information (except smell)
Hypothalamus
regulation of body functions and motivation
amygdala
association of emotions with experiences
hippocampus
formation of new memories
occipital lobes
vision
parietal lobes
touch, spatial information
temporal lobes
hearing, memory
frontal lobes
planning, movement, complex thought
Broca’s area
a small portion of the left frontal region of the brain; this area is crucial for producing speech.
spinal cord
the gateway for information traveling between the brain and the body
Thalamus
a subcortical forebrain structure. the gateway to the brain for sight, sound, touch, and taste sensory information before that information reaches the cortex.
split brain
a condition in which the corpus callous is surgically severed and the two hemispheres of the brain do not receive information directly from each other.
right hemisphere
better with spatial relationships and control left-side body movements.
left hemisphere
better with language and controls right-side body movements.
learning disability
a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, store or respond to information.
somatic nervous system
a subdivision of the PNS; it transmits sensory signals and motor signals back and forth between the CNS and the skin, muscles, and joints.
Autonomic nervous system
a subdivision of the PNS; it transmits sensory signals and motor signals back and forth between the CNS and the body’s glands and internal organs.
endocrine system
a bodily communication system that uses hormones to influence many aspects of the body, mental activity, and behavior.
Natural selection
The basis of evolution; the idea that those who inherit characteristics that help them adapt to their particular environments have an advantage over those who do not.
Genes
Units of heredity that help determine an offspring’s characteristics
Monozygotic twins
Identical twins; these siblings result from one zygote splitting in two, so they share the same genes.
Dizygotic twins
Fraternal twins; these siblings result from two separately fertilized eggs, so they are no more similar genetically than no twin siblings are.
Plasticity
A property of the brain that causes it to change as a result of experience or injury.
Hormones
chemicals released from endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to targeted tissues; the tissues are later influenced by the hormones.
Consciousness
The combination of your subjective experience of the external world and your internal mental activity, both of which result from brain activity
