Psychology Flashcards
empirical approach
knowledge gained through direct observation and measurement
limitation of case study
resource intensive, it’s anecdotal and may not generalize to population
negative correlation
as one variable increases, the other variable decreases
positive correlation
as one variable increases, so does the other
no correlation
the direction of one variable had no relationship to the direction of the other variable
limitation of correlation
can’t draw causal conclusions because there could be a third variable and the bidirectionally issue
definition of psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
independent variable (IV)
variable that is manipulated/controlled by the experimenter; affects dependent variable.
Dependent Variable (DV)
variable that is manipulated by the Independent Variable.
correlations
can make predictions
experiments
can draw conclusions
Biological Psychology
Examines the link between biological activity and psychological events
Nervous System
complex combination of cells that allows us to gain information about what’s going on inside and outside our bodies and respond appropriately
The two main parts of the Peripheral Nervous System
Somatic and Autonomic
Function of Somatic Nervous System
Carries sensory and motor muscle information to and from the CNS
Function of Autonomic Nervous System
Controls bodily functions not consciously directed
Two main parts of the Autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
function of Sympathetic Nervous System
Expending energy and the fight or flight system
function of Parasympathetic Nervous System
Replenishing energy and Resting and the Digestive System
Neurons
Building blocks of the nervous system
functions of neurons
processing and storing information
size of neurons
fraction of inch to several feet
Dendrites
rootlike structures attached to cell body, receives impulses
Soma
cell body of neuron, contains nucleus, controls center of cell
Axon
long thin part of the neuron and transmits info to other neurons, muscles or glands
Myelin Sheath
goes around axon of some cells to speed up information transmission; made of a fatty waxy substance
when does myelination happen
throughout the first 25 years of life; allows for greater muscle control, judgement, and self control
Axon Terminal Buttons
Bulblike structures around axons; they store all of the chemical messengers
Reuptake
when neuron that fired takes back neurotransmitters
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
drug used for depression because in a depressed brain, reuptake of serotonin occurs too prematurely
Neurotransmitters are aka
chemical messengers are aka
Serotonin (Rastafarian Neurotransmitter)
Mood, Hunger, Sleep, Arousal
Neurotransmitter associated with depression
Serotonin
MDMA
floods brain with serotonin
Ritalin and Adderall
Drugs that inhibit reuptake of dopamine
Neurotransmitter associated with Schizophrenia
Dopamine
Tolerance
when the brain of a person adapts to offsets a drug’s effects
Withdrawal
Discomfort and distress following the discontinuation of an addictive drug
Average weight of an adult brain
3 pounds
Parts of the Brain stem
Medulla, Pons, and Reticular Formation
Function of Pons
Coordinating Movement
Function of Medulla
Heart rate and breathing
Function of Reticular Formation
Filters incoming stimuli and controls degree of wakefulness
Function of Cerebellum
Controls Balance, Coordination, and Voluntary movement
Function of Thalamus
Sensory switchboard; transfers sensory info to and from higher and lower brain
Function of Limbic system
emotion and behavior, contains Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Hypothalamus
Function of Hippocampus
forms new memories
Function of Amygdala
Involved with Emotion
Function of Hypothalamus
Regulates motivated behaviors; Controls Autonomic nervous system (Sympathetic and Parasympathetic)