PSY201

What are the main approaches to the study of psychology?

Structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalytic theory, gestalt movement, behaviorism, humanistic psychology, and cognitivism.

What levels of analysis are used in psychology?

Biological, individual, social, and cultural.

What does structuralism aim to identify?

Identify basic parts or structures of the conscious mind.

What is the primary focus of functionalism in psychology?

Describe how the conscious mind aids adaptation to the environment.

What is the goal of the research cycle in psychology?

To develop hypotheses as predictions based on theories and to test them.

What are the types of studies commonly used in psychological research?

Experimental, correlational, and descriptive studies.

What is the difference between causation and correlation?

Causation indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while correlation indicates a relationship without implying any direct influence.

What does the somatic nervous system do?

Acts on skeletal muscles and includes sensory and motor components.

What are the primary functions of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates involuntary actions such as heartbeat, digestion, and breathing.

What are the primary lobes of the brain and their functions?

Occipital (vision), temporal (hearing and memory), parietal (touch, spatial relations), and frontal (thought, planning movement).

What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

Chemical substances that transmit signals from one neuron to another.

What is the primary purpose of action potentials?

To rapidly transmit electrical signals down the axon of a neuron.

What are synaptic vesicles?

Structures that contain neurotransmitters and release them into the synaptic cleft.

What is the role of the corpus callosum?

Connects the two hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

What is meant by neural plasticity?

The brain's ability to change as a result of experience, drugs, or injury.

What are agonists and antagonists in the context of neurotransmitters?

Agonists increase neurotransmitter activity, while antagonists decrease or block it.

What does the term 'reflex circuit' refer to?

An automatic response pattern executed through the interaction of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

What is the significance of synaptic transmission?

It is how signals are transmitted between neurons through chemical messengers (neurotransmitters).

What does 'functional plasticity' refer to?

The brain's ability to change its physical structure due to learning or injury.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology?

Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistics, while qualitative research involves descriptive data for understanding concepts.

What is a placebo effect?

An improvement in health following treatment with a placebo, which has no active component.

What are primary sensory areas responsible for?

Receiving input from sensory surfaces in the body.

What is the primary motor area responsible for?

Sending axons down to motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord.