PSYC 2301 Final
What is the strongest possible numeric relationship between two variables?
+/- 1
Describe the following approach to psychology: Social Cognitive Theory
Environmental conditions: thoughts modify the impact of environment on behavior; Imitation/ modeling. Albert Bandura
What is the responsibility/function of the Autonomic Nervous System?
Communicates with the body's internal organs; monitors involuntary processes including breathing, heart rate, and digestion; divided into two parts
What are the 4 characteristics of the Nervous System?
Complexity, Integration, Adaptability, Electrochemical transmission
What is the responsibility/function of the Somatic Nervous System?
Consists of sensory nerves; conveys info from the skin and muscles to the CNS about voluntary conditions such as pain and temperature; motor nerves then tell muscles what to do
Define the following parts of a neuron: Nucleus
Contains neuron specific information that is shared with other neurons.
Define Transduction
Converting sensory stimuli to neural impulses, sent along to the brain.
Define Corpus Callosum
Bundle of neural fibers that connects the brain's two hemispheres.
What is the responsibility/function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
Calms the body; conserves energy.
Explain how "Noise" interferes with absolute threshold
Can impair our ability to perceive accurately.
Define the following parts of a neuron: Soma
Cell body.
Ions
Charged particles that are moved across the cell membrane.
Define and explain Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers released by neurons Travel across the synapse Allow neurons to communicate with one another
Control group
Comparison group, treated like experimental, but not manipulated.
Define Sample Bias
Research participants are unrepresentative of the larger population.
Confidentiality
A principle of professional ethics requiring providers of mental health care or medical care to limit the disclosure of a patient's identity, his or her condition or treatment, and any data entrusted to professionals during assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Debriefing
A researcher explains the purpose of the study, explains the use of deception (if any was used), encourages the participant to ask questions about the study, and allows the researcher to address any harm to the participant that may have resulted from their participation in the study.
What is the weakest possible numeric relationship between 2 variables?
0
Placebo Effect
A participant's expectations or beliefs, rather than the actual drug or treatment, influences the experimental outcome.
Who is Phineas Gage? What happened to him and what was the result?
25-year-old railroad worker September 1848 Head injury when a charge of blasting powder drove an iron rod in his face He recovered; Lived another 12 years Injured frontal lobe Affected his personality Became irresponsible and rowdy
5 types of descriptive research: Meta-Analysis
A statistical technique for combining analyzing data from many studies in order to determine overall trends.
Define Sample
A (representative) section of the group.
Neural Impulse
A brief electric surge that carries the neuron's message.
Theory
A broad idea or set of closely related ideas that attempts to explain certain observations. (Why)
Define the following parts of a neuron: Myelin sheath
A layer of fat cells that encases/covers the axon to increase accuracy and speed of transmission.
Define/Explain what a Correlation Coefficient. Use the terms magnitude and direction in your explanation.
A number between 0 and 1 that indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between 2 variables
4 lobes of the brain: Temporal
Above the ear; involved in hearing, language processing, and memory.
Informed Consent
An ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.
Hypothesis
An idea that is a testable prediction, predicts an outcome.
5 types of descriptive research: Case Study
An in-depth look at a single individual (Rare condition, Interviews, Sometimes a small group).
Define the term variable.
Any factor that can vary or change and can be obsereved, measured, and verified
What is the responsibility/function of the Sympathetic Nervous System?
Arouses the body; mobilizes energy during times of stress.
4 lobes of the brain: Parietal
At the top; Registers spatial location, attention, receives & interprets bodily sensation.
4 lobes of the brain: Occipital
Back of the head; deals with vision & visual perception.
What are the 4 aspects of Scientific Thinking?
Be curious, be skeptical, be objective, think critically.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Trait View
Behavior and personality are products of enduring psychological characteristics.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Behavioral Approach
Behavior shaped by the environment; Rewards and punishments mold behavior. John B. Watson & B.F. Skinner
4 lobes of the brain: Frontal
Behind forehead; control of voluntary muscles, motor control, intelligence, and personality.
What structures make up the Central Nervous System?
Brain and Spinal Cord
Describe the following approach to psychology: Biological View
Brain and nervous system; physical aspects.
Define the following parts of a neuron: Dendrites
Branch like structures that collect/receive information from neighboring information and orient it (bring it back) toward the cell.
What are the 3 types of research data collection methods?
Descriptive, Correlational, Experimental.
Define Sensation
Detecting & collecting stimulus energies from the environment; stimuli are physical energy such as light, sound, heat.
Main classes of sensory receptors: Chemoreception
Detection of chemical stimuli, perceived as smell and taste.
Main classes of sensory receptors: Photoreception
Detection of light, perceived as sight.
Main classes of sensory receptors: Mechanoreception
Detection of pressure, vibration, and movement, perceived as touch, hearing, and balance.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Health Psychology
Devoted to understanding how people stay well, why they become ill, and how to cope with illness.
How can experimenter bias and participant bias be alleviated?
Double-Blind Experiment: neither the experimenter nor the participant are aware of groups.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Developmental View
Emphasizes change that occurs across the lifespan.
Random assignment
Equal chance for participants to be assigned to either group.
Define the following parts of a neuron: Synapses
Exchange points where information is shared between the axon of one neuron and dendrites of surrounding neurons.
What is experimenter bias?
Experimenter's expectations influence the outcome of research.
Norepinephrine
Function: Attention, arousal, learning, memory, dreaming, emotion, stress Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstacy (MDMA), adderall (ADHD) Known or Suspected Effects: Low levels associated with depression; high levels linked with agitated, manic states
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Function: Emotional arousal, memory Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Amphetamines, ecstacy (MDMA), cocaine Known or Suspected Effects: Increases metabolism of glucose necessary for energy release
Serotonin
Function: Emotional states, dreaming, impulse control, appetite, sensory perception, arousal, temperature regulation, pain suppression Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Ecstacy (MDMA), LSD, cocaine, SSRIs, like Prozac (depression) Known or Suspected Effects: Linked with impulsivity; undersupply associated with depression
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Function: Learning, anxiety regulation, major role in inhibitory messages Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Acohol, GHB, rohypnol, valium (anxiety) Known or Suspected Effects: Undersupply linked to seizures and insomnia; tranquilizing drugs, like Valium, increase inhibitory effects and thereby decrease anxiety
Acetylcholine
Function: Learning, attention, sleeping, memory, muscle contraction Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Nicotine, amphetamines, LSD, PCP, marijuana Known or Suspected Effects: Neurons producing ACh deteriorate; decreased ACh plays a suspected role in Alzheimer's disease
Glutamate
Function: Learning, movement, memory, major role in excitatory messages Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Alcohol, phencyclidine (PCP) (mind-altering drug), ketamine (anesthetic) Known or Suspected Effects: Improves learning and memory; low levels linked to anxiety, depression, migraines, and seizures
Dopamine
Function: Movement, emotion, learning, attention Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, GHB, PCP, marijuana, ecstacy (MDMA), L-Dopa (Parkinsons), chlorpromazine (schizophrenia) Known or Suspected Effects: Oversupply linked with schizophrenia; undersupply linked with Parkinson's disease; key role in addiction and the reward system
Endorphins
Function: Pain perception, positive emotions Examples of Agonist/Antagonist Drugs: Heroin, morphine, oxycodone (treatments for pain) Known or Suspected Effects: Decreases pain perception; improves/increases mood, memory, learning, blood pressure, appetite, sexual activity
Experimental group
Group is manipulated.
Why are neurons important?
Human brain contains about 100 billion neurons; Most neurons are developed early in life.
What is the purpose/goal of correlational research?
Identify the strength of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics. The greater the strength, the greater the prediction. Does not indicate cause/effect: be cautious with results.
Placebo
Inactive substance or fake treatment; mimics the IV but isn't really the IV; sugar pill.
Define Split-Brain Patients
Individuals who have had the corpus callosum surgically severed; Formally a treatment for seizures.
What is the purpose of the experimental design?
Involves manipulation and control of variables to determine cause of behavior (AKA Cause/effect).
What are the basic duties of: Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC; Therapy, Research, testing.
Other careers
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology LSSP, Case Manager, Social Worker LMSW or LCSW, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor LCDC, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT
What are the basic duties of: Psychiatrist
MD; Prescribe medication, light therapy.
Define, explain, and give examples for Independent Variable
Manipulated, influenced, experimental factor in the experiment; controlled by the experimenter; AKA treatment variable. Ex: new medication thought to anxiety (IV)
Describe the following approach to psychology: Cognitive
Mental processes involved in knowing: Attention, Perceive, Remember, Solve problems
Deception
Methodological technique whereby a participant is not made fully aware of the specific purposes of the study or is misinformed as part of the study.
Define Absolute Threshold and provide an example
Minimum amount of stimulus energy that an individual can detect; The moment we detect the presence of a stimulus; People have different thresholds. Ideal circumstances = very low absolute thresholds
Define Neurons
Nerve cells specialized for processing information; basic unit of the nervous system; receive, integrate, and transmit electrochemical info.
Define Glial Cells
Nerve cells that provide support and nutritional benefits to the nervous system.
What is the responsibility/function of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Network of nerves; connects brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body; Takes info to and from the brain spinal cord; Carries out the commands of the CNS; Divided in to 2 parts
What are the 6 steps of the Scientific Method?
Observation & Literature Review, Develop a hypothesis, Research Design, Gather objective data & Analyze results • Publish, criticize, and replicate results, Theory Development
Define, explain, and give examples for Dependent Variable
Observed and measured for change; factor that is affected (or dependent on) the IV. Ex: anxiety level of the participant/client (DV)
What is the purpose of descriptive research?
Observing and recording behavior and mental states. Cannot prove causation.
5 types of descriptive research: Naturalistic Observation
Observing behavior in real-world settings with no manipulation (Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees).
Define Perception
Organizing and interpreting sensory information to give it subjective meaning.
What is participant bias?
Participants' behavior is influenced by what they believe they are supposed to have.
Define the following parts of a neuron: Axon
Pathway that carries away neuron specific information (to other neurons).
What are the basic duties of: Psychologist
PhD; Therapy, Research, Projective testing.
What does a positive vs. a negative correlation mean?
Positive (+): as one variable increases, so does the other Negative (-): as one variable increase, the other decreases
What is the complete definition of Psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Describe the following approach to psychology: Humanistic Approach
Seeking personal growth; Free will, self-actualization; Developing individual,positive qualities; Maslow/ Rogers; Therapist = warm, nurturing, and supportive
Magnitude
Size of the number between 0 and 1. The closer to 1 (positive or negative), the stronger the relationship.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Sociocultural Approach
Social interaction and cultural influences. Culture includes: Geography, Ethnicity, Religion
Sensory receptors
Specialized cells; detect and transmit stimulus information to sensory nerves and the brain.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Evolutionary Perspective
Stresses natural selection, adaptation, and reproduction.
5 types of descriptive research: Survey
Structured (Likert scale) vs. unstructured, convenient, social desirability.
Define and explain Antagonist Drug
Substance that binds to a receptor and blocks or inhibits an NT's effect.
Define Agonist Drug
Substance that binds to a receptor and mimics or enhances an NT's effect.
Define Subliminal Perception
The ability to detect information below the absolute threshold/level of conscious awareness.
Define Population
The entire group.
Define/explain 3rd variable and illusory correlations
The phenomenon of perceiving a relationship between variables even when no such relationship exists.
Describe the following approach to psychology: Cognitive Behavioral Approach
Thoughts impact feelings; Modify and manage thoughts. Albert Ellis
Describe the following approach to psychology: Psychodynamic Approach
Unconscious dynamics; Biological instincts and society's demands; Early experiences. • Sigmund Freud
5 types of descriptive research: Standardized Tests
Uniform way of administering and scoring. Describe current state; may change in time.
