Psych/Soc Flashcards
What is Instinctive Behavior?
Instinctive behaviors are genetically encoded and require no learning. An animal will perform instinctive behavior automatically in response to specific environmental stimuli. They are typically a fixed action pattern (FAP) that occurs as a result of a specific stimulus.
What are the characterstics of Adolesence (3)?
Adolescence is a broad term that refers to a variety of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social changes that occur between childhood and adulthood.
In America, adolescence is viewed as a time of rebellion, freedom-seeking, and identity formation. However, cultures across the world differ in how they define and understand adolescence.
Adolescence is a developmental period that occurs after childhood but before adulthood.
It is NOT a fixed period of time (i.e., 12-18).
What is the Patellar Tendon reflex and who exhibits it?
The patellar reflex is an adult reflex. It occurs when the leg automatically jerks upward in response to a tap on the tendon under the kneecap.
What are the study designs (2) are appropriate for Sociological Study of human behavior?
Retrospective study and Cross-sectional study
Retrospective study allow retroactive study of large populations.
Cross-sectional studies use data obtained at a single time point to identify special features of the population under study.
What are the psychological constructs (3) used to describe human behavior?
Memory, Cognition and Personality
Memory - Psychological descriptions of human behavior include constructs that refer to underlying mental states and abilities.
Cognition - is a term for human thought processes that may behavior, including knowledge acquisition, reasoning, decision-making, and so on.
Personality - is a construct that psychologists use to describe relatively enduring tendencies that guide a person’s behavior in various settings.
What is an Adaptive Trait?
A genetic trait that helps an organism to maximize its reproductive success.
For example, in hummingbirds, a long bill can be an adaptive trait since it is both heritable and adaptive.
What is Directional Selection?
Directional selection is a mechanism of natural selection and does not happen by chance. Evolutionary Bottleneck definition is by chance.
What is the difference between Directional Selection and Evolutionary/Population/Genetic Bottleneck?
Evolutionary Bottleneck definition is by chance.
What is Evolutionary Bottleneck?
Evolutionary bottleneck is an extreme form of genetic drift in which a natural disaster reduces population size, changing the frequency of alleles present in the survivors.
What is Molecular Clock analysis?
The molecular clock is a figurative term for a technique that uses the mutation rate of biomolecules to deduce the time in prehistory when two or more life forms diverged. The biomolecular data used for such calculations are usually nucleotide sequences for DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequences for proteins.
Molecular clock analysis is not used to estimate mutation rates. It assumes that genes mutate at a relatively constant rate, and that mutation rate is used to probe aspects of a genome’s evolution.
Where are the major language centers of the brain localized?
The major centers of the brain involved in language processing and production are localized to the left hemisphere of the brain. Broca’s in left frontal lobe. Wernicke’s in left temporal lobe.
What is the Amygdala involved in the processing of?
The amygdala is the structure handling the processing of the emotions, memories, and motivation and can be found in the brain’s temporal lobe.
The amygdala is a collection of cells near the base of the brain. There are two, one in each hemisphere or side of the brain. This is where emotions are given meaning, remembered, and attached to associations and responses to them (emotional memories).
What functions are the Cerebellum involved with?
The cerebellum is primarily involved in the smoothing and fine-tuning of motor movements and posture.
What functions is the Superior Colliculus involved in?
The superior colliculus is a paired structure consisting of two superior colluculi involved in the processing of visual information and production of visual reflexes.
What hormones are produced by the Anterior Pituitary?
ACTH is produced by anterior pituitary. FLAT PEG.
How does Thyroxine affect metabolism?
Thyroxine is secreted by the thyroid to regulate metabolism. Excess thyroxine would speed up metabolism which would likely lead to increased hunger.
Where are the adrenal medulla and cortex located?
The adrenal medulla and cortex are situated atop the kidney, not the pancreas.
How is the -70mV resting membrane potential distributed charge-wise?
Know SAME DAVE mneumonic. Know that outside of neurons has positive charges and inside has negative charges. The resting membrane potential of a neuron is -70 mV, meaning that the outside carries more positive charge.
What is the difference between agonist and antagonist receptor interaction?
An agonist is a compound which will activate a receptor subtype despite not necessarily traditionally being associated as a receptor for that ligand, and induce receptor activity. An antagonist is a compound which will bind to a receptor but not produce any receptor activity. Therefore, an antagonist effectively inhibits a receptor.
Are the SNS and PNS simultaneously active on a target organ?
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems both have a “tone” at any given time- that is, they both have a certain non-zero amount to which they are acting on target organs. Neither is ever fully inactive. For example, during a period of rest perhaps the PNS is exerting a much stronger effect than the SNS. The SNS uses epinephrine and norepinephrine, whereas the PNS uses primarily acetylcholine.
What is the function of the prefrontal cortex and is it a part of the limbic system?
The role of the prefrontal cortex includes motivational and impulse-control processes that help us respond to limbic system changes, but it is not part of the limbic system.
Which hemisphere of the brain is largely more involved in language processing and analytical tasks?
The lobes and many structures of the brain are largely divisible into a “left and right” hemisphere. The left side of the frontal lobe of the brain, for example, contains Broca’s area. Therefore, it is appropriate to say that the left side of the brain is more involved in language processing than the right side. This holds true for several other properties – the left side, in general, is involved more heavily in analytical tasks than the right side.
What types of protection (3) does the spine and brain have?
The spine is protected from harm by fluid (cerebrospinal fluid), membranous meninges, and strong bones (vertebrae).
What does an fMRI show (2)?
fMRI is used to image both structure and function, by relying on the differences between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.
What impact does CRH have?
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) regulates release of cortisol. Excess of cortisol signify an increase in sympathetic tone.
What is a Quantitative Observational study?
A study in which researchers ask interns to discuss a technical topic as a group, and the coherence of each intern’s comments is rated on a numerical scale.
This is an example of a quantitative observational study, as verbal behavior is being assessed using numerical measures, but there is no independent variable manipulation.
Compare traits of a Qualitative vs Quantitative study?
Qualitative research is the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting non-numerical data, such as language. Qualitative research can be used to understand how an individual subjectively perceives and gives meaning to their social reality.
Qualitative data is defined as non-numerical data, such as text, video, photographs or audio recordings. This type of data can be collected using diary accounts or in-depth interviews, and analyzed using grounded theory or thematic analysis.
What is the difference between a Positive and Negative Control?
A negative control is a control group in an experiment that uses a treatment that isn’t expected to produce results. A positive control is a control group in an experiment that uses a treatment that is known to produce results.
A placebo drug is an example of a negative control, not a positive control.
What is a Moderating Variable?
A moderating variable, also called a moderator variable or simply M, changes the strength or direction of an effect between two variables x and y. In other words, it affects the relationship between the independent variable or predictor variable and a dependent variable or criterion variable.
What is a Confounding Variable?
A confounding variable, also called a confounder or confounding factor, is a third variable in a study examining a potential cause-and-effect relationship.
What is a Moderating Variable?
A moderating variable, also called a moderator variable or simply M, changes the strength or direction of an effect between two variables x and y. In other words, it affects the relationship between the independent variable or predictor variable and a dependent variable or criterion variable.
For the purposes of the MCAT, what is the best way to study heritability?
Studying identical twins raised apart provides insight into heritability, or the degree to which a certain disease is attributable to genetics rather than the environment. Because identical twins are virtually identical, genetically speaking, any variations between them should be primarily due to environmental factors. At the same time, similarities between them in characteristics such as incidence of specific diseases may be attributable to shared genes, since their environments differ. Heritability studies examine concordance rates, or the extent to which individuals with shared genes develop the same characteristics. In a heritability study, concordance rates for identical twins would be compared to those for less genetically-related siblings. When concordance rates are higher for identical twins than for other kinds of siblings, regardless of whether raised together or apart, the study provides strong evidence concerning heritability.
Did Max Weber contribute to the concept of “ideal bureacracy”?
Weber did define the characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy, the term “ideal” in this instance just means that these characteristics fit the definition of bureaucracy as closely as possible. An ideal bureaucracy is not necessarily the most desirable organizational system. In fact, Weber was aware that bureaucracies could be stifling and coined the phrase “iron cage of bureaucracy” to describe the stagnation that can occur in a bureaucratic system.
What is Normative Influence?
Normative influence occurs when one feels the urge to adopt the beliefs or behavior of the majority of a group in order to ‘fit in’ or feel accepted.
What is Groupthink?
Groupthink describes how interpersonal dynamics cause members of a group to behave or think irrationally and become intolerant of dissent.
What is Informational Influence?
Informational influence refers to new information or arguments provided in a group discussion that change a group member’s attitudes, beliefs, or behavior.
What is a Mind Guard? (Factor of Groupthink)
A mindguard is a member of the group who, in an attempt to preserve the central group idea, omits any information which may cause doubts to arise within the group.
What are the factors (8) of Groupthink?
Eight factors identified here can increase the susceptibility of a group to groupthink: mind guards, illusions of unanimity, illusions of morality, collective rationalization, illusions of vulnerability, self-censorship among dissenters, group pressure on dissenters, and excessive stereotyping of outgroup members.
What is Self-censorship? (Factor of Groupthink)
Dissenting group members elect not to share their opinions.
What is Pressure on Dissenters? (Factor of Groupthink)
Group members who hold majority views push back against minority members who express dissenting opinions.
What is Conformity?
Conformity describes how an individual’s actions or beliefs change in order to become more consistent with those of a group.
What is Foot-in-the-Door?
Foot-in-the-door is a technique in which agreement to small request is followed up by a larger request.
What is Low-Balling?
What Is Lowballing? A lowball offer is a term for an offer that is significantly below the seller’s asking price, or a quote that is deliberately lower than the price the seller intends to charge
What was the Milgram Experiment?
The Milgram experiment was a controversial experiment desiged to measure the extent to which people would obey an authority figure who was asking them to do something that they would presumably ordinarily not do.
In this experiment, each of a pair of individuals was assigned to be a “teacher” or a “learner.” The “teacher” did not know that the “learner” was actually a confederate who worked for the experimenter and was instructed to make mistakes during a learning task. The experimenter instructed the “teacher” to administer increasing levels of electrical shock to the “learner” when the latter made mistakes. (Shock was not actually administered.) The main result of the experiment was that many of the “teachers” ended up administering high levels of shock, simply because an authority figure (the experimenter) asked them to do so.
What was the Stanford Prison Experiment?
During the Stanford prison experiment, subjects were divided into “guards” and “prisoners”. Subjects assigned to be “guards” not only treated “prisoners” harshly and abusively, according to their views of the guard role, but also internalized and expressed negative beliefs about the prisoners.
Will violating an informal norm lead to imprisonment? How about a formal norm?
Violating an informal norm will never lead to imprisonment, while breaking a formal norm will always result in imprisonment.
What is difference between an Informal Norm, Folkway, More and Taboo?
Informal norms are unwritten expectations of society that influence of behaviors. Folkways are of relatively minimal importance; violating them won’t necessarily have consequences. Mores are treated more seriously; violating them may result in extreme disapproval. In contrast, violation of taboos may lead to hostility, ostracism, imprisonment, and/or other weighty consequences.
What is Anomie?
Anomie, also spelled anomy, in societies or individuals, a condition of instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values or from a lack of purpose or ideals.
What is Group Polarization?
Group polarization occurs when a group of individuals who show some extent of agreement on particular beliefs come to hold these beliefs even more strongly following group discussion. Group polarization is facilitated when a majority of the group is already in agreement. Group polarization is least likely when a group has no leader and is evenly dived on an issue before discussion.
What is Collective Rationalization?
Collective rationalization refers to the tendency of a group to invent reasons to justify group behavior, even when that behavior appears to be irrational.
What did the Milgram Experiment focus on?
The Milgram experiment focused on obedience.
Why is ATP hydrolysis favorable (2)?
The high concentration of negative charges in the three phosphates repel the gamma phosphate.
AND
Charge repulsion thermodynamically favors ADP + inorganic phosphate over ATP.
Due to the high concentration of negative charges (and the charge repulsion that results between the phosphates), the gamma phosphate is highly unstable. Therefore hydrolysis of the bond between the beta and gamma phosphates is thermodynamically favorable, which results in ADP and inorganic phosphate.
Why are glucose transporters necessary to get glucose inside the cell?
Glucose is large and hydrophilic, so it can’t cross the plasma membrane on its own.
Which GLUT transporter is considered to be “insulin dependent”?
GLUT4 is considered to be insulin dependent.
What brain structure is responsible for alertness?
The reticular formation is a set of interconnected nuclei that are located throughout the brainstem. It is not anatomically well defined, because it includes neurons located in different parts of the brain. The reticular formation may be best known for its role in promoting arousal and consciousness. This function is mediated by the reticular activating system (RAS), also known as the ascending arousal system.
What are (3) characteristics of someone who is comatose?
Lack of consciousness, Lack of response to light and Presence of involuntary motion
What are the characteristics of each sleep stage?
In stage 1 sleep, slow eye movements occur. In stage 2 sleep, eye movements stop and breathing and heart rate become slower. Delta waves, the slowest type of brain waves, emerge during stage 3 sleep. Dreaming primarily occurs during REM sleep.
What waves does meditation help to promote?
Meditation has been shown to promote alpha and theta waves in experienced practitioners. Beta waves are associated with alertness and are not promoted by meditation.
What receptor system does Alcohol most affect?
Alcohol’s primary mode of action is enhancing the action of GABA receptors, which is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Prolonged alcohol consumption can cause or contribute to what conditions (4)?
Prolonged alcohol consumption can cause or contribute to Liver disease, Cardiovascular disease, Korsakoff’s syndrome and Amnesia
Is Tetrahydrocannabinol the only cannabinoid capable of binding cannabinoid receptors in the brain?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the only psychoactive substance in marijuana, but it is just one of over a hundred cannabinoids in marijuana. All of these substances can and do bind with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
As a class of psychoactive drugs, stimulants can do what (3)?
Promote the release of neurotransmitters, Reduce the effects of neurotransmitters and Inhibit the reabsorption of neurotransmitters.
Stimulants possess multiple mechanisms of action, including the stimulation of neurotransmitter release, downregulation of the effects of inhibitory neurotransmitters, and inhibition of neurotransmitter reabsorption. Often, the same stimulant works through multiple pathways to alter both the release and reuptake of chemicals, including dopamine and norepinephrine.
What are the steps of Broadbent’s filter model of selective attention?
- Basic processing of stimuli for color, shape.
- Stimuli enter sensory buffer.
- Mind chooses stimuli to focus on.
- Remaining stimuli in buffer decay.
What are the experiments/experimental techniques used to support the Broadbent model of attention?
Shadowing and dichotic listening are both experimental techniques that provided support to the Broadbent model by showing that subjects process attended information faster than unattended information.
What are different physiological effects expected to occur as a result of sympathetic nervous system activation?
Dilate pupils
Inhibit Salivation
Increase Heartbeat
Relax Airways
Inhibit Activity of Stomach
Inhibit Gallbaldder
Inhibit Activity of Intestines
Secrete Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Relax Bladder
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder most commonly diagnosed in a person’s early 20s, that features both positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are defined by their “presence” – for example, hearing sounds that are not present are hallucinations, and new irrational beliefs are delusions. Disorganized thoughts are also a positive symptom. Negative symptoms are defined by the “absence” of something – for example, when a person has no outward reaction to an emotional stimulus, they are experiencing a flattened affect.
