PS 101

Psychology

Scientific study of the mind and behavior, including its philosophical roots.

Helmholtz

Measured the speed at which nerves transmit information to the brain.

Structuralism

focuses on the purpose of the mind/brain; what does it do

Introspection

Technique used to analyze a subject’s experience by trained observers.

Unconscious Mind

Part of the mind containing information of which people are not aware.

Hysteria

Symptoms in patients with no physical cause, often linked to repressed emotions.

Behaviorism

Focus on observable actions and behaviors, developed by John Watson.

Skinner Box

Mice experiment demonstrating the principle of reinforcement in behavior.

Gestalt Psychology

Approach emphasizing how the mind creates perceptual experiences.

Social + Cultural Psychology

Study of how environment and culture influence mental life and social behavior.

Evolutionary Psychology

Study of how the human mind has been shaped by natural selection.

Neuroscience

Study of the brain and its functions, including the use of MRI scans.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Relationship between the brain and mind.

Empiricism

Knowledge acquired through observation.

Scientific Method

Procedure to establish facts and understand how the world works.

Operational Definition

Description of a property in measurable terms.

Naturalistic Observation

Technique for gathering information by observing people in their natural environment.

Observer Bias

Tendency for observers’ expectations to influence their observations.

Double Blind Study

Research method to avoid bias by keeping both researchers and participants unaware of expectations.

Correlation ≠ Causation

Natural correlation between two variables does not imply a causal relationship.

Internal Validity

Attribute allowing an experiment to establish causal relationships.

External Validity

Attribute of an experiment that allows generalization to a larger population.

Ethical Principles

Guidelines ensuring respect and protection for research participants.

Informed Consent

Agreement to participate in a study after being informed of risks.

Neurons

Building blocks of the central nervous system.

Action Potential

Electric signal conducted along a neuron’s axon.

Synapse

Gap between neurons where neurotransmitters transmit information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit information across synapses.

Hindbrain

Area of the brain responsible for basic life functions.

Cerebral Cortex

Outermost layer of the brain, divided into two hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe

Brain region responsible for movement, abstract thinking, and judgment.

Amygdala

Brain structure central to emotional processes and memories.

Hippocampus

Critical for creating and storing new memories.

Endocrine System

Network of glands producing hormones influencing various functions.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons activated when performing or observing a behavior.

Brain Plasticity

Ability of the brain to adapt and change in response to experience.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process where behavior is influenced by reinforcement or punishment.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others, as demonstrated in Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment.

Positive Reinforcement

a process that strengthens the likelihood of a particular response by adding a stimulus after the behavior is performed

Negative Reinforcement

strengthens the likelihood of a particular response, but by removing an undesirable consequence

Fixed Interval

specific amount; minimum wage, hourly job

Variable

can change

Interval

has to do with time

Ratio

has do with responses or behavior

Functionalism

focuses on the elemental parts of mental process; why does it matter

Psychoanalysis/ Psychodynamics

Freud; early childhood conflicts and trauma

Correlational designs

can be used with variables that cannot be manipulated by a researcher 

Categorical

non-numerical

Discrete

bound by whole numbers; numerical

Continuous

takes fractions, decimals, etc. into account; numerical

Nominal

categorical

Ordinal

categorical, but has a rank order; benchmarks 

Validity of a Measure

accurate defining

Reliability of a Measure

reproducibility of an instrument

away from the cell body

Where does an axon conducts nerve impulses?

Depolarization at the axon hillock exceeds the threshold for excitation 

When does a neuron fire?

Unconditioned stimulus

a stimulus that naturally elicits a response

Neutral stimulus

a stimulus that initially does not elicit a response

Cerebellum

part of brain that manages balance, motor coordination 

Frontal Lobe

part of brain that manages planning, organizing; daily functions