Biopsychology, Research Design, and Sensation & Perception (Fill-in-the-Blank Flashcards)

A set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on correlational vs experimental designs, biopsychology, brain structures, neurotransmitters, the stress response, and sensation & perception.

Correlational designs look at the relation between two or more variables. They can show positive or negative correlations, but correlations do not show __.

causation

The design that can show cause and effect is the __ design.

experimental

In an experiment, the experimental condition is the __ treatment.

intended

The control condition is the __ group.

comparison

A placebo is an __ substance used as the control condition.

inert

Randomization is the process by which participants are assigned to groups, typically via a __ program.

computer

What the researcher manipulates in an experiment is called the __ variable.

independent

The variable that is measured in an experiment is the __ variable.

dependent

The changes we expect to see are called the __ variable.

outcome

Biopsychology studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the __.

environment

The subfield focusing on the brain and psychological processes is __.

neuroscience

A neuron carries messages between the brain and other parts of the body; a neuron is the __ cell.

nerve

The axon transfers a nerve impulse from the cell body to a __ with another cell.

synapse

Dendrites are the branch projections that spread the electrical stimulation to the __.

soma

The synapse is the place where a signal passes from one neuron to another, leading to the end result of __.

neurotransmitters

Serotonin and norepinephrine, when low, have been found to be related to __.

depression

Dopamine is related to control of movement, emotional responses, and the ability to experience pleasure; too much firing too rapidly is related to __.

schizophrenia

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps with sleep; long-term alcohol use reduces __ and can disrupt sleep.

GABA

The endocrine system releases hormones; cortisol is related to the body's __ response.

stress

The stress response involves the amygdala activating the hypothalamus; the hypothalamus activates the two nervous-system branches: the and the .

sympathetic; parasympathetic

The left hemisphere is responsible for verbal and language abilities, while the right hemisphere is associated with music, artistic expression, and __.

emotional expression

The corpus callosum connects the left and right __.

hemispheres

The frontal lobe is responsible for __ and movement.

thinking

The parietal lobe deals with touch sensation and __ relationships.

spatial

The temporal lobe processes __ and language.

sound

The thalamus acts as the brain's sensory __ center.

relay

The amygdala is involved in our emotions like fear and __.

aggression

Perception is the process that makes sensory patterns __.

meaningful

Absolute threshold is the weakest stimulus that can be detected __ of the time.

half

Difference threshold is the minimum difference between two stimuli noticed __ of the time.

half

Sensory adaptation is the process by which a constant stimulus leads to decreased __ to it.

sensitivity

The sense of smell is also called __.

olfaction

Smell goes directly to the __ bulb, bypassing the thalamus.

olfactory

Gustation is the sense of __.

taste

Pheromones are chemical signals used for communication and can influence sexual attraction and __.

reactions

Touch is processed by the __ lobe.

parietal

Perception is the process that makes sensory patterns __.

meaningful