Test 1 Flashcards
What is psychology
The study of behavior and mental processes
-scientific, provides evidence
How are common sense and psychology related
most of the time psychology goes against common sense
what is a hypothesis
A prediction for an experiment
what is a correlation
A relationship between 2 or more things without reason. no control of variables
what is an experiment
a scientific procedure to make a discovery. controls variables
What discipline is responsible for providing the foundations of psychology
philosophy
-it has been questions that was never tested
what is psychodynamic (7 schools)
powerful inner desire/emotions and feelings
Behaviorism (7 schools)
environment and consequences
Humanism (7 schools)
the goodness of people
cognitive (7 schools)
thought processes
biological (7 schools)
brain and body function
evolutionary (7 schools)
adaptations for survival
sociocultural (7 schools)
society and culture
Naturalistic observation (Descriptive methods)
Observe and record data in natural setting
Case study (Descriptive methods)
Sinle unit in great depth over a long period
Survey research (Descriptive methods)
Large number of people with questionnaires
Correlational research (Descriptive methods)
Measure 2 or more variables as they occur naturally (range from -1 to +1)
Positive correlation
both variables increase together (higher number is stronger)
Negative correlation
One variable increases, one decreases (higher number is stronger)
why does correlation not equal causation
- correlation tells us how variables are related and the degree/strength of that relationship
- not manipulating variables
- extrenous variables
which variable in an experiment do you manipulate
Independent variable
Which variable in an experiment do you measure
Dependent
what does random assignment ensure
equal distribution of qualities
What makes a test reliable
its consistency
Expain the process of how a neuron passes info to another neuron
Neurons communicate using electrical impulses. There is a gap called the presynaptic, sending neuron, and the postsynaptic, receiving neuron. the axon in the presynaptic neuron sends signals to the neurotransmitters which decide if they should fire or not. these neurotransmitters can bind to receptor sites on dendrites. if the neurotransmitter is unable to bind to the specific shape or there are already too many known neurotransmitters the presynaptic takes back the neuron through reuptake
Frontal lobe
Front of the brain