psychology week 1 chp 2,3

Empiricism

Accurate knowledge of the world can be acquired by observation

Scientific method

Using empirical evidence to establish facts

Construct validity

How accurately is the operational definition developing this study

Reliability

Detect changes in the measure of a property

Independent variable

Manipulated variable

Dependent variable

Variable that's measured

Random sampling

Ensure every member of the population has a chance of being selected

Neurons

Cells in the nervous system, they communicate w/ one another and process information

Cell body (soma)

Component of the neuron that processes information keeps the cell alive

Dendrites

Receives information, relays to cell body

Axon

Carries information to other parts of the body

Myelin sheath

Insulating layer of fat

Glial cells

(Glue cells) serve as support

Synapse

Connective site between two neurons

Interneurons

Carry/connect neurons

Resting potential

Difference between electrical charge

Action potential

Electrical signal released

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers

CNS

Brain and spinal cord

Hindbrain

Allows info from spinal cord

PNS

Connects CNS to organs and muscles

Somatic nervous system

Skeletal and central nervous system connection

Sympathetic nervous

Fight flight freeze

Medulla

Heart, circulation, respiration

Reticular formation

Regulates sleep, wakefulness, arousal

Pons

Relays info (bridge in Latin)

Cerebral cortex

Entire area of the brain

Thalamus

Relay station, transfers info and filters it

Hypothalamus

Temp, hunger, arousal

Basal ganglia

Intentional movement

Endocrine system

Hormone

Pituitary gland

Releases hormones that affect the functions within the body

Corpus callosum

Connects brain hemispheres

Parietal lobe

Processes with touch

Epigenetics

Environmental influence on genetics