Psychological Research and Biopsychology (Chapters 3 part 1)

Flashcards covering key concepts from Correlational Research (Chapter 2) and Biopsychology (Chapter 3), including research ethics, neuron structure, neurotransmitters, and nervous system divisions.

What is correlational research?

A study that examines the relationship (correlation) between two behaviors/characteristics.

What does a positive correlation indicate?

The variables move in the same direction.

What does a negative correlation indicate?

The variables move in opposite directions.

What does the phrase 'Correlation does not imply causation' mean?

A cause-and-effect relationship cannot be determined from correlation alone; experimental design is needed.

What is a confounding variable?

An outside factor that affects both variables, often giving a false impression of causation.

What is experimenter bias?

Researcher expectations skew the results of the study.

What is participant bias?

Participant expectations skew the results of the study.

What is a single-blind study?

An experiment where the researcher knows group assignments but participants do not.

What is a double-blind procedure?

Neither participants nor researchers know who is in which group.

What is the placebo effect?

Thinking you are getting treatment improves the outcome.

What is informed consent?

A written description of what to expect, voluntary participation, confidentiality, potential risks, and signing before participating (with guardian signature for minors).

Why might a guardian signature be required for minors?

Because minors cannot provide fully informed consent on their own.

What was unethical about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

Participants were not informed they had syphilis, and treatment (penicillin) was withheld even after it became available.

What are the three goals of Chapter 3 in Biopsychology?

Explain neurons and information processing; discuss organization/nature/functions of the nervous system; identify brain and spinal cord structures and their functions.

Why do psychologists care about the brain?

Mental functioning shapes mood, thoughts, behaviors, and health, and many disorders have neurological components; psychology treats the whole person.

What is gene-environment interaction?

The interplay where environment and genes influence each other to shape who we are.

What is genetic-environmental correlation?

Genes affect our environment and the environment influences the expression of our genes.

What is epigenetics?

The study of how gene-environment interactions can lead to different phenotypes from the same genotype.

What is genotype?

An individual's genetic makeup (DNA).

What is phenotype?

An individual's observable characteristics (e.g., hair color, height, build).

What are glial cells?

Cells that surround neurons, providing support and insulation, and aiding myelination.

What are neurons?

Specialized nerve cells that receive and transmit chemical and electrical signals; include sensory, motor, and interneurons.

What is soma (cell body)?

The cell body that contains the nucleus.

What are dendrites?

Busy fibers that receive information from other neurons.

What is the axon?

The long projection that sends messages through the cell.

What is the myelin sheath?

A fatty layer that insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses.

What are axon terminals?

Endings of the axon containing synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters.

What are nodes of Ranvier?

Gaps along the axon that speed up signal transmission.

What is a synapse?

The meeting point between two neurons; the synaptic gap is very small.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers released into the synapse that bind to receptors on the next neuron.

What is reuptake?

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic neuron.

What is the correct order of structures a signal passes through a neuron?

Dendrites → cell body (soma) → axon → axon terminals → synapse.

What is dopamine and its function?

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, attention, and emotion; oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to tremors and Parkinson's disease.

What is serotonin's function and its malfunctions?

Regulates mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal; undersupply linked to depression.

What is norepinephrine's function?

Helps control alertness and arousal; undersupply can depress mood.

What is GABA?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid; a major inhibitory neurotransmitter; undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia; oversupply can overdampen brain activity.

What is glutamate?

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory; oversupply can cause migraines or seizures.

What is a psychotropic medication?

Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance.

What is an agonist?

A drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter.

What is an antagonist?

A drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter.

How are dopamine agonists and antagonists used in treatment?

Dopamine agonists are used for Parkinson's disease; many antipsychotic drugs are dopamine antagonists for schizophrenia.

What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral Nervous System (nerves, sensory receptors, muscles, glands).

What are the subdivisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?

Somatic (voluntary) and Autonomic (involuntary) nervous systems.

What does the Autonomic nervous system regulate?

Glands and internal organs; includes the Sympathetic (arousing) and Parasympathetic (calming) divisions.

What does the Sympathetic nervous system do?

Arouses the body for action (fight or flight).

What does the Parasympathetic nervous system do?

Calms the body after arousal; rest and digest.

What are the Brain and Spinal Cord features?

Brain is bilateral and comprises interconnected lobes; spinal cord transmits messages and has reflexes.

What is a reflex?

An automatic, quick motor response that can occur without brain input.

What structures comprise the Central Nervous System?

Brain and spinal cord.