Psych exam 1
nerve
A bundle of axons from different neurons that transmit nerve impulses
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls balance and coordination
introspection
A method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings
Hippocampus
A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.
Depolarization
A positive shift in the electrical charge in the neuron's resting potential, making it less negatively charged
Which of the following mental health professionals is the only one who, in many states, can prescribe medicine?
A psychiatrist
motor cortex
A region in the cerebral cortex that processes information about voluntary movement, located just behind the frontal lobes.
Hypothalamus
A structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of vital bodily functions (body temp, reproduction, emotion, aggression, stress response)
thalamus
A structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex.
A researcher wants to include a large sample of left-handed subjects in her study investigating brain lateralization. Which of the following demographics should she attempt to recruit more subjects from?
Men
Jean Piaget's intensive observations and analyses of his three children formed the basis of his theories of childhood development. This is an example of which method of research?
Case study
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another
A group of psychologists at a cocktail party are discussing what kinds of questions are most studied and useful in the field of psychology. Which of the following pairs of psychologists are most likely to find agreement?
Clinical and counseling psychologists
Which of the following research methods allow the researcher to draw cause-effect conclusions?
Experimental
Rokuro would like to investigate to what extent depression appears among relatives. Which of the following studies would be acceptable to conduct if he is not concerned with identifying the relative contributions of genetics and environment to the manifestation of depression?
Familial association studies
Psychoanalysis
Freud's method of psychotherapy; it focuses on uncovering and working through unconscious conflicts he believed were at the root of psychological problems
The psychological school that asks, "What are mental processes for?" rather than "What are mental processes?" is which of the following?
Functionalism
Which school of thought proposed that psychology should explain how people adapt or fail to adapt to the real world outside of the laboratory, thus becoming the first applied psychologists?
Functionalists
gestalt
German; unitary form
Due to a severe dysregulation of her endocrine system, Bianca has her thyroid gland surgically removed. Which of the following processes will she most likely need additional help regulating?
Her metabolism and homeostasis
Which theorist is well-known for his studies on obedience?
Milgram
Whereas our behaviors are due partly to the actions of the brain and the nervous system, which of the following individuals maintain that the brain and nervous system will never be sufficient to explain behavior?
Mind-body dualists
"Historically, psychology has focused on understanding mental illness. It is time to turn some of our attention to understanding human strengths and virtues, happiness, well-being, and wisdom." This quotation most accurately represents which of the following new directions in psychology?
Positive psychology
Which approach emphasizes the understanding of mental disorders in terms of unconscious needs, desires, memories, and conflicts?
Psychoanalytic
To understand the unusual behavior of an adult client, a clinical psychologist carefully investigates the client's current life situation and his physical, social-cultural, and educational history. Which research method has the psychologist used?
The case study
Suppose a study is conducted examining the development of ethical orientation in young men. Why should the researchers be cautious about generalizing their results to both sexes?
The development of ethical orientation for young women may not be the same as for young men
forebrain
The largest and most complicated region of the brain, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum.
concordance rate
The percentage of twin pairs or other pairs of relatives that exhibit the same disorder.
A friend of yours complains that they have been having trouble falling asleep at night. Which of the following glands is likely the culprit of their difficulties?
The pineal gland
temporal lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughyl above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which revieves aditory info primarily from the opposite end.
A researcher is interested in studying whether early fame causes child celebrities to become egotistical and self-centered. To this end, the researcher completes a case study of a young female actor. He finds that the actor's personality remains stable, despite her increasing fame. Which of the following is the greatest issue with interpreting the findings of this study?
The results of case studies do not always generalize to the larger population.
What is the term for the column of nerves that transmits information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system?
The spinal cord
A researcher wants to conduct a study investigating the influence of a specific gene on aggressive behavior. However, she does not want to spend a lot of resources recruiting subjects with specific traits and histories. Which of the following studies should she use?
Twin studies
genes
Units of heredity made up of DNA.
You are trying to learn how to read an unfamiliar language. If you wanted to increase the speed at which you will be able to comprehend words in the language you want to learn, you should attempt to stimulate
Wernicke's area
Which relationship between variables is described by a negative correlation?
When a bank's interest rates go down, the amount of money borrowed goes up.
What individual is often credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory, thus establishing psychology as an experimental science?
Wilhelm Wundt
Amphetamines
a class of synthetically derived stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamine or "speed"
CT
a computer imaging technique that produces a 3-d image
social-cognitive theory
a contemporary learning-based model that emphasizes the roles of cognitive and environmental factors in determining behavior
All research participants must agree to participate in a study by having all of their questions answered, as well as reading and signing
a debriefing statement.
stimulant
a drug that activates the central nervous system, such as amphetamines and cocaine
behavior therapy
a form of therapy that involves the systematic application of the principles of learning
myelin sheath
a layer of protective insulation that covers the axons of certain neurons and helps speed transmission of nerve impulses
Empiracle Approach
a method of developing knowledge based on evaluating evidence gathered from experiments and observation
Epilepsy
a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
A direct relationship in which two factors increase together or decrease together represents
a positive correlation
electrical stimulation
a process of electrically stimulating particular parts of the brain to observe the effects on behavior
Parkinson's disease
a progressive brain disease involving destruction of dopamine-producing brain cells and characterized by muscle tremors, shakiness, rigidity, and difficulty in walking and controlling fine body movements
educational psychologist
a psychologist who is concerned with helping students learn
spinal reflex
a reflex controlled at the level of the spinal cord that may involve as few as two neurons
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a particular stimulus
receptor site
a site on the receiving neuron in which neurotransmitters dock
pons
a structure in the hindbrain involved in regulating states of wakefullness and sleep
refractory period
a temporary state in which a neuron is unable to fire in response to continued stimulation
chromosomes
a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
reticular formation
a weblike formation of neurons involved in regulating states of attention, alertness, and arousal
action potential
abrupt change from a negative to positive charge of a nerve cell (neural impulse)
informed consent
agreement to participate in an experiment, granted in full awareness of the nature of the experiment, which has been explained in advance
The fact that the action potential of a neuron fires at full strength or not at all is known as the
all-or-none law.
physiological perspective
an approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the relationships between biological processes and behavior
basal ganglia
an assemblage of neurons lying in the forebrain that is important in controlling movement and coordination
thyroid gland
an endocrine gland in the neck that secretes the hormone thyroxin, which is involved in regulating metabolic functions and physical growth
Pancreas
an endocrine organ that secretes insulin
Humanistic Perspective
applies the principles of humanistic psychology
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Locations in the cerebral cortex that piece together sensory information to form meaningful perceptions of the world and perform higher mental functions are
association areas
Research on human brain tissue has found that human brains are
capable of neurogenesis even in adulthood
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons (form myelin sheath)
The wrinkled, outer layer of gray matter that covers the cerebral hemispheres and control higher mental functions, such as thought and language, is called the
cerebral cortex
Neuromodulators
chemicals released in the nervous system that influence the sensitivity of the receiving neuron to neurotransmitters
The limbic system is responsible for
controlling learning and emotional behavior
To discover the extent to which economic status can be used to predict political preferences, researchers are most likely to use
correlational measures
operational definition
definition of a variable based on the procedures or operations used to measure it
Antagonist
drug which blocks the activity of neurotransmitters
agonists
drugs that either increase the availability or effectiveness of neurotransmitters or mimic their actions
A sample is considered to be random if
each member of the population has an equal opportunity to be included in the sample.
ions
electrically charged chemical particles
Neuromarketing
emerging field of marketing that examines brain responses to advertisements and brand-related messages
sociocultural perspective
emphasizes social and cultural influences on behavior
pituitary gland
endocrine gland that produces a large amount of hormones; it regulates growth and helps control other endocrine glands; located on underside of brain; sometimes called the "master gland"
You are interested in learning more about how the body uses chemicals to communicate through the bloodstream. You are interested in the
endocrine system
In a trial of a new allergy medicine, one group of participants is given the new drug while the other receives a placebo. The group receiving the experimental drug is the
experimental group
variable
factor or measure that varies within an experiment or among individuals
One form of research that allows investigators to identify genetic factors implicated in certain behaviors is a
familial association study
zygote
fertilized egg cell
delusions
fixed but patently false beliefs, such as believing that one is being hounded by demons
Functionalism
focuses on the adaptive functions of behavior
Cognitive Psychology
focuses on the processes by which we acquire knowledge
corrrelation coefficient
from -1.00 to +1.00
Nodes of Ranvier
gaps in the myelin sheath that create non insulated areas along the axon
genotype
genetic code
independent variable
is manipulated
Broca's area
left frontal lobe, speech production
aphasia
loss or impairment of the ability to understand or express language
It is important for psychologists to remember that psychological explanations for behavior
may not apply to all situations or all groups of people.
psychiatrist
medical doctors who can prescribe medicine
Song Hua isn't certain whether her sister's irritable behavior is due to the stressful influence of her job or their father's aggressive personality. Song Hua's uncertainty reflects the ongoing impact of the
nature-nurture debate
interneurons
nerve cells within the central nervous system that process information
limbic system
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.
motor neurons
neurons that convey nerve impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands
mirror neurons
neurons that fire both when performing an action and when observing another person perform that same action
sensory neurons
neurons that transmit information from sensory organs, muscles, and inner organs to the spinal cord and brain
Your professor asks you to predict what will happen if a neuron fails to receive sufficient stimulation to fire an action potential. You predict that
nothing will happen
phenotype
observable characteristics
enzymes
organic substances that produce certain chemical changes in other organic substances through a catalytic action
Gloria's friends have recently noticed a startling change in her behavior. She eats everything in sight but gains little, if any, weight. She speeds around the room as if she were taking amphetamines. She seems constantly tense and agitated, and has trouble sleeping. She has become impulsive and lately she seems to be upset by even the slightest stress. The source of Gloria's problems is probably due to which gland?
overactive thyroid?
Xerxes has diabetes. His body has trouble regulating the production of insulin, which is used to break down sugars. Xerxes likely experiences dysregulation in his
pancreas
somatic nervous system
part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the sensory organs and muscles, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement
split brain patients
people whose corpus callosum has been surgically severed
hallucinations
perceptions experienced in the absence of corresponding external stimuli
The part of the nervous system that connects the spinal cord and brain with the sensory organs, muscles, and glands is the
peripheral nervous system
Meara's hair changes color from blonde to dark brown in the sun. This is an example of the manifestation of her
phenotype
Brains that are injured are often able to adjust to the damage through a process known as
plasticity
Messages from the sense receptors are registered in those areas of the brain called the
primary somatosensory cortex
Reuptake
process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
neurogenesis
process by which new neurons are generated
electrical recording
process of recording the electrical changes that occur in a specific neuron or groups of neurons in the brain in relation to particular activities or behaviors
adrenal glands
produce various stress related hormones
pineal gland
produces melatonin
Experimental Psychologists
psychologists who apply experimental methods to the study of behavior and mental processes
Physiological Psychologists
psychologists who focus on the biological underpinnings of behavior
counseling psychologist
psychologists who help people clarify their goals and make life decisions or find ways of overcoming problems in various life areas
comparative psychologists
psychologists who study behavioral similarities and differences among animal species
clinical psychologist
psychologists who use psychological techniques to evaluate and treat individuals with mental or psychological disorders
behaviorism
psychology should limit itself to the study of observable behavior
PET
radioactive sugar tracer is injected to measure levels of activity in the brain
EEG
records electrical activity in the brain
An automatic, unlearned response to certain stimuli is a(n)
reflex
basic research
research focused on acquiring knowledge even if such knowledge has no direct practical application
applied research
research that attempts to find solutions to specific problems
dendrites
root-like structures at the end of axons that receive neural impulses from neighboring neurons
The emergence of psychology as a science in the 1900s occurred in the following three stages:
science of the mind, the behaviorist decades, and the cognitive revolution.
hormones
secretions from endocrine glands that help regulate bodily processes
Neurons that collect messages from sense organs and carry those messages to the spinal cord or the brain are
sensory neurons
Schizophrenia
severe disorder characterized by major disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior with symptoms that include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and behavior, and negative symptoms
Lateralization
specialization of the two cerebral hemispheres for particular operations
germ cells
sperm and egg cells from which new life develops
A new student in your class cannot move without the assistance of a wheelchair. The most likely cause of this is dysfunction in their
spinal cord
A reflex that may involve as few as two neurons is a
spinal reflex
prime
stimulus or cue that affects a person's subsequent behavior without the person knowing the impact
medulla
structure in the hindbrain that controls essential life support functions including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
As a scientific endeavor, the goal of psychology is primarily the
study of behavior and mental processes.
terminal buttons
swellings at the tips of axons from which neurotransmitters are dispatched into the synapse
brainstem
the "stalk" in the lower part of the brain that connects the spinal cord to higher regions of the brain
Gestalt Psych
the brain structures our perception of the world in terms of patterns or wholes
A researcher who takes the biological perspective is likely to study how
the brain, nervous system, and other physiological mechanisms produce behavior and mental processes.
DNA
the chemical unit that makes up chromosomes
spinal cord
the column of nerves that transmits information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
resting potential
the electrical potential across the cell membrane of a neuron in its resting state
lesioning
the intentional destruction of brain tissue in order to observe the effects on behavior (animals)
cerebrum
the largest mass of the forebrain, consisting of two cerebral hemispheres
hindbrain
the lowest and, in evolutionary terms, oldest part of the brain; includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
nervous system
the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.
midbrain
the part of the brain that lies on top of the hindbrain and below the forebrain
peripheral nervous system
the part of the nervous system that connects the spinal cord and brain with the sensory organs, muscles, and glands
central nervous system
the part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
somatosensory cortex
the part of the parietal lobe that processes information about touch and pressure on the skin, as well as the position of the parts of our bodies as we move about
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that automatically regulates involuntary bodily processes (breathing, heart rate, digestion)
parietal lobe
the parts of the cerebral cortex that process bodily sensations
occipital lobe
the parts of the cerebral cortex, located at the back of both cerebral hemispheres, that process visual stimuli
frontal lobes
the parts of the cerebral cortex, located at the front of the cerebral hemispheres, that are considered the "executive center" of the brain because of their role in higher mental functions
spine
the protective bony column that houses the spinal cord
cerebral hemispheres
the right and left masses of the cerebrum, which are joined by the corpus callosum
Structuralism
the school of psychology that attempts to understand the structure of the mind by breaking it down into its component parts
humanistic psychology
the school of psychology that believes that free will and conscious choice are essential aspects of the human experience
psychology
the science of behavior and mental processes
synapse
the small fluid-filled gap between neurons through which neurotransmitters carry neural impulses
corpus callosum
the thick bundle of fibers connecting the cerebral hemispheres
Psychodynamic perspective
the view that behavior is influenced by the struggle between unconscious sexual or aggressive impulses and opposing forces that try to keep this threatening material out of consciousness
polygenic traits
traits influenced by many genes
axon
tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells
Amygdala
two lima bean-sized neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion (aggression, rage, fear)
MRI
using a magnetic field to create images of internal bodily structures
cerebral cortex
wrinkled outer portion of brain; center for higher order brain functions such as thinking, planning, judgment; processes sensory information and directs movement
Behavioral Perspective
An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the role of learning in explaining observable behavior.
B. F. Skinner is most associated with which perspective?
Behaviorism
Imagine that you see the textbook authors on television talking with Larry King about popular psychology. What point are you most likely to hear them make?
Beware of exaggerated claims without supporting evidence
Which of the following is an example of a spinal reflex?
Blinking when someone blows a puff of air in your eyes during an eye exam
A person with schizophrenia is most likely to have a problem with which of the following neurotransmitters?
Dopamine
A research psychologist is interested in developing a treatment for psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia. Which of the following neurotransmitters should they pay most attention to?
Dopamine
Suppose a researcher realizes that a significant error exists in a research paper that was published. Which of the following actions would be most likely to maintain his or her reputation and credibility in the long run?
Immediately issue an erratum or have the paper retracted if necessary.
unconscious
In Freudian theory, the part of the mind that lies outside the range of ordinary awareness and that contains primitive drives and instincts.
Wernicke's area
In the left temporal lobe; involved in language comprehension and speaking
During a class debate, Hachiri uses the case of Phineas Gage, who survived after a railroad spike entered the front of his brain, to argue that a person can function perfectly normally even if they sustain damage to their frontal lobes. What is one problem with Hachiri's position?
Individuals who experience damage to their frontal lobes may live, but will likely experience problems in emotional responding.
Behaviorism is associated with which two leading figures?
John Watson and B. F. Skinner
A group of axons bundled together are known as what?
Nerve
Katara wants to know if a certain image of a political candidate causes people to listen more closely or tune out during a political event. Which of the following fields should she study most closely?
Neuromarketing
Following the rise of behaviorism, what led to a renewed interest in things we cannot observe directly, such as thoughts, by the science of psychology?
New research methods made the scientific study of mental processes possible
Following the rise of behaviorism, what led to a renewed interest in things that we cannot observe directly such as thoughts, feelings, and sensory experiences?
New research methods made the scientific study of mental processes possible.
The hormone melatonin is produced by which gland?
Pineal
A psychologist studying children with autism selects a random group of children who are hopefully representative of all children who have been diagnosed with the disorder. The group of children being studied by this psychologist is collectively known to researchers as what type of group?
Sample
A neurologist is concerned that a patient who has brain damage is experiencing problems with their neurons. Specifically, she believes that her patient's neurons are not communicating with each other properly. Which of the following should the neurologist investigate to test this hypothesis?
She should test the levels of neurotransmitters being produced by and transported between the patient's neurons
Tasha would like to alter the phenotypic expression of her dog's fur, which is currently very thin. What should she do?
She should wait until the winter months when the cold environment will likely cause her dog's fur to thicken.
Which psychologist argued that the way in which a child thinks about the world differs substantially from the way in which adults do?
Sigmund Freud
endocrine system
The body's system of glands that release their secretions, called hormones, directly into the bloodstream
Although the American Psychological Association had drawn up a code for ethical behavior in 1953, the issue of ethics was raised again in 1963 when which study was published?
Stanley Milgram's obedience study
What was the first formal school of thought in psychology which sought to analyze the basic elements of conscious mental experience?
Structuralism
Which of the following would be a violation of the American Psychological Association's ethical standards regarding publication?
Submitting previously published data as if it were new data
The branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for quick action in an emergency is what division?
Sympathetic
Respectively, Broca's area is important for what brain function, and Wernicke's area is important for what brain function?
Talking; listening
glands
body organs or structures that produce secretions called hormones
Clark is a split-brain patient. Of the following, he has the most trouble with
identifying objects that he is holding, but cannot see
Unlike the behavioral perspective, the sociocultural perspective emphasizes the
impact of other people and culture as the major determinants of behavior and mental processes.