PSY 101 - EXAM 1

What is psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes, including thoughts, emotions, and actions.

What is behavior in psychology?

Any observable action performed by a living organism, including speech, movement, and social interactions.

What are mental processes?

Internal experiences such as thinking, feeling, and perceiving that cannot be directly observed.

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Known as the 'father of psychology,' he established the first psychology lab and developed structuralism.

What is structuralism?

A psychological approach that aimed to break down mental experiences into their basic components using introspection.

Who was William James?

An American psychologist who founded functionalism, emphasizing how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment.

What is functionalism?

A psychological perspective that examines the purpose of mental and behavioral processes and how they aid survival and adaptation.

What are marginalized psychologists?

Pioneers in psychology from underrepresented backgrounds who made significant contributions despite societal barriers.

What are the major perspectives in psychology?

Theoretical approaches including behavioral, cognitive, biological, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural.

What is psychological science?

The application of scientific methods to study thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to ensure reliability and accuracy.

What is a theory in psychology?

A well-supported explanation of psychological phenomena that organizes observations and predicts future behaviors.

What is a hypothesis?

A specific, testable prediction derived from a theory, which can be confirmed or refuted through research.

What is the research process?

The systematic approach to scientific inquiry, including forming a question, developing a hypothesis, testing it, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

What are empirical questions?

Questions that can be answered through measurable observation and experimentation.

What does objectivity in research mean?

The principle that psychological studies should be free from personal bias and based solely on observable and measurable data.

What is a conceptual variable?

The general idea or abstract concept a researcher aims to study (e.g., intelligence, happiness, aggression).

What is an operational definition?

A specific way a conceptual variable is measured or manipulated in research.

What is descriptive research?

Research methods that describe behaviors without determining cause-and-effect.

What is a case study?

An in-depth analysis of a single person or small group, often used for rare conditions or unique circumstances.

What is naturalistic observation?

Studying behavior in its natural environment without interference from the researcher.

What is a survey in psychological research?

A research method that collects self-reported data from participants through questionnaires or interviews.

What is correlational research?

A method that examines the relationship between two variables to determine if they are associated.

What is a correlation coefficient?

A numerical value (-1 to +1) that represents the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

What does correlation ≠ causation mean?

The principle that just because two variables are related does not mean one causes the other.

What is experimental research?

A method where researchers manipulate an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

What is an independent variable (IV)?

The factor that is deliberately changed or manipulated by the researcher.

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

The outcome or response measured to see if it is affected by the independent variable.

What is a control variable (CV)?

Variables that are kept constant to ensure they do not influence the results.

What is random assignment?

The process of placing participants into experimental or control groups randomly to reduce bias.

What is the replication crisis in psychology?

The issue where many studies fail to produce the same results when repeated, questioning the reliability of findings.

What is statistical significance?

A measure of whether research results are likely due to chance, often represented by a p-value (typically p < 0.05).

What is a null hypothesis?

The assumption that there is no effect or difference between variables until proven otherwise.

What is an alternative hypothesis?

The assumption that there is a real effect or difference between variables.

What is the file drawer problem?

The tendency for studies with significant results to be published while studies with non-significant results remain unpublished.

What are research ethics?

Guidelines ensuring research is conducted safely and ethically, protecting participants from harm.

What is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

A committee that evaluates research studies to ensure ethical standards are met.

What is informed consent?

Participants must be fully informed about a study before agreeing to take part.

What is deception in research?

Sometimes used to prevent bias, but must be justified and followed by a debriefing.

What does protection from harm entail?

Ensuring participants are not physically or psychologically harmed during a study.

What is confidentiality in research?

Ensuring personal data and responses of participants remain private.

What is debriefing in research?

Informing participants of a study’s true purpose after its completion.

What is neuroscience?

The study of the nervous system, including the brain, neurons, and neurotransmitters.

What is the nervous system?

The network of nerve cells that transmits signals between the body and brain.

What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of?

The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, responsible for sensory and motor functions.

What is the somatic nervous system?

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary muscle movements.

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

The part of the PNS that controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Activates the body's fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and energy.

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Calms the body after stress, conserving energy.

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The brain and spinal cord, which process information and coordinate responses.

What are neurons?

Nerve cells that send and receive signals in the body.

What are sensory (afferent) neurons?

Neurons that carry information from sensory receptors to the brain.

What are motor (efferent) neurons?

Neurons that send signals from the brain to muscles and glands.

What are glial cells?

Cells that support and protect neurons, assisting in communication.

What are dendrites?

Branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.

What is an axon?

A long fiber that transmits signals away from the neuron’s body.

What is the myelin sheath?

A fatty coating that insulates axons, speeding up signal transmission.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.

What is the brainstem?

The oldest part of the brain, controlling vital functions like breathing and heartbeat.

What does the medulla regulate?

Breathing, heart rate, and reflexes.

What is the thalamus?

The brain's relay center for sensory information.

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

Movement, balance, and fine motor skills.

What is the limbic system?

A group of brain structures involved in emotion and memory.

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

Forming new memories.

What role does the amygdala play?

Processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormones.

What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

Higher-order thinking.

What does the occipital lobe process?

Visual information.

What does the temporal lobe process?

Auditory information and language.

What is Wernicke’s area involved in?

Understanding language.

What does Broca’s area control?

Speech production.

What does the parietal lobe process?

Sensory information such as touch and spatial awareness.

What does the somatosensory cortex do?

Processes touch and bodily sensations.

What does the motor cortex control?

Voluntary movements.

What is the endocrine system?

The body’s hormone-regulating system.

What is brain plasticity?

The brain’s ability to change and adapt with experience.

What is the biopsychosocial model?

The interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in shaping behavior and mental health.