intro to psych

Definition of psychology

The scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Wilhelm Wundt

• structuralism

• 1st psychology lab

• recorded reaction time (how fast someone could press a button after hearing the tone)

• mental elements (basic building blocks of the mind)

Structuralism

studies the elements of conscious experience through introspection

William James

• functionalism

• believed it was impossible to break down the mind into individual component

Functionalism

the purpose or function of thoughts and behaviors and how they help people adapt

stream of consciousness

there are no fixed structures, everything is changing

Psychoanalytic

Behavior is influenced by the unconscious mind and childhood experiences

Gestalt approach

• the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

• ex: Beethoven

Behaviorism

• Focuses on observable behavior and how behavior is learned( rewards, punishment, and conditioning)

• ex: pavlov’s dogs

Humanism

Focuses on free will, intentionality, potential for good

Cognitive Revolution

• renewed interest in the mind

• we process information, then have output through our behavior

• ex: ai

Multicultural

develop theories and conduct with diverse populations

Biopsychology

how the structure and function of the nervous system influences our behavior

Evolutionary approach

ultimate biological causes of behavior

Empirical method

Learning through observation, evidence, and experimentation.

Forensic psychology

Applying psychology to the law and criminal justice system.

Introspection

own thoughts, feelings, and conscious experiences.

Scientific method steps

1. theory

2. generate hypothesis

3. collect data

4. analyze data

5. summarize and report

6. confirm theory or modify theory

theory

broad explaination

hypothesis

testable relationship between variables

Approaches to research

• naturalistic observation

• surveys

• archival research

• case studies

Naturalistic observation

observation of behavior in its natural setting

Archival research

Using existing records or information that were already collected.

Case study

An in-depth study of one person or a small number of people.

Correlational research

Examines whether two variables are related

Positive correlation

variables move in the same direction

Negative correlation

variables move in opposite directions

Zero correlation

no consistent relationship

Correlation coefficient range

-1 to +1

Directionality problem

You do not know which variable caused or influenced the other.

Third-variable problem

Another variable may be responsible for the relationship between the two measured variables.

Experimental research

Uses manipulation, control, and random assignment and can test cause and effect.

Manipulation

The researcher changes the independent variable.

Independent variable

The variable that changes

Dependent variable

doesn’t change (measured)

experimental group

tested

control group

untested

Reliability

the ability to consistently produce a given result

Validity

the extent a given tool accurately measures what it’s supposed to

Potential research risks

Psychological stress, physical harm, loss of privacy or confidentiality.

Participant rights

Informed consent, debriefing

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

reviews research involving humans to make sure it is ethical and protects participants.

Attrition

When participants drop out of a study before it is finished.

Nervous system characteristics

Complex, integrated, has plasticity, and uses electrochemical transmission.

Neuronsneuron diargraneurne

nerve cells, information processing

Glial cells

Provide support and nutrition

Dendrites

Receive information from other neurons.

Cell body / Soma

Contains the cell's main structures and helps process information.

Axon

the long tail extention that transports electrical signals to other cells

Myelin sheath

Covers and protects the axon and helps signals travel

Terminal buttons

at the end of the axon and release neurotransmitters.

whats #1

axon

whats #2

dendrites

whats #3

cell body (soma)

whats #4

myeline sheath

whats #5

terminal buttons

Neuron signal direction

Dendrites → Cell body → Axon → Terminal buttons (DCAT)

Action potential

The electrical signal that travels down the axon.

Voltage-change sequence

Resting potential → depolarization → peak → repolarization → return to resting potential

All-or-none principle

Once threshold is reached, the neuron fires completely; if threshold is not reached, it does not fire.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Muscle action, memory, and learning

GABA

Inhibitory, sleep

Glutamate

Excitatory, memory, learning

Norepinephrine

Alertness

Dopamine

Voluntary movement, reward

Serotonin

Sleep, mood

Beta-endorphins

Pain, pleasure

Oxytocin

Attachment, emotional bonds

Sympathetic nervous system

Prepares the body for action in stressful situations (fight or flight)

Parasympathetic nervous system

Calms the body in stressful situations

Medulla

breathing, reflexes.

Pons

sleep, arousal.

Cerebellum

motor coordination

Thalamus

relay station for sensory information

Amygdala

emotional awareness and expression

Hippocampus

memory

Hypothalamus

Regulates the body's internal state, feeding, fleeing, and mating

Pituitary gland

master gland

Frontal lobe

Intelligence, personality

Parietal lobe

Location, attention, motor control

Temporal lobe

Hearing, language, memory

Occipital lobe

Vision

Somatosensory cortex

body sensation (parietal lobe)

Motor cortex

voluntary movement (frontal lobe)

Association cortex

Helps with higher thinking, memory, learning, and combining information. (all lobes)

Left hemisphere

• controls the right side

• selective attention, positive emotion

Right hemisphere

• controls the left side

• arousal, negative emotion

Corpus callosum

connects the left and right hemispheres and allows them to communicate

What is the name of the man in the famous brain damage case

Phineas Gage

Brain-damage recovery depends on

Age, location and extent of the damage

Endocrine system

series of glands that produce chemical substances known as hormones