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psych > psych exam 1 > Flashcards

psych exam 1 Flashcards

chapters 1-4

1
Q

psychology

A

the scientific study of how people act, think, and feel (behavior and mental processes)

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2
Q

behavior

A

observable actions

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3
Q

mental processes

A

internal states including thoughts, beliefs, and feelings

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4
Q

Describe how psychology helps us

A

Understanding ourselves:
-Self-awareness
-Motivation and learning
-Mental health

Understanding others:
-Empathy and compassion
-Communication and conflict resolution
-Social and cultural understanding

Solving real-world problems:
-Education
-Workplace
-Public policy

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5
Q

steps of the scientific method

A

observation > theory > hypothesis > conduct research > analyze results > draw conclusions

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6
Q

How do we use ethics to protect humans and nonhuman animals in research?

A

protecting nonhuman animals: ensure safety, comfort, health, etc.)

protecting humans: (informed consent, confidentiality, protection from harm/discomfort, debrief)

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7
Q

Neuron

A

nerve cells that form the basic building blocks of the nervous system

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8
Q

Cell body

A

contains the nucleus and functions as the cell’s life support center

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9
Q

Dendrites

A

branches that receive and integrate messages from other cells

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10
Q

Axon

A

long threadlike part of a nerve cell which sends messages to other neurons, muscles, or glands

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11
Q

Terminal branches

A

form junctions with other cells to transmit messages

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12
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers that transmit information to other neurons

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13
Q

nervous system

A

the body’s electrochemical communication network that consists of the central and peripheral nervous systems

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14
Q

Central nervous system

A

brain and spinal cord

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15
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

autonomic and somatic

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16
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

sympathetic (arousing, preparing for fight or flight) and parasympathetic (calming)

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17
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

monitors sensory input and triggers motor output

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17
Q

Endocrine system

A

a set of glands and tissue that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

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18
Q

Hormones

A

chemical messengers that influence growth, reproduction, metabolism, and mood

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19
Q

Pituitary gland

A

the brain structure that controls endocrine glands

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20
Q

Why do we use neuroimaging?

A

to visualize the structures of the brain and monitor brain activity (e.g., PET, MRI)

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21
Q

Three main brain divisions

A

hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

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22
Q

Lobes of the brain

A

frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

23
Q

Consciousness

A

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

24
Q

Selective attention

A

focusing conscious awareness on one thing

25
Q

Inattentional blindness

A

failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

26
Q

Change blindness

A

failing to notice changes in the environment

27
Q

How frequently do we cycle through the sleep stages?

A

4-6 times per night, each is ~90 minutes

28
Q

Developmental psychology

A

studies physical, cognitive, and social development throughout the lifespan

29
Q

In your opinion, why do we dream?

A
  1. Memory consolidation and processing
  2. Emotional regulation
  3. Problem-solving and creativity
  4. Evolutionary adaptation
  5. Biological housekeeping
30
Q

Cross-sectional study

A

comparing people of different ages at the same time point

31
Q

Longitudinal study

A

follows and retests the same participants over time

32
Q

zygote

A

fertilization to 2 weeks

32
Q

embryo

A

2 weeks to 9 weeks

33
Q

fetus

A

9 weeks to birth

33
Q

Fraternal twins

A

developed from two different fertilized eggs

34
Q

Identical twins

A

developed from the same fertilized egg

35
Q

Twin and adoption studies…

A

help researchers understand how heredity and environmental factors influence individuals

36
Q

Schema

A

a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information

37
Q

Attachment

A

an emotional tie with others

38
Q

Piaget’s theory

A

Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development suggests that children move through four different stages of intellectual development which reflect the increasing sophistication of children’s thought

39
Q

Authoritarian

A

coercive, expect obedience, “because I said so”

40
Q

Permissive

A

un-restraining, few limits, demands, or punishments

41
Q

Neglectful

A

uninvolved, neither demanding nor responsive, careless, inattentive, not close with children

42
Q

Sex

A

the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex

43
Q

Authoritative

A

confrontive, demanding and responsive, set rules and allow for open discussion and exceptions

44
Q

sex chromosomes

A

Sex chromosomes: X (found in females and males) and Y (found only in males)

45
Q

Primary characteristics

A

Primary sex characteristics are reproductive

46
Q

Sex hormones

A

testosterone and estrogen

47
Q

secondary characteristics

A

secondary sex characteristics are non-reproductive

48
Q

Gender

A

the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman; gender is socially constructed

49
Q

role

A

a set of expectations about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

50
Q

gender role

A

a set of behaviors, expectations, attitudes, and traits for men and women

51
Q

Cisgender

A

describes people whose gender identity or expression aligns with their birth-assigned sex

52
Q

Transgender

A

describes people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex

53
Q

Sexuality

A

our thoughts, feelings, and actions related to our physical attraction to another

54
Q

sexual orientation

A

the direction of our sexual attractions

psych (3 decks)

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