Introduction to Psychology Exam 1 Study Guide

Vocabulary study cards summarizing foundational psychological schools, research methods, biological foundations, imaging techniques, and consciousness topics.

Structuralism

A historical school of thought in psychology focused on breaking down mental processes into their basic structural components.

Functionalism

A historical school of thought in psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes function to enable organisms to adapt to their environments.

Psychodynamic Approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing unconscious drives, internal conflicts, and early childhood experiences.

Behaviorism

A school of thought in psychology that focuses strictly on observable behaviors and environmental learning processes.

Humanistic Approach

A psychological perspective emphasizing free will, personal growth, self-actualization, and human potential.

Cognitive Approach

A psychological approach that investigates internal mental processes such as thinking, memory, perception, and problem-solving.

Naturalistic Observation

A research technique involving the observation and recording of subjects in their natural environment without intervention.

Surveys

A research method used to collect self-reported attitudes, opinions, or behaviors from a large sample of people.

Case Studies

An in-depth, detailed investigation of a single subject, group, or phenomenon.

Longitudinal Studies

A research design where the same group of participants is observed or tested repeatedly over an extended period.

Correlational Studies

Research designs that measure the statistical relationship or association between two or more variables without direct manipulation.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter to evaluate its effect.

Dependent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is measured to determine the outcome caused by manipulating the independent variable.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistical techniques used to organize, summarize, and describe data collected from a sample.

Inferential Statistics

Statistical methods used to draw conclusions, make predictions, and generalize results from a sample to a population.

Informed Consent

An ethical principle requiring researchers to inform subjects about a study's procedures, risks, and benefits before participation.

Deception

An ethical concern involving misleading research participants about the true purpose or nature of a study.

Debriefing

An ethical process conducted after a study where researchers explain the true purpose, hypotheses, and procedures to participants.

Axonal Transmission

The electrical transmission of an impulse or action potential down the axon of a neuron.

Synaptic Transmission

The chemical process by which neurotransmitters cross the synaptic gap to convey signals between neurons.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

The system of nerves connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the limbs and body organs.

Somatic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary motor movements and carrying sensory information to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response during stressful situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest-and-digest functions, returning the body to a calm state.

CT Scan

A brain imaging technique involving radiation that uses computer-processed X-ray measurements to build cross-sectional structural images.

PET Scan

A functional brain imaging technique involving radiation that tracks radioactive glucose consumption to show metabolic activity.

MRI

A structural brain imaging technique involving magnetic fields to produce detailed high-resolution images of soft tissues.

fMRI

A brain imaging technique involving magnetic fields that monitors blood flow and oxygen levels to map active brain areas.

EEG

A technique involving electrical activity that places electrodes on the scalp to record brain wave activity.

Principle of Lateralization

The concept that the left and right hemispheres of the brain specialize in performing different functions and tasks.

Pituitary Gland

The primary gland of the endocrine system that secretes hormones governing growth and regulating other endocrine glands.

Hypothalamus

A neural structure that links the nervous system to the endocrine system and regulates drive states like hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

Thalamus

A major subcortical structure acting as a relay station for sensory information directed to the cerebral cortex.

Consciousness

An individual's moment-to-moment subjective awareness of internal mental states and the external environment.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable, sudden sleep attacks and daytime sleepiness.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

A sleep disorder in which normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep is absent, leading individuals to physically act out dreams.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated, temporary pauses in breathing during sleep.

Night Terror

A sleep disturbance occurring during non-REM sleep characterized by extreme panic, fear, and physiological arousal.

Nightmare

A disturbing dream occurring during REM sleep that typically wakes the sleeper.

Stimulants

Psychoactive drugs that speed up central nervous system activity, increasing alertness, heart rate, and energy.

Depressants

Psychoactive drugs that slow down central nervous system activity and decrease physiological functioning.

Hallucinogens

Psychoactive drugs that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often inducing sensory hallucinations.

Hypnosis

An altered state of consciousness characterized by intense focus, heightened suggestibility, and deep relaxation.