Psych 100 Exam 1 (PSU Crosby)

Behaviorism

All behavior is learned through a focus on observable behavior

case study

Detailed investigations of one subject. Highly detailed, but specific to one case

control group

Group that is not exposed to the Independent variable

Correlation

A measure of the relationship between two variables

dependent variable

Variable that represents the measurable response of participants

Experiment

The only method that allows researchers to determine the cause of a behavior

experimental group

Group that is exposed to the change that the independent variable represents

Functionalism

Focus of study is how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, and play. (William James)

Gestalt psychology

Early perspective; focus on perception and sensation, particularly patterns and whole figures. (Max Wertheimer)

Goals of Psychology

Describe, Explain, Predict, Control

Hypothesis

tentative explanation of a phenomenon based on observations

independent variable

variable that is manipulated in an experiment

Ivan Pavlov

discovered classical conditioning; trained dogs to salivate at the ringing of a bell

John B. Watson

All behavior is learned. Focus on the conscious mind. "Little Albert" experiment

Laboratory Observation

Involves watching animals or people in an artificial but controlled situation. High level of control, but artificial.

Psychodynamic

Focus on the unconscious. (Sigmund Freud) (modern perspective #1)

Cognitive

Process of thought (modern perspective #4)

Sociocultural

Relationship between social behavior and culture (modern perspective #5)

Humanistic

People have the freedom to choose their own destiny. Everyone is unique. (Modern perspective #3)

Biopsychosocial

Attributes human and animal behavior and mental events to biological factors (modern perspective #6)

Evolutionary

Biological, mental traits shared by all humans (modern perspective #7)

naturalistic observation

Watching animals or people in their natural environments. Lack of control

Objective introspection

Process of examining and measuring one's own thoughts and mental activities (Wilhelm Wundt)

observer bias

Observer may have a tendency to see what they expect to see

Observer Effect

If people know they're being observed, they may behave differently

placebo effect

Expectations and biases of participants can affect their behavior

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Representative sample

randomly selected sample of subjects from a larger population of subjects

Scientific Method

a system for reducing bias and error in the measurement of data (5 steps)

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist known for his work on the unconscious mind. Father of psychoanalysis.

Structuralism

the analysis of the basic elements that constitute the mind

Wilhelm Wundt

established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Father of psychology

accomodation

The alteration or adjustment of old schemas to include new information

Adolescence

Period of life between the onset of puberty and the time adult status is approached, when young people are preparing to take on the roles and responsibilities of adulthood

Biological transition in adolescence

Puberty, growth spurt, changes in sexual development, sleep schedules

Cognitive transition in adolescence

1. Thinking about possibilities

2. Thinking about abstract concepts

3. Thinking about thinking (metacognition)

4. Thinking in multiple dimensions

5. Seeing knowledge as relative

Psychosocial transition in adolescence

Parent-teen conflict

Assimilation

The incorporations of new information into existing schemas

attatchment

Emotional bond between an infant and the primary caregiver

Centration

Focused on one feature, rather than taking all features into consideration

Chromosome

tightly wound strand of genetic material or DNA

cognitive development

Includes the development of thinking, problem solving, and memory

Conservation

Ability to understand that changing the appearance of an object doesn't change its nature

Egocentrism

the inability to see the world through anyone else's eyes

Gene

Section of DNA having the same arrangement of chemical elements

Genetics

The scientific study of inherited traits

Human development

study of changes in people from conception until death

Lawrence Kohlberg

Developmental psychologist who developed a theory of the development of moral thinking. (People responding to stories about people in moral dilemmas)

Language Development

5 stages:

Cooing (2 months)

Babbling (6 months old)

One word speech (1 year old)

Telegraphic speech (1.5 year old)

Whole sentences (preschool)

Nature vs. Nurture

Do our traits come from DNA, or from the world around us (environment)

object permanence

the knowledge that an object exists even when it is not in sight

Jean Piaget

Created the 4 stages of cognitive development

Sensorimotor stage

Children use their senses and motor abilities to learn about the world around them. (Birth-2 yrs) 1st stage of Piaget's theory

preoperational stage

Children are capable of moving around their environment no longer having to rely on their senses and motor abilities (2 yrs-7yrs) 2nd stage of Piaget's theory

concrete operational stage

The capability of conservation and reversible thinking (7yrs-12yrs) 3rd stage of Piaget's theory

formal operational stage

Children become capable of abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking (12yrs-adult) 4th stage of Piaget's theory

germinal stage

First 2 weeks after fertilization. Zygote implants in the lining of the uterus

embryonic stage

Period 2-8 weeks after fertilization. Major organs and structures develop

fetal stage

the stage that begins at about 8 weeks after conception and continues until Birth

Reflex

Innate, involuntary behavior pattern

Longitudinal design

One group of subjects studied repeatedly over a period of time.

Cross sectional design

Subjects from different age groups are studied at the same point in time

Cross sequential design

Subjects from different age groups studied repeatedly over time

Scaffolding

A process in which a more skilled learner gives help to a less skilled child. Over time help decreases as the less skilled child becomes more capable

Schema

A mental concept formed through experience with objects and events

Touch, taste, smell

Well developed at birth

Hearing

Functional but not fully developed at birth. Takes up to 3 months for protective coating to leave ears

Vision

Least developed. Rods are functional, cones take 6 months to develop. When born, babies can only see 7-10 inches. In 8 months it will be normal

strange situation

laboratory technique used to study infant attachment

Temperament

behavioral and emotional characteristics that are fairly well established at birth

Teratogens

Any factor that can cause a birth defect

Monozygotic twins

Single egg is fertilized, and zygote splits. (Identical twins)

dizygotic twins

Two separate eggs are fertilized at once, and 2 zygotes form. (Fraternal twins)

zone of proximal development

the difference between what children can do with assistance and what they can do alone

action potential

The release of the neutral impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

afferent neurons

Access the spinal cord. Sensor something is wrong, and send that info to the spinal cord

Agonist

Chemical substance that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter

Amygdala

responsible for fear response

Antagonist

Chemical substance that blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter

autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary muscle functions, like heart and other organs

Broca's area

Left frontal lobe, responsible for smooth and fluent speech production

Central Nervous System

Contains brain and spinal cord

Cerebellum

controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement

cingulate cortex

Primary cortical component of the limbic system, involved in emotional and cognitive processing

corpus callosum

Band of neurons that connects the right and left side of the brain

Cortex

Outer covering of the brain. Responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory imput

efferent neurons

Exit the spinal cord. Tell the muscles what to do

Glial cells

90% of brain.

1. Support neurons

2. Deliver nutrients to neurons

3. Produce myelin

4. Clean up waste and dead neurons

5. Influence generation of new neurons

Hippocampus

Memory (of location) and also learning

Interneurons

Connect afferent neurons to efferent neurons

limbic system

Group of several structures located under the cortex. Involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation

frontal lobe

Front of the brain. Contains motor cortex. Higher mental functions

occipital lobe

Back of the brain. Visuals

parietal lobe

Top of brain. Somatosensory cortex. Processes info from skin

temporal lobe

Behind temples, near ears. Processes hearing information

Medulla

Base of brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Lesioning

Using electrical currents to destroy parts of brain

Brain stimulation

Invasive: deep brain stimulation-inserting something into brain

Noninvasive: provide stimulation from the scalp

Mapping structure

CT scan

MRI

mapping function

EEG

PET

fMRI