Quizlet - Psych 201 - Exam 1

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Empirical approach

evidence-based method drawing on observation and experimentation

Critical thinking

thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions; examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions; curiosity + skepticism + humility

Wilhelm Wundt

established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany

Edward Titchener

Structuralism; a student in Wundt's lab

Structuralism

an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

William James

founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment

Functionalism

early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Mary Whiton Calkins

finished all Harvard Ph.D. requirements but was denied the degree; offered a doctorate from Radcliffe but did not accept; first woman APA president

Margaret Washburn

first woman to receive a psychology Ph.D.; APA president

Gilbert Haven Jones

first African American to earn a Ph.D. in philosophy in Germany

Francis Sumner

first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the U.S.

Behaviorism

the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes; most agree with the first part but not the second

John B. Watson

behaviorism; Little Albert experiment—fear can be learned

B.F. Skinner

behaviorism; rejected introspection; rewards/punishments

Freudian psychology

unconscious thoughts have a huge effect on actions

Humanistic psychology

historically significant perspective emphasizing human growth potential; creators Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow found behaviorism and Freud limiting

Cognitive psychology

study of mental processes involved in perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, communicating, and solving problems

Cognitive neuroscience

cognitive psychology + neuroscience; interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition

Nature vs. nurture

question of whether genes or environment determine personality traits

Natural selection

survival of the fittest

Evolutionary psychology

study of evolution of behavior and mind; uses natural selection principles

Behavior genetics

study of the relative power and limits genetic and environmental influences have on behavior

Cross cultural psychology

branch of psychology that studies the effects of culture on behavior and mental processes

Positive psychology

scientific study of how humans flourish; goal to discover and promote strengths and virtues to help others; LITERALLY THE TERM

Biopsychosocial approach

integrated approach; incorporates biology, psychology, and social

Neuroscience perspective

focus on brain functions, neurons, etc.

Evolutionary perspective

focus on survival and study which traits survive

Behavior genetics perspective

study how genes and environment influence us; nature vs. nurture

Psychodynamic perspective

unconscious mind

Behavioral perspective

causes of behavior?

Cognitive perspective

how interpretation affects a situation

Social

cultural perspective

Basic research

pure science aiming to increase base of scientific knowledge

Applied research

scientific study aiming to solve practical problems

Counseling psychologists

assist people with life problems to help achieve greater well

Clinical psychologists

study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders

Psychiatrists

medicine dealing with psychological disorders

Community psychologists

study how people interact in communities and how social institutions affect individuals and groups

Hindsight bias

tendency to believe that one foresaw an outcome after hearing the result

Scientific method

self-correcting process to evaluate ideas with observation and analysis

Theory

explanation that can be tested and predictable? (double check how he words it)

Hypothesis

testable, predictable theory

Case study

individual or group studied extensively to hopefully reveal something new

Naturalistic observations

observe and record behavior in natural environment; NOT CONTROLLED

Operational definitions

carefully defined words of those usually subjective to make experiments easier to replicate

Survey

get self

Positive correlation

direct relationship; one increases or decreases, so does the other

Negative correlation

inverse relationship; one increases or decreases, the other does the opposite

Zero correlation

little to no relationship

Illusory correlation

belief that a relationship exists or is stronger than it is

Experiment

research method; manipulate IV to see effect on DV

Placebo effect

results caused by expectations alone

Double

blind procedure

Informed consent

potential participants given enough information to make an informed decision about joining or not

Brief pre experiment information

given to participants

Debrief

post-experiment explanation of study; reveal purpose and any deceptions

Descriptive statistics

use of statistical methods to provide simple data summary (bar graph)

Measure of central tendency

single score representing distribution of many; three different ones we mainly use

Mode

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Mean

average

Median

midpoint number

Range

difference between highest and lowest scores

S²

variance

S

standard deviation

Inferential statistics

use of statistical methods to meaningfully interpret data

Statistically significant

statement of how result reflects true large population difference

Meta-analysis

statistical procedure for analyzing results of multiple studies to reach an overall conclusion

Neuroplasticity

brain's ability to change; reorganize after damage and build new pathways

Neurons

nerve cells; basic building blocks of nervous system

Soma (cell body)

determines whether or not threshold is met

Dendrite

has receptors on it; receives and integrates messages from axons; post

Axon

passes messages through branches to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Myelin sheath

made of fatty acids; encases segments of axon for greater action potential speed

Terminal boutons

pre-synaptic membrane; house the vesicles

Glial cells

nervous system cells; support, nourish, and protect neurons; role in learning, thinking, and memory

Schwann cells

type of glial cell in PNS (peripheral nervous system)

Astrocytes

type of glial cell in CNS (central nervous system)

Refractory period

brief pause after neuron fires

Acetylcholine (ACh)

neurotransmitter with role in learning, memory, and muscle activity; when blocked muscles cannot contract—paralyzed

Dopamine

neurotransmitter with role in movement, learning, attention, and emotion; too much → schizophrenia; too little → Parkinson's

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal; too little → depression

Endorphins

short for endogenous morphine; "morphine within"; natural opioid

Serotonin

neurotransmitter that affects hunger, sleep, and arousal; undersupply → depression

Agonist

molecule that increases neurotransmitter actions

Antagonist

molecule that ANTAGONIZES/inhibits neurotransmitter actions

Curare

poison that can cause paralysis

Botulin

poison in improperly canned foods that causes paralysis; small amounts = Botox

Nervous system

body's speedy communication network; all nerves of peripheral and central nervous system

Central nervous system

body's decision maker

Peripheral nervous system

gathers information and sends it from CNS to body parts

Sensory neurons

carry messages into brain and spinal cord

Motor neurons

carry instructions to muscles and glands

Interneurons

process information between sensory and motor neurons

Somatic nervous system

voluntary control of muscles

Autonomic nervous system

self

Sympathetic nervous system

ACCELERATE; arouse and expend energy; slow digestion and reproduction

Parasympathetic nervous system

BRAKE; conserve energy; stimulate digestion and reproduction

Endocrine system

chemical communication system

Hormones

chemical messengers made by endocrine glands