Intro to psychology week 1

Personality Tests

Assessments designed to evaluate individual differences in characteristics, capabilities, and preferences.

Left Brain/Right Brain Theory

A popular psychology theory suggesting that people are either logical (left-brained) or creative (right-brained), with each hemisphere governing specific traits.

Commissurotomy

A surgical procedure involving the severing of the corpus callosum to reduce seizures in patients with severe epilepsy.

Corpus Callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.

Brain Lateralization

The tendency for the left and right hemispheres of the brain to specialize in certain functions.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique used to assess brain activity by measuring changes in blood flow.

Neurobiologist Roger Sperry

A scientist known for his research on the specialization of the two hemispheres of the brain, awarded a Nobel Prize for his findings.

Spatial Reasoning

The ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space, often linked to the right hemisphere of the brain.

Language Processing

The cognitive process by which the brain understands and produces language, primarily associated with the left hemisphere.

Myth of Left-Brained vs Right-Brained People

The misconception that individuals can be strictly categorized as left-brained (logical) or right-brained (creative) based on their cognitive abilities.

Neurons

Specialized cells that transmit nerve impulses, fundamental to the nervous system.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where communication occurs through neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, coordinating body activities.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of all the nerves outside the CNS, connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Endocrine System

A collection of glands that produce hormones regulating metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions.

Hormones

Chemical substances produced by glands in the endocrine system, affecting various processes in the body.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord, controlling basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in the formation of memories and spatial navigation.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience and learning.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of the relationship between genetics and behavior, exploring how genes influence individual traits.

Neuroscience

The interdisciplinary study of the nervous system that examines the biological foundations of behavior.

Psychophysiology

A field that explores the relationship between psychological processes and physiological responses.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, which play a crucial role in processing and relaying information within the body.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Neurotransmission

The process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by neurons to communicate.

Brain Regions

Distinct areas of the brain that are specialized for specific functions, such as memory or emotion.

Genotype vs. Phenotype

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, while phenotype is the observable traits resulting from that makeup.

Endocrine System

A regulatory system that uses hormones to coordinate various bodily functions.

Fight or Flight Response

The body's physiological reaction to perceived harmful events or threats, preparing it for quick action.

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response.

Basic Emotions

Universal emotions that are recognized across cultures, typically including happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

The ability to identify, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others.

Affective Computing

A branch of computer science that focuses on the development of systems that can recognize and process human emotions.

Emotional Regulation

The methods individuals use to influence which emotions they have, when they have them, and how they experience and express them.

Positive Emotions

Emotions that enhance feelings of well-being and happiness, such as joy, gratitude, and love.

Negative Emotions

Emotions that can cause distress, such as anxiety, sadness, anger, and fear.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The theory that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences, suggesting that acting a certain way can affect how we feel.

Emotion Recognition

The process by which a system identifies human emotions through facial expressions, voice tone, or physiological signals.

Emotion and Decision Making

The influence of emotional states on the decision-making process, often resulting in bias or irrational choices.

Social Emotions

Emotions that arise in social contexts, such as jealousy, embarrassment, or pride.

James-Lange Theory

A theory suggesting that emotions result from the perception of physiological reactions to stimuli.

Cannon-Bard Theory

A theory proposing that emotional expression results from the simultaneous physiological and emotional responses to stimuli.

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

A theory stating that emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of that arousal.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

A therapeutic approach that focuses on emotional bonding and attachment in relationships.

Contextual Influences on Emotion

The idea that the context of a situation can influence emotional responses, including cultural and environmental factors.

Emotion and Memory

The relationship between emotional experiences and the encoding, storage, and recall of memories.

Empathy

The capacity to understand and share the feelings of another, which is crucial for emotional interactions.

Emotion in Digital Communication

The study of how emotions are conveyed and interpreted through digital channels, including text, voice, and video.

Emotional contagion

The phenomenon where emotions can be transferred from one person to another, often seen in group settings.

Digital Emotion Recognition

The use of algorithms to analyze digital cues, such as text and video, to identify people's emotional states.

Sentiment Analysis

A computational method of determining the emotional tone behind a series of words, often used in social media and customer feedback.

Emojis

Small digital images or icons used to express emotions and convey sentiment in online communication.

Text-Based Emotion Indicators

Words, phrases, or punctuation used in written communication to convey emotional context, such as exclamation marks or emotive adjectives.

Video Emotion Analysis

The examination of facial expressions, gestures, and voice tone in video content to interpret the emotional state of individuals.

Emotion Mismatches

When expressed emotions in digital communication do not align with verbal or contextual cues, leading to misunderstandings.

Online Emotional Engagement

The level of emotional connection users feel towards content, brands, or individuals across digital platforms.

Virtual Reality and Emotion

The use of immersive environments to evoke specific emotional responses through simulated experiences.

Digital Empathy

The ability of technology to understand and respond to human emotions, enhancing user interactions.

Impact of Social Media on Emotion

The ways in which social media platforms influence individuals' emotional well-being, both positive and negative.