NHST, Replication Crisis, and Brain Function in Psychology

What is the replication crisis in psychology?

A situation where many psychological studies cannot be replicated, leading to questions about their validity.

What percentage of studies are statistically significant according to the notes?

Only 30% of studies are statistically significant.

What is a Type I error?

Rejecting a true null hypothesis, leading to false positives.

What is publication bias?

The tendency for journals to publish positive results more than negative or inconclusive results.

What is the significance of power in statistical studies?

A power of 80% is needed to detect an effect if it exists; low power can lead to Type II errors.

What is endothermy?

The ability of mammals to maintain a constant body temperature, requiring significant energy expenditure.

What is predictive regulation in the brain?

The brain's ability to anticipate the body's needs before they arise, ensuring metabolic efficiency.

How many neurons are in the human brain?

Approximately 86 billion neurons.

What is the role of dendrites?

Dendrites receive information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body.

What is the function of the axon?

The axon carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

What is the synapse?

The small gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another neuron.

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

The charge of about -70 millivolts inside the neuron when it is not firing.

What happens during an action potential?

Sodium channels open, allowing Na+ ions to flow into the neuron, making the inside more positive.

What is the role of myelin sheath?

An insulating layer that speeds up the transmission of electrical signals along the axon.

What are agonists in relation to neurotransmitters?

Substances that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.

What do antagonists do?

They block the function of a neurotransmitter.

What is the function of autoreceptors?

They regulate neurotransmitter release by providing feedback to the neuron.

What is the corpus callosum?

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

What is functional neuroimaging?

Techniques like fMRI that measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

What does BOLD stand for in fMRI studies?

Blood Oxygen Level Dependent, indicating areas of brain activity based on oxygen consumption.

What is the significance of the 'self' network in brain studies?

It is associated with autobiographical memory and self-referential thinking.

What is the role of lactate in brain metabolism?

The brain prefers lactate over glucose for energy, especially during high activity.

What is the impact of drugs like amphetamines on neurotransmitters?

They increase the release of neurotransmitters.

What is the effect of drugs like Prozac?

They block the reuptake of neurotransmitters, increasing their availability in the synapse.

What is the difference between electrical and biochemical transmission in neurons?

Electrical transmission occurs via action potentials, while biochemical transmission involves neurotransmitters across synapses.

What is the significance of the 'neurodiversity' concept?

It recognizes and values the variety of human brain function and behavior as a natural variation.

insula

regions of cortex located at the junction of the frontal and temporal lobes

Phineas Gage

railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function