Psychology Exam 1 Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts, key figures, research methods, and neurobiology for Exam 1.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Wundt

Wilhelm Wundt, who founded the first psychological laboratory.

Freud

Sigmund Freud, who developed psychoanalytic therapy.

James' stream of consciousness

Concept introduced by William James describing continuous flow of thoughts and mental experiences.

Whole is greater than the sum of the parts

Core principle of Gestalt psychology regarding perception and organizational mental processes.

Correlation

A statistical relationship between variables that can be used for prediction.

Scatterplots and correlation coefficients

Visual plots and numerical indicators used for interpreting the direction and strength of correlation between variables.

Experiments

Research method involving controlled variable manipulation that can make cause-effect statements.

Independent and dependent variables

Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher, while dependent variables are measured to evaluate outcomes.

Experimental and control groups

Experimental groups receive the active treatment or condition, while control groups provide a baseline for comparison.

Placebo effect

Phenomenon in research where subjects experience real changes driven by expectations rather than an active intervention.

Case study

An in-depth research method focused on an individual or small group, characterized by difficulty in generalizing findings to broader populations.

Naturalistic observation

Research method involving observing subjects in their natural environment without intervention or manipulation.

Representative samples

Selected sample groups that accurately reflect the characteristics and demographics of the target population.

Two types of statistics

The two primary branches of statistical methods in research: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

IRB

Institutional Review Board; an administrative body that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical treatment of participants.

Debriefing

Ethical procedure after study completion explaining the purpose, hypotheses, and any deception used to participants.

Neuropsychologists

Specialists in psychology who study relationships between brain structure/function and behavior.

Developmental psychology

Branch of psychology studying human growth, behavioral evolution, and cognitive changes across the lifespan.

Two divisions of nervous system

The primary organizational branches of the nervous system: the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

CNS

Central Nervous System; composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Two parts of PNS

The Peripheral Nervous System, which is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Parasympathetic division

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and promotes homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a steady, balanced internal physiological state regulated by systems such as the parasympathetic nervous system.

Endocrine system

A network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily functions.

Neuron

The specialized nerve cell that forms the basic building block of the nervous system.

Myelin sheath

Insulating layer surrounding neural axons that accelerates electrical signal transmission and is damaged in multiple sclerosis.

Dendrites

Branching structures of a neuron designed to receive incoming chemical and electrical messages.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath along a myelinated axon that aid rapid neural impulse propagation.

Multiple sclerosis

Disease involving demyelination or damage to the myelin sheath surrounding central nervous system axons.

Synapse

The microscopic junction across which neurons communicate using chemical signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released across the synapse to transmit signals between neurons or effector cells.

Somatosensory cortex and contralateral conduction

Brain region processing body sensations operating via contralateral conduction, where each side of the brain processes signals from the opposite side of the body.

Forebrain

The most developed and largest part of the human brain.

Biological causes of depression

Physiological mechanisms contributing to depression, including neurotransmitter dysregulation and neuroanatomical factors.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters involved in pain inhibition, reward, and positive mood state regulation.

Refractory period

Resting recovery duration following neural action potential firing during which the neuron cannot fire another impulse.

Phrenology

Historical pseudoscientific practice attempting to assess mental faculties from skull measurements and surface bumps.

Structures of hindbrain

Lower brain region including essential survival structures such as the medulla, pons, and reticular formation.

Reticular formation

Neural network inside the hindbrain responsible for controlling sleep-wake cycles, arousal, and attention.

Medulla

Structure located in the hindbrain controlling vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Pons

Hindbrain structure involved in sensory relay, sleep regulation, and connecting brain regions.

Corpus callosum

Thick band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres, enabling interhemispheric communication.