Ultimate Guide (IB)

What does the biological approach to understanding behavior assume?

It assumes that behavior has physiological origins like brain structure, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

Define the bidirectional relationship in the biological approach.

Biology affects behavior, and behavior can influence biology.

List one limitation of case studies in biological research.

There is no cause-effect due to lack of variable manipulation.

What does triangulation refer to in research?

Using multiple sources of data, methods, researchers, and theories to increase reliability.

What is an MRI and its use in brain research?

MRI is a non-invasive technology used to obtain high-resolution images of brain structures.

What does PET measure in brain research?

PET measures glucose metabolism to show brain activity but has lower resolution.

How does an fMRI work?

An fMRI shows real-time brain activity by measuring blood flow.

What does the concept of localization state in brain functions?

Specific functions are localized in specific brain areas.

Define plasticity in the context of the brain.

Plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change its structure based on experience.

What was the conclusion of Rosenzweig et al.'s (1972) study on enriched environments?

Enriched environments lead to a thicker cortex.

What did Maguire et al. (2000) find about London taxi drivers?

London taxi drivers have larger hippocampi compared to others.

What is the role of the amygdala according to the limbic system functions?

The amygdala is responsible for fear and emotional memory.

What function does the hippocampus serve?

The hippocampus is involved in memory transfer.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

The hypothalamus regulates emotion, hunger, and circadian rhythm.

What neurotransmitter is important for working memory?

GABA is important for working memory.

Which neurotransmitter is essential for memory formation in the hippocampus?

Acetylcholine is essential for memory formation in the hippocampus.

What is the function of neurotransmitter agonists?

Agonists enhance the effect of neurotransmitters.

What do antagonists do with neurotransmitters?

Antagonists block the action of neurotransmitters.

What are the three main hormones related to emotion and behavior and their functions?

Adrenaline (emotional memory), cortisol (stress response), oxytocin (social bonding).

What is epigenetics?

Epigenetics refers to the way the environment can affect gene expression.

What did twin studies reveal about the heritability of depression?

MZ twins show higher concordance rates for depression than DZ twins.

What percentage of heritability did Kendler et al. (2006) attribute to depression?

Kendler found that depression is approximately 38% heritable.

How does the 5-HTT gene affect depression risk according to Caspi et al. (2003)?

The 5-HTT gene variation increases depression risk after stressful events.

Describe the Social Competition Hypothesis related to depression.

It suggests that depression may reduce conflict after social defeat.

What does the Pathogen Host Defense Hypothesis propose?

It suggests that depression may help avoid infection by linking it to immune system responses.

Why is animal research sometimes used in psychology?

Animal research is used when human research is unethical or impractical.

What are the benefits of using animals in research?

Shorter life spans and controlled environments.

Cite a study that investigated acetylcholine and memory in rats.

Rogers & Kesner (2003) studied acetylcholine's role in memory in rats.

What did LeDoux (1994) explore in his study?

LeDoux investigated the amygdala's role in fear responses.

What was the focus of Harlow's study on monkeys?

Harlow studied attachment behavior in monkeys.

What ethical considerations govern animal research?

Ethical standards are regulated by laws like the Animal Welfare Act.

How do human behaviors relate to gene-environment interactions?

Research indicates behaviors are shaped by interactions between genes and environmental factors.

Define schema theory in cognitive psychology.

Schema theory explains how we organize and interpret information using mental frameworks derived from prior experiences.

What is a schema?

Schemas are mental representations of knowledge formed from experiences.

What are scripts in the context of schema theory?

Scripts are a type of schema that relates to sequences of events, often learned through cultural interaction.

How did Bartlett contribute to schema theory and memory?

Bartlett showed that memory is reconstructive and influenced by cultural schemas.

What are the three stages of memory explained by schema theory?

Encoding, storage, and retrieval.

How do schemas influence memory encoding?

Schemas shape how we interpret and organize new information during encoding.

What is the Multi-store Model of Memory?

A model proposing three memory stores: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).

What are the key components of the Multi-store Model?

Encoding, rehearsal, and retrieval processes within the memory stores.

List one strength of the Multi-store Model of Memory.

Supports the existence of multiple memory stores.

What is a limitation of the Multi-store Model?

It is oversimplified as STM is not just a 'gateway' to LTM.

What is the Working Memory Model (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974)?

A model suggesting that short-term memory consists of different stores for different types of information.

List the key components of the Working Memory Model.

Central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.

What does the Central Executive do in the Working Memory Model?

It manages attention and coordinates the sub-systems.

What is the function of the Phonological Loop?

It processes auditory information and consists of the articulatory control system and phonological store.

How do Dual-Task Techniques support the Working Memory Model?

Participants performing concurrent tasks demonstrate that different systems process auditory and visual information separately.

What is one criticism of the Working Memory Model?

Some components remain hypothetical and not fully understood.

Define the reliability of cognitive processes in psychology.

It refers to how consistent the information is over time.

Discuss the concept of reconstructive memory as pointed out by Loftus.

Memory is not infallible and can be influenced by external factors like leading questions.

Give an example of a study demonstrating reconstructive memory.

Loftus's study on the Washington DC sniper and the myth of the white van.

What is a counterargument supporting the reliability of memory?

Yuille and Cutshall's study found eyewitnesses were highly reliable despite leading questions.

Discuss the relationship between emotion and memory.

Emotional experiences are remembered better, suggesting a link between emotions and memory retention.

What is flashbulb memory according to Brown and Kulik?

Flashbulb memory is a highly detailed, vivid 'snapshot' of an emotional event.

What challenges does the flashbulb memory theory face?

Cultural differences and difficulties verifying the accuracy of memories can complicate the theory.

What is the importance-driven model regarding flashbulb memories?

It suggests that personal consequences drive the intensity of emotional reactions behind flashbulb memories.

How does the amygdala support flashbulb memory according to biological research?

The amygdala is critical in forming enduring emotional memories.

What is one strength of flashbulb memory theory as indicated by research?

There is biological evidence supporting the role of emotion in memory formation.

What are the limitations of the flashbulb memory theory?

The theory faces criticisms around confidence versus accuracy and cultural differences.

What does the anchoring bias refer to in decision-making?

Anchoring bias occurs when individuals rely heavily on the first piece of information when making decisions.

What does the framing effect describe in psychological terms?

The framing effect indicates that people's choices can be influenced by how information is presented.

How does the Dual Processing Model relate to emotion and decision-making?

The model states that we have two distinct thinking modes, intuitive (System 1) and rational (System 2), which are influenced by emotions.

What is the Somatic Marker Hypothesis?

Damasio's hypothesis that emotional processes guide decision-making.

What does the Dual Processing Model suggest about cognitive load?

Increased emotional involvement affects the processing ability of System 2, leading to reliance on System 1.

What does the significance of cultural priming imply in psychological research?

Cultural priming can shape individuals' behaviors and decisions based on cultural contexts.

What was the implication of Wong and Hong's (2005) study on cultural priming?

Priming participants with cultural icons changed their social behaviors towards cooperation.

What is the Facebook experiment referring to in social media impact studies?

Studies suggest that social media influences perception and behavior, such as social comparison and identity.

Explain the concept of the Google Effect on memory.

The Google Effect refers to the tendency of individuals to forget information they can easily look up online.

Discuss the findings of Sparrow et al. regarding internet use and memory.

Sparrow et al. found that reliance on online search engines diminished individuals' efforts in remembering information.

What does Storm et al.'s (2016) study highlight about internet search?

Storm et al. discovered that successful information retrieval from Google increased one's future reliance on it rather than personal memory.

Define self-concept in psychology.

Self-concept refers to the individual's belief about oneself, including personality attributes and self-identity.

How does self-esteem differ from self-concept?

Self-esteem is the emotional response and evaluation of one's self-concept.

What does Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory explore?

It explains that individuals compare themselves with others to determine their self-worth.

What are the implications of social media on self-esteem according to recent research?

Social media can amplify negative self-comparisons, affecting users' self-esteem and perceptions.

Describe the difference between surface culture and deep culture.

Surface culture includes visible elements like language and customs, while deep culture involves underlying social norms and values.

What is enculturation?

Enculturation is the process through which individuals learn and adopt the norms and values of their own culture.

Explain the role of acculturation in cultural adaptation.

Acculturation is the adaptation to a new culture, affecting attitudes, identity, and behavior.

What are emic and etic approaches in cultural psychology?

Emic approach involves insider perspectives, while etic approach involves outsider perspectives on cultural phenomena.

What is the significance of universalist vs. relativist approaches in psychology?

Universalist assumes shared psychological processes across cultures, while relativist assumes distinct processes within cultural groups.

Discuss the importance of validity in diagnosis concerning mental health disorders.

Validity refers to how accurately a diagnosis reflects the actual disorder, critical for effective treatment.

What constitutes a reliable diagnosis in psychology?

A reliable diagnosis is consistent across different assessors and over time.

How does cultural bias affect the reliability of a diagnosis?

Cultural biases may lead to misinterpretation of symptoms and therefore misdiagnosis.

What are culture-bound syndromes?

Abnormal behaviors unique to a specific culture, often not recognized outside that culture.

Define stigma and its impact on mental health.

Stigma negatively affects individuals with mental disorders, leading to discrimination and social consequences.

What is the 'self-fulfilling prophecy' in relation to mental health diagnosis?

The expectation associated with a diagnosis may lead individuals to conform to the label, influencing behavior negatively.

Describe the diathesis-stress model's perspective on mental health disorders.

It suggests mental disorders arise from the interaction between biological predisposition and environmental stressors.

What does the noradrenaline and serotonin hypotheses address in depression?

They emphasize the role of neurotransmitter imbalances in the development of depression.

Identify a limitation of the neurochemical theory regarding depression.

The quick onset of antidepressants compared to slow neurotransmitter changes challenges the direct causation theory.

What is CBT and its relevance in treating depression?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective treatment that focuses on altering negative thought patterns associated with depression.

What does cognitive restructuring in CBT involve?

It involves challenging and changing irrational or dysfunctional beliefs contributing to depression.

Discuss the role of the therapist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

The therapist helps clients challenge beliefs, reframe thinking, and promotes active participation in the therapeutic process.

What is the significance of home assignments in CBT?

Home assignments reinforce learning and encourage clients to apply CBT techniques outside sessions.

How does gender influence relational dynamics according to research findings?

Gender roles impact relationship dynamics, with different expectations affecting cooperation and intimacy.

What are the essential factors contributing to prosocial behavior according to social psychology?

Biological factors, emotional states, and sociocultural dynamics significantly influence prosocial behavior.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors when explaining others' behaviors.

How do cognitive biases affect decision making?

Cognitive biases lead to systematic errors in reasoning, judgment, and decision-making.

What does the Social Exchange Theory propose about relationships?

Relationships are maintained based on continuous comparison of costs and benefits.

How do cross-cultural studies help in understanding relationships?

They reveal how cultural differences shape perceptions of attraction and relationship dynamics.

What are some strengths of an eclectic therapy approach?

An eclectic approach combines multiple therapeutic techniques to better address individual needs.

Describe the impact of social support on coping with stress.

Social support helps alleviate stress, providing individuals with resources and emotional backing.