Test 1 Flashcards
Introspection
the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes
Behaviorism
the theory that human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning, without appeal to thoughts or feelings
Scientific attitude
a curiosity to know how and why things happen with an open mind and governed by facts
Hypothesis
a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Operational definition
process of making a abstract psychological concept (e.g., memory, attitude, intelligence, feeling) publicly observable
Experiment
The experimental method involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable
Independent variables-and example
The independent variable is the characteristic of a psychology experiment that is manipulated or changed. For example, in an experiment looking at the effects of studying on test scores, studying would be the independent variable.
Dependent variables-and example
The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured in an experiment. For example, in a study on the effects of tutoring on test scores, the dependent variable would be the participants test scores.
contrast between experimental research and other form of reserch
experimental research concerns relationships between variables. Unlike correlational research, however, experimental research provides strong evidence for causal interpretations.
Random Sampling
how to select your participants in the study from all the people in the world
Random Assignment
how to assign selected sample to the conditions (control vs experimental)
Statistical Reasoning
Statistical reasoning is the way people reason with statistical ideas and make sense of statistical information. Statistical reasoning may involve connecting one concept to another
Anatomical structure of individual neurons
Cell body, Dendrites, Axon, Neural impulse, Terminal branches of axon, Myelin sheath.
Cell body
the cells life support center
Dendrites
Receive messages from other cells
Axon
passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands,
Neural impulse
electrical signal traveling down the axon
Myelin sheath
cover the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
Action potential
traveling positive charge-A neural impulse. A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon’s membrane.
Resting potential
is the membrane potential that would be maintained if there were no action potentials, synaptic potentials, or other active changes in the membrane potential.
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals released from the sending neuron travel across the synapse
Ach (Acetylcholine)
Function- Enables mucles action, learning and memory
Malfunctions- Alzheimers disease
Dopamine
Function-Influences movement, learning, attention, emotion
Malfunction-schizophrenia
Serotonin
Function- affects mood, hunger,sleep, arousal
Malfunction-Depression