PSY1101 Midterm Study Sheet

These flashcards cover key concepts from the PSY1101 Midterm Study Sheet, focusing on important definitions and theories in psychology.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Observable actions such as speaking, eating, and crying.

Mental Processes

Internal experiences like thinking, feeling, and memory.

Experimental Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies behavior, thought, and learning using lab and field experiments.

Clinical Psychology

Branch of psychology that assesses and treats emotional and behavioral disorders through therapy.

Scientific Method

A systematic process used in psychology to form testable hypotheses and collect measurable data.

Empirical Evidence

Data collected from observation or experiment, forming the basis of scientific study.

Dualism

The theory that the mind and body are separate, with the mind controlling the body.

Phrenology

An early theory suggesting that bumps on the skull indicate traits and abilities.

Structuralism

An approach that breaks consciousness into basic elements via introspection.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge comes from experience.

Nativism

The belief that some ideas or abilities are inborn.

Behaviorism

The theory that psychology should study observable behavior exclusively.

Cognitive Revolution

The shift in psychology during the 1950s to include the study of mental processes.

Biological Analysis

The level of analysis focusing on brain structure, genes, and hormones.

Psychological Analysis

The level of analysis involving learning, perception, and emotion.

Sociocultural Analysis

The level of analysis examining culture, family, and environment in relation to behavior.

SQ3R Method

A study strategy that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review.

Active Learning Techniques

Strategies to enhance learning through actively engaging with the material.

Problem Tenacity

Knowledge acquired based on tradition, which may not be accurate.

Intuition

Knowledge based on personal feelings, which can lead to biased conclusions.

Authority

Knowledge based on the word of an expert, which can sometimes be incorrect.

Rationalism

Knowledge obtained through logical reasoning.

Case Study

In-depth analysis of one or few cases, useful for rare phenomena.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in a natural setting without manipulation.

Survey

Collecting self-reported data from a large sample.

Correlational Research

Research that measures the relationship between variables without implying causation.

Experimental Research

Research involving manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to groups randomly to remove bias.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive treatment, serving as a baseline.

Neurons

Specialized cells that transmit information in the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Support cells that nourish and insulate neurons.

Action Potential

The electrical impulse that travels down an axon when a neuron fires.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle action, learning, and memory.

Dopamine (DA)

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, reward, and pleasure.

Serotonin (5-HT)

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and produce feelings of euphoria.

Hindbrain

A brain region that controls basic life functions like breathing.

Forebrain

A brain region involved in emotion, memory, and thought.

Frontal Lobe

Area of the brain responsible for planning, decision-making, and motor control.

Temporal Lobe

Brain area involved in hearing, memory, and language.

Occipital Lobe

Area of the brain primarily responsible for vision.

Broca’s Aphasia

A language disorder from frontal lobe damage affecting speech production.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

A language disorder from temporal lobe damage affecting language comprehension.

Alzheimer's Disease

A degenerative brain disorder associated with memory loss and cognitive decline.

Gestalt Principles

Concepts explaining how the brain organizes visual elements into groups.

Sensation

The process of detecting sensory input from the environment.

Perception

The organization and interpretation of sensory information.

Depth Perception

The ability to perceive distance and three-dimensionality.

Balance & Movement

Sensory systems that help maintain posture and coordination.

Taste (Gustation)

The sensory system responsible for the perception of flavor.

Smell (Olfaction)

The sensory system responsible for detecting odors and scents.

Sound Localization

The ability to determine the origin of a sound based on timing and intensity.