U1 AOS1

Question 1

Define psychology

Answer 1

Psychology can be defined as the systematic study of the mind (mental processes) and human thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

Question 2

What are some perspectives used in psychology?

Answer 2

• behavioural
• cognitive
• sociocultural

Question 3

What is behaviour?

Answer 3

Behaviour is an actions or movement directly observable as it occurs.

Question 4

What is a mental process?

Answer 4

Indirectly observable; private and internal.

Question 5

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 5

A hypothesis is a testable prediction of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics

Question 6

What is the independent variable?

Answer 6

The independent variable is the thing being manipulated/changed

Question 7

What is the dependent variable?

Answer 7

The dependent variable is the thing that is being measured

Question 8

What is the aim?

Answer 8

The aim is what the researches intend to find out.

Question 9

Describe the role of the left hemisphere

Answer 9

The left hemisphere receives and processes sensations from the right side of the body, controls voluntary movements on the right side, verbal tasks, analysis and logical reasoning.

Question 10

Describe the role of the right hemisphere

Answer 10

The right hemisphere receives and processes sensations from the left side of the body, controls voluntary movements on the left side, non verbal tasks, spacial and visual thinking, and creativity.

Question 11

Explain the term plasticity.

Answer 11

Plasticity of the brain refers to the way the brain can be modified.

Question 12

What is the Brain vs Heart debate?

Answer 12

The Egyptians believed the heart held the mind and soul and was the source of all wisdom as well as memory, emotion, personality and all life forces. So it was left in its place inside the body.

• All these organs were considered essential to fully take part in the afterlife.
• The brain, however, was removed with an iron hook through the nostrils and thrown out. It was not considered an asset.

Question 13

What is the Mind Body Problem?

Answer 13

The mind–body problem involves the question of whether our mind and body are distinct, separate entities or whether they are one and the same thing.

Question 14

What is Phrenology?

Answer 14

Different parts of the brain had different functions. This concept is now known as localisation of brain function.
- The brain was composed of distinctive, separate parts and that each part had a different function.

Question 15

What is Split Brain Studies?

Answer 15

Split-brain surgery involves cutting the band of nerve tissue connecting the two hemispheres (corpus callosum)

Question 16

Describe CT Scan

Answer 16

Computerised Tomography

- medical scan/imaging technique that uses multiple x-ray measurements to produce images of the body.

Question 17

Is a CT scan functional or structural?

Answer 17

Structural

Question 18

What are the advantages of a CT Scan?

Answer 18

• relatively safe
• cost effective
• clear 2D images
• good to view brain structure
• good for identifying issues and abnormalities

Question 19

What are some disadvantages of the CT Scan?

Answer 19

• no information on brain function
• bad if frequently used
• black and white

Question 20

Describe MRI

Answer 20

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- medical imaging technique used in radiology and works by using strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients and radio waves.

Question 21

Is a MRI functional or structural

Answer 21

Structural

Question 22

What are some advantages of a MRI?

Answer 22

• detailed 3D coloured image

- uses harmless magnetic fields and radio waves

Question 23

What are some disadvantages of a MRI?

Answer 23

• expensive
• cant be used on people with metal inside
• no cognitive or motor function information
• slightly claustrophobic

Question 24

Describe a PET Scan

Answer 24

Positron Emission Tomography
- imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to visualise and measure changes in metabolic processes and other activity

Question 25

IS a PET Scan functional or structural?

Answer 25

Functional

Question 26

What are some advantages to a PET Scan?

Answer 26

- function and corresponding location - brain in action (drug influence) - mental function, comparison and measure

Question 27

What are some disadvantages to a PET Scan?

Answer 27

- expensive | - radioactive material (short time limit)

Question 28

Describe a fMRI

Answer 28

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging | - measures brain activity by detecting changes due to blood flow

Question 29

Is an fMRI functional or structural?

Answer 29

Functional

Question 30

What are some advantages to an fMRI?

Answer 30

- high resolution 3D images with 1mm accuracy - blood flow and oxygen factors - physical structure and function

Question 31

What are the nervous system functions?

Answer 31

``` The nervous system enables the brain to obtain information about what is going on inside and outside the body, and to respond appropriately. Its three main functions are to: - receive information - process information, - coordinate a response to information. ```

Question 32

What makes up the central nervous system?

Answer 32

The brain and spine

Question 33

What makes up the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 33

The rest of the body(nerves, skin, organs)

Question 34

What is the role of the brain?

Answer 34

it is responsible for virtually everything we think, feel and do.

Question 35

What is the role of the spinal cord?

Answer 35

it connects the brain to the peripheral nervous system and initiates spinal reflexes

Question 36

The peripheral nervous system has two branches, what are they?

Answer 36

Somatic and Autonomic

Question 37

What does the Somatic Nervous system do?

Answer 37

- carries messages from the sensory receptors in the body to the CNS, and motor messages from the CNS to the skeletal muscles

Question 38

What does the Autonomic nervous system do?

Answer 38

- connects CNS to internal organs and glands; self regulating - controls visceral muscles

Question 39

The autonomic nervous system has two branches, what are they?

Answer 39

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

Question 40

What does the Sympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 40

- prepares the body for action (fight, flight or freeze)

Question 41

What does the Parasympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 41

- clams the body after action