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"What is the main focus of PSYC 001

The main focus of PSYC 001 is to provide students with a foundational, research-based understanding of the human mind, brain, and behavior. It emphasizes the scientific method, critical thinking, and psychological literacy."

"What are some key components introduced in the Welcome slide

The Welcome slide introduces the course structure, goals, major topics like cognition, emotion, mental illness, and the emphasis on a scientific and empirical approach to studying psychology."

"What is psychology defined as in the course

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It involves understanding how we think, feel, and act through research-based evidence."

"What distinguishes psychology from pseudoscience

Psychology is grounded in the scientific method, uses empirical evidence, requires replicable results, and promotes falsifiability. Pseudoscience lacks these standards and often relies on anecdotal evidence."

"What are examples of topics studied in psychology

Topics include cognitive processes like memory and decision-making, emotional regulation, neurological functions, developmental stages, mental health, and social behavior."

"What is the biopsychosocial model

A framework that considers biological (genetics, brain structure), psychological (thoughts, emotions), and social (culture, relationships) factors as interconnected influences on behavior."

"What is the scientific method

A systematic method involving observation, theory formulation, hypothesis testing, data collection, analysis, and conclusion. It is the core of empirical psychology."

"What are research methods in psychology

They include case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys, experiments, and archival analysis—each offering different strengths in studying behavior."

"What is a case study

An intensive, in-depth investigation of a single person or group, often used to study rare phenomena."

What is naturalistic observation

The practice of observing and recording behavior in real-world settings without interference or manipulation.

What is a survey

A research method that collects self-reported data from participants. It is efficient for large groups but vulnerable to bias.

What is archival research

Analyzing existing records or data sets collected for other purposes to explore research questions.

a longitudinal study

A study that observes the same participants repeatedly over a long period to assess developmental changes or stability.

"What are behavioral and cognitive methods

Behavioral methods focus on observable responses; cognitive methods explore mental processes such as attention, perception, and memory."

"What is triangulation in research

Using multiple methods, sources, or data types to validate research findings and increase confidence in results."

"What are descriptive statistics

Techniques like mean, median, mode, and standard deviation that summarize and organize data."

"What are inferential statistics

Statistical techniques that allow researchers to make generalizations about populations from sample data (e.g., t-tests, p-values)."

What is a p-value

The probability that observed results occurred by chance. A lower p-value (typically < .05) indicates statistical significance.

"What is the placebo effect

Improvement resulting from the mere expectation of improvement, rather than the actual treatment."

"What is the difference between correlation and causation

Correlation shows that two variables are related, while causation means one variable directly causes changes in another."

"What are confounding variables

Variables other than the independent variable that could affect the dependent variable, thus skewing results."

"What ethical principles guide research with humans

The Belmont Report outlines respect for persons (informed consent), beneficence (minimize harm), and justice (equity in subject selection)."

"What is the IRB

Institutional Review Board: a committee that reviews, approves, and monitors research involving humans to ensure ethical compliance."

What is the ACUC

Animal Care and Use Committee: ensures ethical treatment and welfare of animals used in research.

What is a neuron

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that processes and transmits information via electrical and chemical signals.

parts of a neuron

Dendrites receive signals; the soma processes them; the axon transmits signals to other neurons or muscles.

the function of myelin

A fatty coating that insulates axons and speeds up the transmission of neural impulses.

What is a neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers released from neurons that transmit signals across a synapse to other cells.

"What does dopamine do

Dopamine is linked to reward, motivation, movement, and various disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson’s."

"What does serotonin regulate

Mood, sleep, appetite, and arousal. Low levels are associated with depression."

"What is GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid: the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neural excitability."

What is an SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor: a type of antidepressant that increases serotonin availability by blocking its reabsorption.

"What is an action potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon, enabling neuron communication."

"What is neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, especially in response to learning or injury."

"What are the four main lobes of the brain and their functions

The four main lobes of the cerebral cortex are:

the function of the thalamus

The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information. It receives input from the senses (except smell) and directs this information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

"What is the hypothalamus responsible for

The hypothalamus regulates homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst, temperature control, and circadian rhythms. It also governs the endocrine system via its control over the pituitary gland."

"What role does the amygdala play

The amygdala is involved in emotional processing, especially fear, aggression, and detecting threats. It helps form emotional memories and influences the fight-or-flight response."

"What does the hippocampus do

The hippocampus is essential for the formation, organization, and retrieval of new explicit memories, especially episodic and spatial memories."

"What imaging techniques are used to study the brain

Techniques include:

"What is TMS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It is used for research and treatment (e.g., depression)."

the BRAIN initiative

The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is a U.S. research project aimed at developing tools to better understand brain function and treat neurological disorders.

"What is consciousness

Consciousness refers to our awareness of ourselves and our environment. It includes wakefulness, alertness, self-awareness, and the ability to experience thoughts, feelings, and perceptions."

"What are psychoactive drugs

Drugs that influence consciousness by altering brain chemistry. They can change perception, mood, cognition, and behavior."

"What are agonist drugs

Agonists bind to receptors and mimic the action of neurotransmitters, thereby activating those receptors (e.g., THC, nicotine)."

"What are antagonist drugs

Antagonists bind to neurotransmitter receptors but block their activation, preventing the usual effect of the neurotransmitter (e.g., naloxone)."

"What is addiction

A chronic disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences. It involves changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control."

What is tolerance

A physiological state where increasing amounts of a drug are required to achieve the same effect due to the body’s adaptation.

What is withdrawal

Unpleasant physical or psychological symptoms that occur when a person reduces or stops taking a drug they are dependent on.

"What is the most socially harmful drug mentioned in the slides

Alcohol, due to its wide accessibility and the significant social harm it causes, including violence, accidents, and health issues."

"What are some treatments for addiction

Treatments include medication-assisted therapy (e.g., antagonists like naltrexone), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, and sometimes residential rehabilitation programs."

"What is neuroplasticity

The brain’s capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It enables learning, memory formation, and recovery from brain injury."

"What is Hebb's rule

""Neurons that fire together wire together"" — Hebb's rule explains how connections between neurons strengthen with repeated simultaneous activation, forming the basis of learning."

What is classical conditioning

A form of associative learning where a neutral stimulus becomes capable of eliciting a response after being paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response.

"Who are key figures in classical conditioning

A variable ratio schedule is a reinforcement pattern in operant conditioning where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of actions. This schedule leads to high rates of behavior because the individual doesn't know when the next reward will come. It is highly resistant to extinction, as the unpredictability keeps motivation high. Examples include slot machines in gambling and checking social media for new likes or messages—both provide rewards inconsistently, which makes the behavior persistent."

"What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning (e.g., food causing salivation)."

"What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response."

What is operant conditioning

A learning process where the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of it being repeated. Positive outcomes increase behavior; negative outcomes decrease it.

"Who is associated with operant conditioning

B.F. Skinner, who studied how reinforcement and punishment shape behavior using devices like the Skinner box."

What is reinforcement

Any stimulus or event that strengthens or increases the probability of a behavior recurring.

What is punishment

Any stimulus or event that weakens or reduces the likelihood of a behavior occurring.

"What is a variable ratio schedule

A reinforcement schedule where behavior is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. It produces high, steady response rates and is very resistant to extinction."

"What are examples of variable ratio schedules

Examples include gambling, video games, and social media notifications, which are unpredictable and highly reinforcing."

"What are the four key steps of social learning

1. Attention: Observing the model

"Who developed social learning theory

Albert Bandura, who demonstrated observational learning through the Bobo doll experiment."

long-term potentiation (LTP)

A process where synaptic connections become stronger with frequent activation. It is a key mechanism underlying learning and memory.

"What are the three memory processes

1. Encoding: Converting information into a form for storage.

the types of memory

Explicit memory (conscious) includes semantic and episodic memory. Implicit memory (unconscious) includes procedural memory.

"What is semantic memory

Memory for facts, general knowledge, and concepts that are not tied to specific experiences."

"What is episodic memory

Memory of personal experiences, including specific events, times, and places."

"What is procedural memory

Memory for motor skills and actions, like riding a bicycle or typing."

"How does Alzheimer’s disease affect memory

It begins by impairing explicit memory (especially episodic), eventually progressing to affect implicit memory and basic functions."

"How is memory involved in PTSD

PTSD involves intrusive, emotionally intense memories that are often triggered involuntarily and cause distress."

"What is Savant syndrome

A rare condition where individuals with developmental disabilities exhibit extraordinary abilities in specific areas, such as memory, music, or calculation."

"What is cognition and what does it encompass

Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension. These include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving. Cognition allows individuals to interpret information, make decisions, and solve problems."

"What is the dual-system theory of cognition

The theory proposes two systems for processing information: System 1, which is fast, automatic, and emotional; and System 2, which is slower, more deliberate, and logical. System 1 handles day-to-day decisions quickly, while System 2 is activated during complex reasoning."

"What is the anchoring bias

Anchoring bias is the cognitive error of relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the 'anchor') when making decisions. Subsequent judgments are made by adjusting away from that anchor, often insufficiently."

"What is confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. It leads to biased evidence gathering and flawed decision-making."

the availability heuristic

A mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a topic or decision. It often causes people to overestimate the importance or frequency of events based on how easily they remember them.

"What is hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after an event has occurred, that the outcome was predictable or inevitable. Also known as the 'I knew it all along' effect."

"What is intelligence

Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. It involves reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, and learning from experience."

"What is Spearman’s g-factor theory

Spearman proposed that intelligence is a single general ability, known as 'g'. He believed that performance on different cognitive tasks is largely influenced by this common factor."

"What is Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences

Gardner proposed that intelligence is not a single entity but consists of various types, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligences."

"What do IQ tests like the Wechsler and Stanford-Binet measure

These standardized intelligence tests assess various cognitive abilities, including verbal reasoning, memory, processing speed, and non-verbal problem-solving skills."

"What is meant by the heritability of intelligence

Heritability refers to the proportion of variation in intelligence within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences. It is estimated at 70–80% within populations, though environmental factors also play a crucial role, especially across different groups or cultures."

"What is the role of environment in shaping intelligence

Environmental factors like nutrition, education quality, socioeconomic status, and cultural influences significantly affect intellectual development and cognitive performance."

"What are emotions and how do they differ from moods

Emotions are intense, short-lived affective states that occur in response to specific stimuli. They typically have a clear cause and lead to action. Moods, on the other hand, are more diffuse, longer-lasting emotional states without a clear cause."

What brain areas are involved in emotion

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) helps regulate emotions and make social decisions. The amygdala detects threats and processes fear. Other areas include the insula and anterior cingulate cortex.

"What are functions of emotions

Emotions help in survival by guiding behavior (e.g., fear → avoidance), enhancing communication (e.g., facial expressions), and influencing decision-making and social bonding."

"What is the Triangular Theory of Love

Proposed by Sternberg, it posits that love has three components: intimacy (emotional closeness), passion (physical attraction), and commitment (decision to stay together). Different combinations lead to different types of love."

"What is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder

Depression involves persistent sadness, lack of motivation, and low energy. Bipolar disorder includes alternating episodes of depression and mania, where mania involves elevated mood, impulsivity, and hyperactivity."

"What is motivation

Motivation is the internal drive or desire that initiates, directs, and sustains goal-oriented behavior. It includes biological motives like hunger and sex, as well as social or psychological goals."

"What are physical cues of attraction mentioned in the slides

Symmetry and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are considered attractive across cultures, possibly because they signal health and fertility."

"Who were Kinsey, Masters, and Johnson

Kinsey conducted large-scale surveys on sexual behavior. Masters and Johnson observed physiological responses during sexual activity and defined the human sexual response cycle."

"What is the sexual response cycle

A four-stage model of sexual arousal: Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, and Resolution."

"What are paraphilic disorders

Mental disorders characterized by intense sexual interest in atypical objects, situations, or individuals that may cause distress or harm (e.g., pedophilia, fetishism)."

What is gender dysphoria

A psychological condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.

"What is stress

Stress is the physical, emotional, and psychological strain resulting from demands or threats that challenge a person’s coping ability. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting)."

"What is the HPA axis and its role in stress

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis controls the stress response. It involves the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that prepares the body for 'fight or flight'."

"What are stimulus-based and response-based definitions of stress

Stimulus-based definitions focus on events causing stress (e.g., exams). Response-based definitions focus on physiological and psychological responses (e.g., anxiety, cortisol)."