Psychology Exam 1 Review

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Developmental Psychology

The study of how people grow and change throughout the lifespan.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Social Psychology

The study of how individuals influence and are influenced by others.

Forensic Psychology

The application of psychology to legal issues and criminal investigations.

Physiological Needs

Basic requirements for human survival, such as food, water, and shelter.

Safety Needs

The need for security and protection from physical and emotional harm.

Love/Belonging Needs

The need for social interactions, relationships, and acceptance from others.

Esteem Needs

The need for self-esteem, respect from others, and recognition.

Self-Actualization

The realization of one’s potential, personal growth, and peak experiences.

Characteristics of a Self-Actualized Person

Realism, acceptance, problem-solving focus, autonomy, and continued growth.

Naturalistic Observation Research

Research method involving observation of subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Hypothesis Driven Experiments

Experiments testing specific predictions by manipulating variables.

Case Study Research

A detailed examination of an individual or small group.

Tuskegee Experiment

An unethical study on untreated syphilis in African American men that failed to inform participants of their diagnosis and did not provide proper treatment even after penicillin became available.

Dependent Variable

The outcome measured in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable manipulated in an experiment to observe effects on the dependent variable.

Correlation

A statistical relationship between two variables.

IRB (Institutional Review Board)

A committee that reviews research to ensure ethical standards are met.

Informed Consent

Participants' agreement to partake in research with full awareness of risks.

Peer Review

Evaluation of research by experts in the field before publication.

Neuron Structure

Includes dendrites, cell body, axon, and myelin sheath.

Synapse Structure

Composed of presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane.

How do SSRIs act in the brain to treat depression?

SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing the levels of serotonin available in the synaptic cleft, which helps improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.

Frontal Lobe

Brain region responsible for decision-making and problem-solving.

Parietal Lobe

Brain region involved in processing sensory information and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for processing sounds and managing memory.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid

The levels include physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization, with higher needs becoming prominent only after lower needs are satisfied.

Occipital lobe

The region of the brain located at the back of the head, primarily responsible for visual processing and interpreting visual information.

Name 5 areas of psychology

Cognitive, Clinical, Developmental, Counseling, and Forensic Psychology

Synapse

The connection point between two neurons where they communicate with each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters.

What are the parts of a neuron

Dendrites, cell body (soma) , axon, axon terminals, and synapse.

Electrical Conductance and Action Potential

Electrical conductance is the movement of ions in and out of a neuron. An action potential is a quick change in the neuron's electrical state that allows it to send signals.

Chemical Neurotransmission

The process where neurotransmitters are released from one neuron, travel across the synapse, and bind to receptors on another neuron, allowing them to communicate.

List at least 3 Neurotransmitters

Dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.

Amygdala & Nucleus Accumbens

Brain regions involved in emotion regulation and reward processing. The amygdala processes emotions like fear and pleasure, while the nucleus accumbens is crucial for the brain's reward circuit.

Striatum

A subcortical brain structure that plays a key role in the coordination of movement and is involved in reward processing and habit formation.

Hypothalamus

Controls basic bodily functions like hunger, thirst, temperature, and sleep.

Pituitary gland

Regulates the functions of other endocrine glands and controls growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Sensorimotor Cortex

Processes sensory input and integrates it with motor functions for coordinated movement.

brain stem

Controls vital life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.