PSYCH 101 - Modules 1-9 Terms (Exam 1)

Correlation

when one variable tends to coincide with the other

• extent of correlation lets us know how well one can potentially predict the other variable.

Behaviorism

emphasizes study of observable behavior as people are “conditioned” rather than studying the mind through introspection.

Freudian Psych

developed by Sigmund Freud — studies how unconscious mind and childhood experience affect our behavior.

Humanistic Psych

explores human growth potential

• our needs

• how our environments impact us

Random Sampling

a technique that ensures every person in a population of interest have equal chance to be selected for a study.

Confounding variable

a variable that potentially skews the results on an experiment

• influencing both the independent and dependent variables.

Double-blind procedure

a research design where neither participants nor experimenters know who is receiving the treatment or placebo, reducing bias in results.

Standard deviation

number that illustrates how much scores differ from the mean (average) in a data set.

Range

number that represents how dispersed the scores are.

Statistically Significant

term concluding that the difference found in a sample isn’t by chance and can be applied to general population.

Not statistically significant

term concluding that the difference found in a sample IS by chance — can’t be applied to general population.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

the brain + the spinal cord = the body’s decision maker

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

gathers information from CNS and then transmitting it to other body parts.

Agonist

substance that promotes the increased production and release of neurotransmitters.

• also act as natural neurotransmitter (mimicking) — like how opioid drugs give you a temporary “high”.

Antagonist

substance that blocks the production and release of neurotransmitters (decreasing neurotransmitter action).

Sympathetic Nervous System

arouses energy

• ex: accelerates heartbeat when you have an important interview, initiates sweating to cool you down.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

calms the aroused energy

• ex: decreasing heartbeat, lowering blood sugar

Sensory Neurons

carry messages and sensory receptors to the CNS (to be processed).

Motor Neurons

• promote movement

carry directions from CNS outward to glands & muscles.

Interneurons

processes information between sensory input and motor output.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

records & reads out electrical waves in our brain’s neurons.

• measured on the surface (through the scalp, so indirect).

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

measures magnetic fields (+ their strength) from brain’s electrical activity.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

utilizes radioactive form of glucose to display brain activity

• records at the surface in great detail and timing.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

uses magnetic fields & radio waves to show brain structure & its tissue.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

comparing previous + sequential MRI scans to reveal blood flow, brain function, & brain structure.

Frontal Lobe

The hugest lobe, in the very front

• involved in planning, critical thinking, decision-making

Parietal Lobe

processes sensory information (touch, temp, pain)

• top middle

Temporal Lobe

functions also in processing sensory information like hearing, memory, and language)

• bottom middle

Occipital Lobe

functions in vision

• in the very back of brain

Stage 1 Sleep

“beginning of sleep”

• brain activity declines (sometimes accompanied by dream-like hypnogogic sensation)

Stage 2 Sleep

time of memory organization (day memories being moved to long-term cortex) and bodily slow down (heart rate, muscles, breathing)

Stage 3 & 4 Sleep

deep slowing (heart rate, breathing, brain activity) + memory traces replaced with long-term/more important memories

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

time of rapid eye movement

• extremely relaxed postrual muscles (which maintain balance and posture) = going immobile

• associated with positive improvements (mood, brain development)

• long-term dreams connected to old ones & general knowledge

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

tiny part of hypothalamus

• regulates circadian rhythm (daily wake/sleep schedule) by controlling other brain parts

• ex: the pineal gland which secretes melatonin to signal “it’s time to sleep”

Thalamus

egg-shaped sensory information router

• takes info from all senses except smell & leads this info to brain parts that deal with senses.

Amygdala

almond-shaped

• enables aggression and fear in individuals and animals

Hypothalamus

below thalamus

• governs bodily maintenance (hunger, thirst, body temp)

Motor Cortex

Somatosensory Cortex

Hippocampus

processes explicit memory

• damage to it can prevent one from making new memories

Endogenous Attention

Voluntary, goal-driven focus of attention.

Exogenous Attention

Involuntary shift of attention triggered by external stimuli

Inattentional blindness

not seeing something unusual, but obvious, because your mind was somewhere else.

Specialization of left brain hemipshere

• left half of brain

• processes language + regulates emotion

• guides motor activity of right side of body

Specialization of right brain hemipshere

• right half of brain

• controls left side of body (movement, sensation, creativity, music ability)