Midterm 1

Psychology

The scientific study of the mind, behavior, and brain.

Mind

The internal states and processes of an individual, which cannot be directly observed but can be inferred through observation and measurable responses.

Brain

The focus of psychology on behavior and actions that can be directly observed.

Scientific Approach

The ongoing process of collecting data, evaluating evidence, and testing beliefs about the world.

Empirical Evidence

Evidence gained through experience and observation.

Steps to the Scientific Approach

Making observations, formulating hypotheses, developing testable predictions, gathering data, refining hypotheses, and developing general theories.

Basic Research

Research conducted to seek knowledge.

Applied Research

Research that uses knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Levels of Analysis

Environmental, psychological, and biological factors that influence behavior.

Mind-Body Dualism

The belief that the mind is a separate spiritual entity from the physical body.

Monism

The philosophical idea that all things in existence are part of the same essential oneness or whole.

Declarative Memory

Conscious recall of facts.

Nondeclarative Memory

Procedural memory.

Structuralism

The study of the basic elements of psychological experiences through introspection.

Functionalism

The study of the adaptive function of psychological experiences and consciousness.

Psychodynamic Theory

The search for the causes of behavior within internal unconscious forces.

Behavioral Perspective

The focus on the role of the external environment in shaping behavior.

Cognitive Behaviorism

The belief that humans are thinking creatures who learn new behaviors by observing others.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes free will, personal growth, and finding meaning in existence.

Gestalt Psychology

The study of how elements of experience are organized into wholes.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of mental processes, often through recording neural activity during cognitive tasks.

Sociocultural Perspective

The study of how the social environment influences behavior.

Biological Perspective

The study of how brain processes and bodily functions regulate behavior.

Hindsight Understanding

Reliance on explanations after the fact.

Subject Designs

Between-subjects design and within-subject design.

Research Validity

Internal validity and construct validity.

Descriptive Research

Research that aims to identify and understand behavior in natural settings.

Statistical Significance

The minimum level of significance in statistical analysis.

Neurons

Building blocks of the nervous system specialized for communication.

Glial Cells

Cells that support neurons and perform various functions.

Resting Neuron

Neurons at rest with a membrane potential of about -70mV.

Action Potential

A sudden reversal in the neuron's membrane voltage.

Graded Potentials

Small changes in the electrical potential of a neuron that may bring it closer or further from firing an action potential.

Myelin

Insulation around axons that increases the speed of signal transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that carry messages across synapses.

Agonists

Enhance the neuron's ability to synthesize, store, or release neurotransmitters.

Antagonists

Reduce the neuron's ability to synthesize, store, or release neurotransmitters.

Sensory Neurons

Carry messages from senses to the spinal cord and brain.

Motor Neurons

Transmit output impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs.

Interneurons

Link the input and output functions.

Peripheral Nervous System

Nerves that extend outside the central nervous system.

Somatic Nervous System

Sensory and motor neurons.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Controls fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Slows down body processes.

Central Nervous System

Composed of the spinal cord and brain.

Medulla

Responsible for vital functions and sensory and motor tracts.

Pons

Regulates sleep and is involved in dreaming.

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscular movement and balance.

Midbrain

Contains relay centers for visual and auditory systems.

Reticular Formation

Involved in consciousness, sleep, and attention.

Thalamus

Sensory processing and relay station.

Basal Ganglia

Involved in voluntary motor control.

Hypothalamus

Regulates internal state and basic biological drives.

Limbic System

Coordinates behaviors related to motivation and emotion.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Sensory Cortex

Receives sensory input and gives rise to sensations.

Broca's Area

Involved in speech production.

Wernicke

What is psychology?

The scientific study of the mind, behavior, and the interaction between the two.

What is the scientific approach?

The scientific method is an ongoing process of collecting data, evaluating evidence, and testing beliefs about the world.

What is empirical evidence?

Evidence gained through experience and observation.

What are the steps to the scientific approach?

Make observations, think of questions, formulate a hypothesis, develop testable predictions, gather data to test predictions, refine, alter, expand or reject hypothesis, develop general theories, restart from step 1.

What is basic research?

Research done to seek knowledge.

What is applied research?

Using knowledge to solve real-world problems.

What are the levels of analysis in psychology?

Environmental, psychological, and biological.

What is mind-body dualism?

The belief that the mind is a separate spiritual entity from the body.

What is monism?

The belief that the mind and body are intertwined.

What are the two types of long-term memory?

Declarative memory (conscious recall of facts) and nondeclarative memory (procedural memory).

What is psychophysics?

The study of how psychologically experienced stimuli depend on characteristics of physical stimuli.

What is structuralism?

The analysis of the mind in terms of its basic elements.

What is functionalism?

The study of the adaptive function of psychological experience and consciousness.

What is psychodynamic theory?

The theory that looks for causes of behavior within our internal unconscious forces.

What is behaviorism?

The perspective that focuses on the role of the external environment in shaping our actions.

What is cognitive behaviorism?

The perspective that emphasizes the role of thinking and learning from observing others in shaping behavior.

What is the humanistic perspective?

The perspective that emphasizes free will, personal growth, and finding meaning in existence.

What is gestalt psychology?

The study of how elements of experience are organized into wholes.

What is cognitive psychology?

The study of mental processes.

What is sociocultural psychology?

The study of how the social environment influences behavior.

What are neurons?

The building blocks of the nervous system that are specialized for communication and connect with other neurons.

What are glial cells?

Cells that support neurons by providing nutrients, forming the myelin sheath, and protecting the brain from toxins.

What

Psychology

_______ is the scientific study of the mind, behavior, and internal states and processes.

Mind

Psychology focuses on the internal states and processes of the _______.

Processes

In psychology, _______ in the mind are inferred through observation and measurable responses.

Brain

Psychology also focuses on behavior and action/responses that can be directly observed in the _______.

Scientific Approach

The _______ is an ongoing process of collecting data, evaluating evidence, and testing beliefs about the world.

Empirical evidence

_______ is evidence gained through experience and observation.

Observations

The first step in the scientific approach is to _______.

Hypothesis

After making observations, the next step is to formulate a _______.

Testable Predictions

The scientific approach involves developing _______ based on the hypothesis.

Data

Gathering _______ is necessary to test the predictions.

Basic Research

_______ is conducted to seek knowledge.

Applied Research

_______ uses knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Environmental

The _______ level of analysis in psychology focuses on past and current physical/social environments.

Psychological

The _______ level of analysis in psychology focuses on thoughts, feelings, and motives.

Biological

The _______ level of analysis in psychology focuses on brain processes and genetic influences.

Mind-body Dualism

_______ is the belief that the mind is a separate spiritual entity from the body.

Monism

_______ is the belief that the mind and body are intertwined.

Declarative memory

_______ is the conscious recall of facts.