super cool super awesome practrice problems

What is psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

What do various types of psychologists do, and what is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist

Clinical psychologists treat mental disorders and provide therapy; Counseling psychologists help with everyday problems; Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.

What are the major perspectives that shape modern psychology

Cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, behavioral, biological, sociocultural, and Gestalt.

How do culture and norms relate to psychology

Culture influences behavior, communication, perception, and development.

What are social norms

Rules or expectations for behavior within a society.

What is cultural relativity

Judging behavior based on the values of the culture in which it occurs.

What methods are used in psychological research

Experiments, correlational studies, case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys.

Which method allows cause-and-effect conclusions

True experiments.

What are Humanistic, Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, Cognitive, and Gestalt psychology; Who were the major figures

Psychoanalytic — Freud; Humanistic — Maslow, Rogers; Behaviorism — Watson; Radical behaviorism — Skinner; Gestalt — Wertheimer.

What do the left and right sides of the brain do

Left = language, logic, analysis; Right = spatial skills, patterns, creativity.

What are the major nervous system divisions

CNS = brain + spinal cord; PNS = all nerves outside CNS; Somatic = voluntary; Autonomic = involuntary (sympathetic + parasympathetic).

What is the endocrine system

Hormone-producing glands.

What is a neuron

A nerve cell that sends and receives signals.

What do neurotransmitters do

Chemical messengers such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine.

What is neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to change, reorganize, and form new connections.

What are Piaget’s stages of cognitive development

Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete operational → Formal operational.

When does object permanence develop

Sensorimotor stage.

What is Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

Preconventional, Conventional, Postconventional.

How does language develop in children

Cooing at 6–8 weeks; Babbling at ~7 months; Gradual development of words and grammar.

What is nature vs nurture

Nature = genetics; Nurture = environment and experience.

Why are nature and nurture both important

They interact to shape development, personality, intelligence, and behavior.

What is attachment theory; What did Mary Ainsworth find

Secure, Avoidant, Ambivalent attachment styles.

What are the parenting styles

Authoritarian = strict; Permissive = few rules; Authoritative = warm + firm (best outcomes).

What is Erikson’s psychosocial theory

Eight psychosocial stages (e.g., identity vs role confusion).

What was Freud’s theory of personality development

Psychosexual stages driven by unconscious motives.

What is a sensitive period

A time when the brain is especially open to environmental influence and learning.

What are teratogens

Harmful prenatal substances that cause birth defects.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy; leads to cognitive and behavioral problems.

What are deprivation and enrichment

Deprivation = lack of normal stimulation; Enrichment = extra stimulation that enhances development.