PSYC 2301 Midterm Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts in psychology for the PSYC 2301 midterm exam.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Statistical Significance (p < .05)

Results are considered statistically significant if the p-value is less than 0.05.

Long Term Potentiation

A long-lasting increase in neural sensitivity; a biological mechanism for learning and memory.

Biopsychosocial Psychology

An approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors interacting in human behavior.

Psychoanalytic Psychology

Focuses on conflicts and past experiences that influence the unconscious mind.

Cognitive Psychology

Studies communication, thinking, knowing, and remembering.

Pseudopsychology

Involves false claims, not adhering to scientific processes.

Adaption/Protection Theory of Sleep

Suggests sleep saves energy and keeps us safe from predators.

Repair/Restoration Theory of Sleep

Indicates sleep helps the body recover by fixing tissues, clearing toxins, and reducing fatigue.

Growth/Development Theory of Sleep

Deep sleep (Stage 3) supports bodily and brain growth, especially in children.

Learning/Memory Theory of Sleep

States that sleep improves learning and strengthens memories.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemicals that change mental processes, such as awareness, mood, and perception.

Depressants

Also called 'downers', they slow down the body's processes, affecting the central nervous system.

Stimulants

Also known as 'uppers', they increase central nervous system activity.

Opiates/Opioids

Drugs derived from opium that reduce pain and numb the senses.

Hallucinogens

Also known as 'psychedelics', they alter perception and create sensory distortions.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response and increases arousal.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for 'rest and digest' activities, promoting relaxation.

Agonist Drugs

Bind to receptors and trigger responses in cells, mimicking neurotransmitter effects.

Antagonist Drugs

Block receptors and inhibit cell responses.

Nervous System vs Endocrine System

Nervous system communicates via fast electrical messages, while the endocrine system uses slower chemical messages.

Selective Attention

The process of focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others.

Feature Detectors

Brain tools that recognize specific features in visual stimuli.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Perceptual Constancies

Mental mechanisms that help us perceive stable characteristics (size, shape, color) despite changes.

Perceptual Set

A brain's predisposition to perceive stimuli in a certain way based on expectations.

Top-Down Processing

Information processing starting with expectations and then interpreting sensory input.

Bottom-Up Processing

Information processing starting with sensory input, building up to perception.

Gestalt Organizing Principles

Rules for how we perceive grouped objects, viewing the whole rather than individual parts.

Depth Perception in Infants

Infants can sense depth, improving as they begin to move.

Causal Relationships

Establishes cause and effect, typically proven through experiments.

Correlational Relationships

Indicates connections between variables without proving cause.

Independent Variable

The factor that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The factor that is measured in response to the independent variable.

Single-Blind Experiment

Only the participants are unaware of key aspects of the study.

Double-Blind Experiment

Both participants and researchers are unaware of key aspects, reducing bias.

Experimental Methods

Used to test cause and effect; controlled conditions.

Correlational Methods

Used to identify connections between variables with no causal relationship.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation derived from external rewards.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by internal satisfaction, preferred for long-term outcomes.

Empirical Data

Data based on observation or experiment, used to support scientific claims.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells that protect, nourish, and assist neurons.

Scientific Method Steps

1. Question and Literature Review 2. Testable Hypothesis 3. Research Design 4. Data Collection and Analysis 5. Publication 6. Theory Development.

Wilhelm Wundt

Established the first psychology laboratory in 1879, marking psychology as a scientific discipline.

William James

Focused on functionalism, studying behavior's purpose in adapting to the environment.

Sigmund Freud

Developed psychoanalysis, focusing on the unconscious and early childhood influence.

John B. Watson

Founded behaviorism, emphasizing observable behaviors over introspection.

B.F. Skinner

Expanded behaviorism through operant conditioning, emphasizing rewards and punishments.

Jean Piaget

Developed stages of cognitive development for child learning.

Carl Rogers

Introduced client-centered therapy in humanistic psychology.

Abraham Maslow

Created the hierarchy of needs, showing progression from basic needs to self-actualization.

Participant Bias

When a participant's expectations influence the results.

Placebo Effect

The effect of an inactive substance used as a control in experiments.

Neuron

The fundamental unit of the nervous system, consisting of dendrites, cell body, axon, and myelin sheath.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when it is not transmitting signals and is negatively charged inside.

Action Potential

The rapid change in electrical charge that occurs when a neuron transmits a signal.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt through experience.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress that can lead to anxiety and high blood pressure.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress linked to serious mental and physical health issues.

Trichromatic Theory of Color

Explains color perception via three types of cones sensitive to different wavelengths.

Opponent Process Theory

States color perception arises from opposing pairs of colors.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Describes the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Antidepressants

Medications that help balance brain chemicals affecting mood.

Aerobic Exercise

Natural mood booster that can aid in treating depression.

SSRIs

Newer, safer class of antidepressants.

MAOIs

Older antidepressants with more side effects.

Circadian Rhythm

The body's natural sleep-wake cycle, important for sleep and health.

Stages of Sleep

1. Light Sleep, 2. Sleep Spindles, 3. Deep Sleep, REM Sleep.

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis

Suggests dreams are the brain's way of making sense of random activity during sleep.

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Response

An automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process where behavior is controlled by consequences.

Successive Approximations

Gradual steps to achieve a goal in learning.

Shaping

Using successive approximations and rewards to shape behaviors.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase behavior.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Patterns of providing reinforcement to shape behavior.

Fixed Schedule

Set pattern of delivering rewards.

Variable Schedule

Random pattern of delivering rewards.

Ratio Schedule

Based on the number of actions performed.

Interval Schedule

Based on the amount of time elapsed.

Bits vs Chunks

Bits are individual pieces of info; chunks are grouped bits for easier recall.

Random Assignment

The process of randomly assigning participants to avoid bias.

Three-Stage Memory Model

Describes how information moves from sensory memory to short-term memory and then to long-term memory.

Echoic Memory

Auditory, lasts longer than iconic memory.

Iconic Memory

Visual, very short in duration.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Making meaningful connections to strengthen memory pathways.

Attribution Theory

Explains behavior by attributing it to personal or external factors.

Acronyms

New words formed from initial letters of a series of words.

Acrostics

Sentences created from the initial letters of a series of words.

Method of Loci

Visualization technique for memory by associating items with familiar locations.

Retroactive Interference

When new information disrupts the recall of old information.

Proactive Interference

When old information disrupts the learning of new information.