Psychology Study Guide: Exam 1

What does a correlation coefficient indicate?

The degree and direction of a relationship between two variables, ranging from -1.00 to +1.00.

When can cause-and-effect relationships be determined in research?

Only from experimental studies.

In an experiment, what is the independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

The measured outcome that is influenced by the independent variable.

What phenomenon occurs when researchers unintentionally influence the results of a study?

Experimenter bias.

What is an inactive treatment used for control in an experiment?

A placebo.

What type of study ensures that neither the researcher nor the participant knows the group assignments?

A double-blind study.

What research method involves observing behavior in its natural environment?

Naturalistic observation.

What research method involves an in-depth study of one individual?

A case study.

What research method primarily uses self-report questionnaires or interviews?

A survey.

What is the basic cell responsible for receiving and transmitting information in the nervous system?

A neuron.

What is the junction between two neurons called?

A synapse.

What are the chemical messengers released from terminal buttons that transmit signals across synapses?

Neurotransmitters.

What principle states that a neuron either fires completely or not at all?

The all-or-none law.

Which brain lobe is primarily responsible for motor control, higher mental processes, and speech production?

The frontal lobe.

Which brain lobe processes sensory input?

The parietal lobe.

Which brain lobe is dedicated to vision?

The occipital lobe.

Which brain lobe is involved in hearing, memory, and language comprehension (Wernicke’s area)?

The temporal lobe.

Which brain structure is responsible for coordination and balance, and is impaired by alcohol?

The cerebellum.

What two structures comprise the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

The brain and the spinal cord.

What are the two main divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System and their functions?

The somatic (voluntary tasks) and autonomic (involuntary tasks) nervous systems.

What are the three stages of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome?

Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

According to the General Adaptation Syndrome, what happens during the resistance phase?

Energy is expended adapting to the stressor.

What coping strategy involves changing or eliminating the source of stress?

Problem-focused coping.

What coping strategy focuses on managing emotional responses to stress?

Emotion-focused coping.

What are some examples of 'life changes' that act as stressors?

Death, divorce, and moving.

What is positive stress called, which can be motivating and exciting?

Eustress.

What scale measures life stress by assigning 'life change units'?

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes & Rahe).

What is defined as a blocked goal pursuit?

Frustration.

What is the term for a forced choice between incompatible options?

Conflict.

What is an internal locus of control?

The belief that outcomes depend on one’s own actions.

What is an external locus of control?

The belief that outcomes are determined by outside forces (e.g., fate, God).

What is the process where other scientists evaluate research for publication?

Peer review.

What type of research aims to advance general scientific knowledge?

Basic research.

What type of research focuses on solving practical problems?

Applied research.

In terms of stress and health, what can act as coping resources?

Positive beliefs and intrinsic motivation.

What is a common theme identified in major stressors with respect to stress and health?

Loss of social support.

Iris

Colored part of the eye; controls size of the pupil.

Pupil

Opening through which light enters; size adjusts with lighting.

Lens

Focuses light onto retina.

Rods

Specialized for low-light vision; poor with color.

Cones

Specialized for color and detail; work best in bright light.

Afterimages

Prolonged stimulation fatigues certain color channels, producing opposite-color rebounds (explained by the opponent-process theory).

Binocular cues

Depth perception cues that require two eyes.

Retinal disparity

Slightly different views from each eye combine to perceive depth.

Monocular cues

Depth perception cues that can be seen with one eye.

Linear perspective

Monocular cue where parallel lines appear to converge (e.g., highway lanes at horizon).

Texture gradient

Monocular cue where details are visible up close, but blended at a distance (e.g., wheat fields).

Aerial perspective

Monocular cue where distant objects appear hazier due to particles in the air.

Motion parallax

Monocular cue where nearer objects move faster across the retina than distant ones (e.g., cars below an airplane appearing to grow quickly in size).

Relative size

Monocular cue where smaller retinal images are perceived as farther away.

Gestalt psychology

Emphasizes perceiving wholes rather than disconnected parts in perceptual organization.

Gestalt Principles

Key principles of perceptual organization including closure, similarity, proximity, and continuity, emphasizing perception of wholes.

Place Theory

Theory of pitch where different locations on the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies (best explains high frequencies).

Frequency Theory

Theory of pitch where hair cells and auditory neurons fire at the same rate as the sound wave (best explains low frequencies).