Unit 3: Area of Study 1 - How does the Nervous System Enable Psychological Functioning? Flashcards
What is an Experiment?
Is a type of Research Method in which a Researcher tests whether a Variable influences or causes a change to another Variable under controlled conditions
What is an Independent Variable?
Is a Variable that is manipulated in order to test its effects on the Dependent Variable
What is a Dependent Variable?
Is a Variable in an Experiment the Researcher chooses to measure in order to assess the effect/s of the Independent Variable/s
What is an Extraneous Variable?
Is any variable other than the Independent Variable that can cause a change on the Dependent Variable and therefore affect the validity of the results in an unwanted way
The Aim of Research
Is the purpose of the research
Control Group
Is the group in an experiment that is not exposed to the Independent Variable (IV)
Experimental Group
Is the group in an experiment that is exposed to the Independent Variable (IV)
Operationalised Hypothesis
Is a detailed Hypothesis that is written in one sentence but gives you detailed information about the Independent Variable, the Dependent Variable, the subjects used and the direction the study is going to take
Experimental Methods
- Brain Imaging and Recording Technologies
- Case Studies
- Experiments
- Observational Studies
- Self Reports
Brain Imaging and Recording Technologies
Are scientific technologies that gain structural or functional images of an active Brain
Advantage of Brain Imaging and Recording Technologies
These technologies provide highly specific information about the Brain and its functions
Disadvantages of Brain Imaging and Recording Technologies
- These technologies are expensive to use
- The findings can be difficult to generalise to the wider population, as no 2 Brains are alike
Case Studies
Is a detailed study on a single person or a small group of people
Advantage of Case Studies
It allows researchers to gain very specific information about a particular occurrence or phenomenon
Disadvantages of Case Studies
- Case Studies can be time-consuming to undertake
- It is difficult to generalise findings from one person to the wider population
Experiments
Is when a cause and effect relationship is measured, by testing the effect of the Independent Variable (IV) on the Dependent Variable (DV)
Advantages of Experiments
- They are easy to set-up and run
- It is easy to replicate
Disadvantages of Experiments
- They are time-consuming to undertake
- Can create unrealistic situations
Observational Studies
Involves an individual observing another individual or a group of people in a natural environment, and recording observations about the behaviour they witness
Advantage of Observational Studies
They eliminate the Extraneous Variable of Artificially
Disadvantage of Observational Studies
The recordings are subject to Observer Bias, where the observer sees what they want or expect to see, which may result in a biased representation of the behaviour
Self-Reports
Is when people are asked to comment on their own thoughts, emotions and beliefs by answering a series of questions on a particular topic
Advantage of Self-Reports
Allows researchers to collect subjective data, that cannot be measured, which can gain insight into and individual
Disadvantage of Self-Reports
Difficult to compare data due to its subjective nature
Ethical Considerations in Research
- Confidentiality
- Debriefing
- Informed Consent
- Voluntary Participation
- Withdrawal Rights
Single-Blind Procedure
Is where the Participants of an experiment are not aware of the condition of the experiment to which they have been allocated and therefore the experimental treatment
Double-Blind Procedure
Is where both the Participants and the Researcher directly involved with the Participants are unaware of the conditions to which the Participants have been allocated
Sampling
Is the process of selecting Participants from a Population
Types of Sampling
- Convenience Sampling
- Random Sampling
- Stratified Sampling
- Random Stratified Sampling
Convenience Sampling
Is a quick and easy way of selecting Participants. It involves selecting Participants based on the Researcher’s accessibility to them, on their availability
Advantages of Convenience Sampling (List 2)
- It is convenient
- It does not require forward planning
- It is quick to administer
Disadvantage of Convenience Sampling
It is highly biased
Examples of Convenience Sampling (List 1)
Sampling only one class in a school
- Going to the local supermarket and surveying the people found there
Random Sampling
Is a carefully planned and systematic method selecting Participants for a study. Random Sampling ensures that every member of a Population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample being used in the study
Advantages of Random Sampling (List 2)
- Quick and inexpensive
- Not difficult to set up
- Not biased
Disadvantage of Random Sampling
May be biased
Examples of Random Sampling (List 1)
- Pulling names out of a container
- Allocating a number to each person in the Population then using a random number generator to select the Sample
Stratified Sampling
Involves breaking the Population into groups based on characteristics that they share
Advantages of Stratified Sampling (List 1)
- It should be representative of the Population
- It should be equal quantities of particular characteristics
Disadvantage of Stratified Sampling
It is time-consuming to undertake
Example of Stratified Sampling
If there are more boys than girls in a school, a Stratified Sample of this Population would also include more boys than girls
Random Stratified Sampling
Involves breaking the Population into groups and then selecting the Sample from each group randomly
Advantage of Random Stratified Sampling
It obtains a Representative Sample that is free from bias
Disadvantage of Random Stratified Sampling
It is time-consuming to undertake
Types of Research Designs
- Independent Groups Design
- Matched Participants Design
- Repeated Measures Design
Independent Groups Design
Is when each participant is randomly allocated to one of two (or more) entirely separate group conditions
Matched Participants Design
Is when each participant in one condition ‘matches’
a participant in the other condition/s on one or
more participant variables of relevance
Repeated Measures Design
Is when each participant is in both the Experimental
and Control groups
What is the Human Nervous System Comprised of?
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Subdivisions of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Brain
- Spinal Cord
Function of the Central Nervous System
To carry messages to and from the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Function of the Brain
Is responsible for everything we think, feel and do
Function of the Spinal Cord
To connect the Brain to the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
To carry messages to and from the Central Nervous System (CNS)
Subdivisions of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Function of the Somatic Nervous System
To carry messages from Sensory Receptors to the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Motor Messages from the Central Nervous System (CNS) to Skeletal Muscles
Function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
To connect the Central Nervous System (CNS) to internal Organs, such as the Heart and Glands, such as the Sweat Gland
Subdivisions of the Autonomic Nervous System
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
Function of the Sympathetic Nervous System
To activate internal Muscles, Organs and Glands to prepare the body for rigorous activity or to deal with a stressful or threatening situation
Function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System
To help maintain the internal body environment in a steady, balanced state of normal functioning, after the stressful or threatening situation has passed
Spinal Reflex
Refers to an unconscious, involuntary and an automatically occurring response to a certain stimuli, without any involvement of the Brain
Sensory Neuron
Receives and carries Sensory Information from both the Internal and External Environments and transmits it to the Central Nervous System (CNS)
Motor Neuron
Carries messages from the Central Nervous System (CNS) to Cells in Skeletal Muscles, Organs and Glands, to stimulate activity
Interneuron
Carries messages between Sensory and Motor Neurons within the Central Nervous System (CNS)
Axon
Transmits Neural Information to other Neurons or Cells
Axon Terminal
Are branches at the end of Axons that link with Dendrites of other Neurons, and release Neurotransmitters from the tips of the Terminals
Dendrites
Is an extension of a Neuron that detects and receives information from other Neurons and transmits it to the Soma
Myelin
A white, fatty layer that covers and insulates the Axon
Soma
Contains the Nucleus and transmits information to Axon Terminals
Terminal Buttons
Stores Neurotransmitter and carries Chemical Messages to other Neurons
Conscious Response
Is a reaction to a Sensory Stimulus that involves awareness
Unconscious Response
Is a reaction to a Sensory Stimulus that does not involve awareness
Role of Dopamine
Dopamine plays a role in coordinating Movement, Learning and Behaviours that are rewarding. It allows a smooth and coordinated function of Muscles and movement when at rest during activity
Lock-and-Key Process
Refers to how different Neurotransmitter Molecules fit specifically into certain Receptor Sites
Glutamate
Is the main Excitatory Neurotransmitter in the Brain which speeds up Neural Activity and plays a role in learning
GABA
Is the main Inhibitory Neurotransmitter in the Brain which slows down Neural Activity and plays a role in regulating Anxiety and relaxation
Parkinson’s Disease
A chronic and degenerative Neurological condition that affect Motor and Non-Motor functions over time, due to the loss of Dopamine-producing Neurons in the Substantia Nigra
Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (List 2)
- Tremors
- Slowness of Voluntary Movement
- Stiff Muscles
- Postural Instability
Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (List 2)
- Speech Problems
- Slowness of Thinking
- Impaired Planning and Decision-Making
Eustress
Is a positive Psychological response to a Stressor
Distress
Is a negative response to a Stressor
Sources of Stress
- Daily Pressures
- Life Events
- Acculturate Stress
- Major Stressors
- Catastrophes
Daily Pressures
Is a type of Stressor involving a little problem of everyday living that is irritative
Example of a Daily Pressure
Being stuck in traffic
Life Events
Is a type of Stressor in everyday life, involving change that forces an individual to adapt to new circumstances
Example of a Life Event
Changing Careers
Acculturative Stress
Is the stress that people experience in trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it for a considerable period of time
Example of Acculturative Stress
Relocating to a new Country
Major Stressors
Is a type of Stressor that involves an event that is very stressful or disturbing for almost everybody who experiences it
Example of a Major Stressor
Home Burglary
Catastrophes
Is an event that causes widespread damage or suffering
Example of a Catastrophe
Bushfire
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Is a 3 stage Physiological response to a Stressor
Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Alarm Reaction
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
Stages of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Alarm Reaction
Is the first stage of the General Adaption Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary stage of shock, then countershock, following the initial exposure to a Stressor
Stages of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Resistance
Is the second stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, when the body’s resistance to the particular Stressor develops and rises above its normal levels in order to cope with and adapt to the Stressor
Stages of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Exhaustion
Is the third stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome when the body can no longer sustain resistance and the effects of a Stressor can no longer be dealt with, resulting in the Organism becoming weak and more vulnerable to physical and Mental Disorders
Strengths of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) (List 1)
- The model identifies Biological processes associated with the body’s Stress response
- It is influential through its description and explanation of potential detrimental effects of the Model, following the exposure to a persistent Stressor
Weaknesses of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) (List 2)
- It assumes that everybody has the same general and predictable automatic Physiological responses to any kind of Stressor
- GAS does not fully take account of or explain individual differences in Psychological responses to a Stressor
- GAS also tends to understate the roles of bodily systems other than the Endocrine System in the Stress Response
- GAS overlooks our Psychological response to different types of Stressors
- It does not take into account the Cognitive aspects of the Stress Response, specifically the role of the Brain in interpreting a situation or event as stressful
Fight-Flight-Freeze Response
Is an involuntary, physical response to a sudden and immediate threat
Fight Response
Is when an individual confronts and fights off the threat
Flight Response
Is when the individual escapes the threat by running away to safety
Freeze Response
Is when an individual keeps absolutely still and silent so they avoid being detected
The Sympathetic Nervous System in the Fight-Flight-Freeze Response (List 3)
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased breathing rate
- Increased Glucose secretion by the liver
- Dilation of the pupils
The Role of of Cortisol in the Fight-Flight-Freeze Response
- Increases Blood Pressure
- Increases Blood Sugar
- Enhances metabolism
Types of Stressors
- Internal Stressors
- External Stressors
Internal Stressor
Is a Stressor that originates within the individual
External Stressor
Is a Stressor that originates outside the individual from situations and events in the environment
Approach Coping Strategy
Is an effort to cope with Stress by confronting the casual Stressor and dealing directly with it and its effects
Avoidant Coping Strategy
Is an effort to cope with Stress by avoiding the casual Stressor and indirectly dealing with it and its effects
Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping
It is a model that proposes that Stress involves an encounter between an individual and their External Environment, and that a Stress Response depends on the individual’s evaluation of the relevance of the Stressor to their wellbeing and their ability to cope with it
Strengths of Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (List 3)
- Focuses on Psychological detriments of the Stress Response over which we have control
- Emphasises the potential nature and individuality of the Stress Response
- Views Stress as an interaction with the environment in which the individual has an active role
- Respects personal appraisals of a situation, thereby interpreting the situation from an individual’s perspective
- Explains why individuals respond in different ways to the same types of Stressors
- Allows for the fact that Stressors and the circumstances under which they occur can change over time
- Allows us to change our thinking about a Stressor and our response
- Proposes different methods for managing Psychological responses to Stressors
Weaknesses of Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (List 3)
- Difficult to test through experimental research because of the subjective nature of the individual responses to Stressors
- Individuals may not always be conscious of all the factors causing them to experience a Stress Response
- We can experience a Stress Response without ever having thought about a situation or event
- Overlooks Psychological responses to a Stressor
- Primary and Secondary Appraisals can interact with one another and are often undertaken simultaneously
- Primary and Secondary Appraisals are difficult to isolate for study as separate Variables
Primary Appraisal
Is the evaluation of the event and whether anything is at stake in this encounter
Secondary Appraisal
Is the evaluation of our ability to control or overcome the situation we are in
Exercise
Is physical activity that is usually planned and performed to improve or maintain one’s physical condition
