AP Psychology semester one exam

empiricism

the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should rely on observation and experimentation

structuralism

An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind. introduced by Edward Titchener

Functionalism

a school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function and how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish. Introduced by William James

Behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. most researcher psychologists today agree with (1) but not (2)

Humanistic Psychology

historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth

Cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (thinking, memory, language etc)

psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes of people and organisms. Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany.

psychometric

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits

developmental psychology

the scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout lifespan

Socrates and Plato

the mind is separable from the body and continues after the body dies. Knowledge is innate

Aristotle

derived principles from careful observations. Knowledge is not preexisting. It grows from experiences stored in our memories.Rene

Rene Descartes

agreed with Socrates and PLato about the existence of innate ideas and mind’s

William Wundt

established the first psych lab in Germany

Edward Titchener

Cornell professor who introduced the school of structuralism by using introspection to search for the mind’s structural elements

William James

Harvard philosopher-psychologist who introduced the school of functionalism by considering the functions of our thoughts and feelings. Wrote the textbook Principles of Psychology and tutored Mary Calkins

Mary Calkins

student of William James who became the first female president of the American Psychological Association. She also became a pioneering memory researcher.

Margaret Floy Washburn

became the first woman to receive a PhD in Psychology. She also studied animal behavior

Max Wertheimer

developed the Gestalt perspective

Behavioral Perspective

school of thought based on how we learn observable responses and experiences. Key people include John Watson & B. F. Skinner

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Perspective

school of thought based on how behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts. Key person is Sigmund FreudS

Humanistic Perspective

school of thought based on how we strive for personal growth. Key people include Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow

Cognitive Perspective

school of thought based on how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information. Key person is Jean Piaget

Biological/Neuroscience Perspective

school of thought based on how the body and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences

Evolutionary Perspective

the school of thought based on how evolution influences behavior. Key person is CHarles Darwin

Social-Cultural Perspective

school of thought based on how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures. Key person is Alfred Bandura

Gestalt Perspective

the school of thought based on the “organized whole”. Key people include Hohler, Wertheimer, and Koftka

case study

an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Longitudinal Study

studying a person or event over a long period of time (ex. the effetcs of medications on kids)

Cross sectional study

a study in which people of different ages a

Ex-post facto study

studying something after it happened naturally. look at the effect, seek the cause. (ex. birth defects)

operational definiton

specifically names the operations (steps or procedures) that the experimenter must use to control or measure the variables in the experiment. This allows the experiment to be replicated

Replication

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

confounding variable

a factor other than the IV that might produce an effect in an experiment (ex. the temperature of the room, external noises)

Mode

the measure of central tendency that is most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Mean

the measure of central tendency that is the arithmetic average of a distribution

Median

the measure of central tendency that is the middle score in a distribution (falls at thee 50th percentile). Half the scores are above it, half the scores are below it

Range

the measure of variation that is the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution. Expressed as a singular number

standard deviation

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

normal curve (normal distribution)

a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviaton of it) and fewer near the extremes

dendrites

what is A?

cell body/soma

what is B?

axon

what is C?

myelin sheath

what is D?

Nodes of Ranvier

what is E?

terminal branches of axon

what is F?

statistical significance

a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

illusory correlation

the perception of a relationship where none exists (ex. thinking you play better when you wear your lucky socks)

descriptive research method

a research method used to observe and record behavior. Examples are case studies, surveys, and naturalistic observation. No variable is manipulated.

Weaknesses of descriptive research

no control of variables; single cases may be misleading

Strengths of descriptive research

Case studies require one participant; surveys can be conducted quickly & cheaply; naturalistic observations may be done when it is not ethical to manipulate variables

Correlational research method

research method used to detect naturally occurring relationships; to assess how well one variable predicts another. Examples are computed statistical associations, usually done among survey responses. No variable is manipulated.

Strengths of Correlational Research

works with large groups of data; can be used in situations where an experiment would not be ethical or possible

Weaknesses of Correlational Research

does not specify cause and effect (weakness of a type of research)

Experimental research method

A research method used to explore cause and effect. Examples are manipulating one or more factors; using random assignment. The Independent Variable is manipulated.

Strengths of Experimental Research

specifies cause and effect; variables are controlled

Weaknesses of Experimental Research

sometimes not practical/possible; results may not generalize to other contexts; not ethical to manipulate certain variables

Nervous System

The body's speedy electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the PNS and CNS

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and the spinal cord make up this nervous system

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

connects CNS to he limbs and organs, essentially serving as a communication relay going back and forth between the brain and the extremities

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles (AKA the Skeletal Nervous System)

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. Controls the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations. "Fight or Flight"

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy. "Rest and Digest"

Reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and the spinal cord

motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and the spinal cord to the muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

soma (cell body)

the neuron's life support center that also produces neurotransmitters

dendrite

The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Nodes of Ranvier

spaces between the myelin

Schwann Cell

produces myelin

Action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Resting potential

The fluid interior of a resting axon has an excess of negatively charged ions, while the fluid outside the axon membrane has more positively charged ions

polarized

During the resting state of a neuron, when the outside is positively charged, and the inside is negatively charged

depolarized

axon is no longer at resting potential; outside is now negatively charged, and inside is not positively charged

refractory period

resting state after firing, in which the neuron goes back to its polarized resting state

synapse

the junction between the terminal branch of the synaptic gap

Synaptic Gap/Synaptic Cleft

the tiny gap at the synapse in which neurotransmitters cross

reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory. malfunctions include Alzheimer's disease with deteriorating ACh-producing neurotransmitters

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Malfunctions include schizophrenia (excess dopamine), Parkinson's disease (lack of dopamine)

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Malfunctions include depression (undersupply)

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal. Malfunctions include depressed mood (undersupply)

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A neurotransmitter that is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Malfunctions include seizures, tremors, and insomnia (undersupply)

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that is a major excitatory involved in memory. Malfunctions include migraines & seizures (oversupply)

Agonist

a molecule that may be similar enough to a neurotransmitter to bind to its receptor and mimic its effects (ex., morphine mimics endorphins to block pain)

Antagonist

a molecule that binds to receptors but blocks a neurotransmitter's functioning (ex., Botulin blocks ACh, causing paralysis)

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones

Pituitary glands

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Lesion

tissue destruction that is naturally or experimentally caused to help study regions and functions of the brain

EEG scan

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface

CT/CAT scan

a series of X-ray photographs of the brain taken from different angles and combined by computer to create an image that represents a slice through the brain

PET scan

measures the different levels of activity in the brain by detecting where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain is performing a given task

MRI scan

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of different structures of the brain

fMRI scan

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by composing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function

thalamus

The brain's sensory switchboard is located at the top of the brainstem. It directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex. It also transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla. The sense of smell does NOT go through the thalamus