Intro to Psychology Exam #1 Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and facts from the Intro to Psychology lecture notes to aid in exam preparation.

What is reliability in psychological research?

The ability of a research study or psychological instrument to consistently produce a given result.

What is a theory in psychology?

A well-developed set of ideas that proposes an explanation for observed phenomena.

What is the purpose of a Single-Blind Study?

It reduces participant bias, such as the placebo effect, by making participants unaware of whether they are in the experimental or control group.

What is the purpose of a Double-Blind Study?

It reduces both participant and experimenter biases by keeping both groups unaware of their assigned conditions.

What is a Placebo-Controlled Study?

A study where the control group receives a placebo to compare its effects with the actual treatment.

Define negative correlation.

A negative correlation occurs when one variable decreases as the other increases.

Define positive correlation.

A positive correlation occurs when both variables increase or decrease together.

What does 'no correlation' mean?

No correlation occurs when there is no consistent relationship between the variables.

What do chromosomes contain?

Chromosomes contain long strings of genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

What is an allele?

An allele is a specific version of a gene that may influence traits.

Define genotype.

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Define phenotype.

The inherited physical characteristics of an individual, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

What are glial cells?

Glial cells are supportive cells in the nervous system that provide scaffolding and help with neuron functions.

What is a neuron?

A neuron is an interconnected information processor essential for the tasks of the nervous system.

What is the role of a dendrite?

Dendrites serve as input sites where signals are received from other neurons.

What is an action potential?

An action potential is the electrical signal that moves from the neuron's cell body down the axon.

What are the four lobes of the brain?

The frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

What function does Broca's area serve?

Broca's area is essential for language production.

What is the purpose of Wernicke's area?

Wernicke's area is important for speech comprehension.

What is the effect of acetylcholine on behavior?

Involved in muscle action and memory; can increase arousal and enhance cognition.

What do SSRIs do?

SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are commonly prescribed for depression.

What is the peripheral nervous system composed of?

Thick bundles of axons, or nerves, that carry messages between the CNS and the periphery of the body.

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

It is involved in the relay of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Prepares the body for stress-related activities.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, released by the pineal gland.

What are the stages of sleep categorized into?

Non-REM (NREM) sleep and REM sleep.

What characterizes Stage 1 of NREM sleep?

Light sleep with alpha waves transitioning to theta waves.

What occurs during Stage 3 of NREM sleep?

Deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, important for muscle repair.

What happens during REM sleep?

Increased brain activity, vivid dreaming, and muscle atonia prevent acting out dreams.