Exam 1

Why is replication important in psychological study?

Replication=Confirmation makes sure many samples are used to make testing more accurate.

Compare and contrast the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous System.

Our autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls our glands and our internal organ muscles. The ANS influences functions such as glandular activity, heart-beat and digestion. (Autonomic means "self-regulating") The dual functions of the autonomic nervous system: 1. Sympathetic nervous system- The autonomic nervous system controls the more autonomous (or self-regulating) internal functions. Its sympathetic division arouses and expends energy. 2. Parasympathetic nervous system- Its parasympathetic division calms and conserves energy, allowing routine maintenance activity.

Contrast the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Our peripheral nervous system (PNS) has two components- somatic and autonomic. Our somatic nervous system enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles, also called the skeletal nervous system.

What is a positive correlation? A negative correlation?

Positive: two factors increase or decrease together Negative: one item increases as the other decreases

What is the case study method?

Case Study: a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

What is critical thinking and why is it important to the field of psychology?

Critical thinking examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

What is a random sample and how is this type of sample beneficial?

Each person in the population has an equal chance of being chosen. Randomization helps control bias.

Describe Weber's law.

Each sense has its own constant ratio that determines its different threshold. Just noticeable differences are proportional to the size of the original stimulus

What is subliminal perception?

It is a registration of the stimuli which is too weak or too quick to be able to influence the conscious of a person.

What is a difference threshold?

Minimum difference between two stimuli that can be detected 50% of the time, Just noticeable difference

What are Zenar cards?

Zenar cards are cards used to conduct experiments for extrasensory perception

What is sensory adaptation?

A natural lessening of awareness to unchanging conditions

What is a reflex?

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.

What is perceptual constancy?

Although light and distance change, we know that the objects themselves aren't changing

Detail the definition of psychology by focusing on its three primary components.

Behaviour- Anything an organism does-any action we can observe and record Mental processes- The internal, subjective experiences we infer from behaviour-sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs and feelings.

Define bottom up and top down processing and provide examples of each.

Bottom up: Sensation Analysis that begins with sensory receptors and works up to the brain's integration of sensory information Physical Building data driven Example: Hearing = sound waves, Vision = dependent upon light energy Top down: Perception Process guided by higher level mental processes that construct perceptions based on experiences and expectations

What is the primary difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Clinical psychology is a brand of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders. Psychiatry is a brand of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy.

Describe the ESP research conducted by Layton & Turnbull (1975).

Computer generated randomized list of 100 digits (1,2,3,4,5) 100 positions By chance, 1 in 5 correct (20%) results: 20.66 if told ESP was beneficial 19.49 if told ESP was harmful

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Where is the thalamus located and what is its function?

The brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

What is naturalistic observation? What are its limits?

a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

What is a neuron?

An individual cell within the nervous system

What is the survey method?

Survey: for obtaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

What is the scientific method?

A self-correcting process for asking questions and observing natures answers: Theories, Hypotheses, Research/Observation

What is a perceptual set?

A tendency to perceive or notice some aspects of the available sensory data and ignore others.

Describe the differences between a clinical (applied) versus an experimental (basic research) psychologist.

Applied research is the scientific study that aims to solve practical problems. Basic research is pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Describe the various methods of knowing that were discussed in class.

Authority, Reason, Observation, Common Sense

What is the difference between basic and applied research

Basic Research: Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base. Applied Research: Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

List some of the activities in which clinical psychologists engage.

Clinical psychologists assess and treat people with mental, emotional, and behavior disorders. Both counseling and clinical psychologists administer and interpret tests, provide counseling therapy, and sometimes conduct basic and applied research.

Describe the three research methods used by psychologists that were discussed in class.

Descriptive: involves looking at detailed data and observing subjects Correlational: studies the relationship between variables and the levels of interaction between the variables Experimental: finding answers to questions by isolating cause and effect. Experiments enable researchers to isolate the effects of one or more factors by 1. Manipulating the factors of interest and 2. Holding constant (controlling) other factors.

Briefly describe the development of psychology as a science (e.g., psychology's roots).

Early researchers defined psychology as "the science of mental life". In the 1920s, under the influence of John B. Watson and the behaviorists, the field's focus changed to the "scientific study of observable behavior". Behaviorism become one of psychology's two major forces well into the 1960s. However, the second major force of Freudian psychology, along with the influences of humanistic psychology and cognitive psychology, revived interest in the study of mental processes. Psychology is now defined a the science of behavior and mental processes.

Describe the ESP research conducted by Bem and Honorton (1994).

Ganzfeld procedure: putting someone in a chamber (outside sensory stimulation is reduced) Sender looks at target picture chosen randomly from set of possible targets (4 pics) After 30 minutes, subject tries to match image

Describe the organizational structure of the brain discussed in class (i.e., hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain) and how this organization reflects evolutionary patterns.

Hindbrain: Medulla, pons, cerebellum, reticular activating system Midbrain: Tectum and tegmentum Forebrain: Thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex

Discuss psychology's various levels of analysis as described by the author of your text

Levels of analysis- The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon. There are three main levels of analysis that integrate to form a biopsychosocial approach: Biological, Psychological and Social-cultural. Biological influences: Genetic predispositions (genetically influenced traits), Genetic mutations, Natural selection of adaptive traits and behaviours passed down through generations, Genes responding to the environment. Psychological influences:Learned fears and other learned expectations, Emotional responses, Cognitive processing and perceptual interpretations. Social-cultural influences:Presence of others, Cultural, societal and family expectations, Peer and other group influences, Compelling models (such as in the media).

Describe the overall organization of the nervous systems within the body (i.e., the central and peripheral nervous systems).

Nervous system- The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS)- The brain and the spinal cord. (The body's decision maker) The peripheral nervous system (PNS)- is responsible for gathering information and for transmitting CNS decisions to other parts.

Define the structures of the limbic system as well as their functions.

Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres;associated with emotions and drives.

What is the nature-nurture debate

Our growing understanding of biology and experience has fed psychology's most enduring debate. The nature-nurture issue centers on the relative contributions of genes and experience, and their interaction in specific environments. The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

What is the distinction between sensation and perception?

Sensation: The process by which receptors in our sensory organs and the nervous system receive and detect stimuli Perception: The process by which information about detected stimuli is organized, interpreted, and transformed into something with meaning

What is the difference between afferent and efferent neural pathways?

Sensory neurons (afferent)- They carry messages from the body's tissues and sensory receptors inward to the brain and the spinal cord for processing. Motor neurons (efferent)- They carry instructions from the central nervous system out to the body's muscles and glands.

List and describe the major subfields of psychology including both the applied fields as well as the basic research fields.

Some psychologists conduct basic research that builds psychology's knowledge base. Such researchers include biological psychologists who explore the links between brain and mind, developmental psychologists who study our changing abilities from womb to tomb, cognitive psychologists who experiment with how we perceive things and solve problems, personality psychologists who investigate our persistent traits, and social psychologists who explore how we view and affect one another. These and other psychologists may conduct applied research, tackling practical problems. Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychology's concepts and methods in the workplace to help organizations and companies select and train employees, boost morale and productivity, design products and implement systems.

What is an absolute threshold?

Starts at zero Weakest stimuli that can be detected 50 percent of the time State of your body and mind can influence the ability to detect

What is a hypothesis?

Testable predictions to check a theory

What is ESP?

The controversial claim that perception can occur apart from sensory input; includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. Telepathy: mind-to-mind communication Clairvoyance: perceiving remote events, such as a house on fire in another state Precognition: perceiving future events, such as an unexpected death in the next month definition in class: Methods of gaining knowledge of the world around us that doesn't involve normal senses (e.g. 6th sense)

What is the standard definition of psychology?

The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes

Describe the "scientific attitude" referred to by the author of your text.

To be skeptical but not cynical, open but not gullible

What is color constancy?

We see the world in stable colors even when the data arriving at our photoreceptors is changing Things are always the same despite shadows etc.