Foundations of Psychology: Key Concepts and Figures

Plato

Proposed nativism; knowledge is innate and recalled.

Wilhelm Wundt

First psychologist; investigated voluntarism and consciousness.

William James

Father of psychology; founded functionalism.

Sigmund Freud

Founded psychoanalysis; addressed hysteria through therapy.

Publication Bias

Preference for publishing significant or positive results.

Acquiescence Bias

Tendency to agree with statements to appear agreeable.

Aristotle

Introduced empiricism; knowledge from observation and experience.

Rene Descartes

Dualism; mind and body interact minimally.

Pierre Flourens

Disproved phrenology by removing dog brain parts.

Phi Phenomenon

Perception of apparent movement from stationary objects.

Experimental Psychology

Focuses on research and theoretical concepts.

Applied Psychology

Applies psychological concepts to individual cases.

Roof of Psychology

Comprised of understanding and improving human behavior.

Pillars of Psychology

Biological, Cognitive & Behavioral, Developmental, Personality & Social, Health.

Scientific Method

Steps: Observe, Predict, Test, Interpret, Communicate.

Theory

Set of assumptions for testable predictions.

Reliability

Consistency of a measurement over time.

Correlational Research

Examines relationships between two variables; no causation.

Quasi-Experimental Research

Examines relationships without random assignment.

Random Sampling

Each individual has equal selection chance; enhances representativeness.

Convenience Sampling

Uses easily accessible samples; may introduce bias.

Independent Variable (IV)

Variable manipulated by the researcher in experiments.

Control Group

Group not exposed to IV; serves as comparison.

Experimental Group

Group exposed to the independent variable.

Informed Consent

Participants must agree and understand study details.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Oversees ethical treatment of human research subjects.

IACUC

Committee overseeing ethical treatment of animal subjects.

Mueller-Lyer Illusion

Visual perception influenced by contextual cues.

Confirmation Bias

Favoring information that confirms existing beliefs.

Soma

Cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus.

Axon Hillock

Area where action potentials are initiated in neurons.

Depolarization

Na+ influx makes neuron interior more positive.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep cycles.

Agonist

Chemical that mimics neurotransmitter action.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes all nerves outside the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by glands into bloodstream.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons affecting nearby cells.

EEG

Measures electrical activity in the brain.

MRI

Produces detailed images of brain structures.

fMRI

Measures brain activity through blood flow changes.

PET

Measures metabolic activity using radioactive tracers.

H.M.

Patient with memory loss after hippocampus removal.

Phineas Gage

Patient whose personality changed after frontal lobe damage.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information like touch.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

Genes and Nervous System

Genes influence neurotransmitter production affecting behavior.

John Locke

Tabula Rosa; born as a blank slate, shaped by nurture.

Jean Rousseau

Noble Savage; humans are inherently good, corrupted by society.

Physiology

Provided scientific methods for psychological study.

Herman von Helmholtz

First to measure nerve impulse speed: 90 feet/second.

John Watson

Behaviorism; conditioned fear in Little Albert.

Little Albert

Toddler conditioned to fear white mice.

Carl Rogers

Founded humanistic psychology; emphasized personal growth.

Psychology Definition

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Hypothesis

Specific, testable prediction about research outcomes.

Validity

Accuracy of a test in measuring intended constructs.

Descriptive Research

Describes behaviors; cannot determine cause and effect.

Experimental Research

Determines cause-and-effect by manipulating variables.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Variable measured to assess IV's effect.

Scientific Filter

Screening process for validating research findings.

Peer Review

Evaluation of research by experts before publication.

Question Order Bias

Response influenced by the sequence of questions.

Demand Characteristics Bias

Cues that reveal study purpose, altering behavior.

Dendrites

Neuronal structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Insulating layer that speeds up neural signal transmission.

Action Potential

Electrical impulse traveling along the axon of a neuron.

Repolarization

K+ efflux restores negative charge inside neuron.

Hyperpolarization

Neuronal interior becomes more negative than resting state.

Neurotransmitter Release

Occurs when action potential reaches axon terminals.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward pathways.

Norepinephrine

Controls involuntary responses like heart rate.

GABA

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulates neuronal excitability.

Antagonist

Chemical that blocks or inhibits neurotransmitter action.

Reflexes

Automatic responses bypassing brain input.

Limbic System

Brain region involved in emotion and memory.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in decision-making and motor function.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information from the eyes.

Corpus Callosum

Connects brain hemispheres; severing leads to split-brain.