Psyc 101 first exam

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Goals of Psychology

Description, Explanation, Prediction, and Change.

Nature vs Nurture

The debate about whether behavior is determined by genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).

Wilhelm Wundt

Considered the father of psychology and founder of structuralism.

Structuralism

A perspective in psychology that aimed to identify the basic building blocks of the mind through introspection.

Psychoanalytic Perspective

Focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts as proposed by Sigmund Freud.

Behavioral perspective

Emphasizes objective and observable environmental influences on behavior, associated with figures like Watson, Pavlov, and Skinner.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and a positive human nature, represented by Rogers and Maslow.

Cognitive thinking

Focuses on mental processes like thinking, knowing, and memory.

Neuroscience

An interdisciplinary field studying the connections between biological processes and behavioral or mental processes.

Neuron

A cell in the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information.

Dendrites

Extensions of a neuron that receive information from other neurons and sensory receptors.

Myelin sheath

A layer that covers the axon of some neurons to insulate and speed up neural impulses.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit messages across a synapse between neurons.

Endocrine system

A collection of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Central Nervous System

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Part of the nervous system consisting of all nerves and neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and change its structure and function throughout life.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain responsible for motor control, coordination, and motor memories.

Stress

The process of responding to specific events viewed as threatening or challenging.

Eustress

Positive stress that is perceived as beneficial.

Distress

Negative stress that is overwhelming or unpleasant.

Absolute threshold

The minimum level of stimulus intensity needed to detect a stimulus half the time.

Subliminal perception

Detection of stimuli that are below the absolute threshold.

Signal detection theory

Theory that explains how we detect a stimulus, especially amidst background noise.

Difference threshold

The minimum difference in stimulation necessary to detect a difference half the time.