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What is Psychology?
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
What are the goals of psychology?
describe, predict, explain, control, change, or influence behavior and mental processes
Wilhelm Wundt
father of psychology
Edward B. Titchener
founder of structuralism
William James
Functionalism
Sigmund Freud
founder of psychoanalysis
People of Behaviorism
Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, B.F Skinner
Ivan Pavlov
Classical conditioning: dogs
John Watson
Little Albert, classical conditioning
B.F. Skinner
operant conditioning, rats and pigeons
People of Humanistic Perspective
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
Biological Perspective
Physical bases of behavior
Behavioral Perspective
How behavior is modified through experience/environment
psychodynamic perspective
Influenced by Fruedian Theories: emphasis on unconscious processes, early experiences
Humanistic Perspective
Focus on personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and self-concept
cognitive perspective
Role of mental processes in how people process and remember information
Cross-Cultural Perspective
Emphasizes diversity of behavior across cultures (Individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures)
Evolutionary Perspective
Psychological processes that help individuals survive, reproduce, and pass on abilities to future generations
Scientific Method
A series of steps followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusions.
order of scientific method
Hypothesis, design study (and collect data), analyze data, report findings.
descriptive research methods
Naturalistic observation, Case studies, Surveys, Correlational Methods
Does correlation equal causation?
-NO! Only experiments allow for cause-and-effect)
Descriptive Research design
Longitudinal, Cross-sectional
Experimental Research
Demonstrates cause and effect
independent variable
variable that is manipulated
dependent variable
the outcome factor
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell that communicates information in chemical and electrical forms
What are the 3 types of Neurons?
sensory, motor, interneurons
Parts of a neuron
dendrites, cell body, axon
What is action potential?
Communication inside a neuron Simulates the release of neurotransmitters by synaptic vesicles
What number is the resting potential?
-70 mv
refractory period
period that the neuron enters after an action potential
all or none law
either the neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or the neuron in not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential doesn't occur
Endocrine System
Made up of glands that are located throughout the body and uses hormones to send information. Communication is slower than the nervous system
Hormones
Regulate blood pressure, metabolism and reproduction (Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, gonads)
limbic system
Involved in emotion, learning, motivation, and memory (Hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, and Amygdala)
The dynamic Brain
Neuroplasticity, Neurogenesis
Neuroplasticity
ability to change function and structure
Neurogenesis
Ability to generate new neurons; Olfactory bulb and hippocampus
Major Brain Regions
Hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain
What does the cerebral cortex do?
Divides brain into right and left hemisphere
What are the hemispheres connected by?
corpus callosum
Each hemisphere contains what?
Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe
What test maps the brain's STRUCTURE?
MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging)
Language is in what hemisphere?
left hemisphere
What test map brain activity/function?
PET scans, fMRI, DTI
Encoding
changing new information into a form that can be retrieved later
Elaborate rehearsal
Focusing on the meaning of information
Self-reference effect
applying information to yourself
visual imagery
using vivid images to enhance encoding
Neurocognitive theory
Dreams are thought to reflect our interest, personality and individual worries.
Consciousness
Awareness of internal states, which include thoughts, sensations and memories
What ions are important to Action Potential?
Sodium and Potassium
What are the three important type of Neurons?
Sensory, Motor, Interneuron
What is action Potential?
Movement of electrical impulse across membrane of a nerve cell
What is antagonist
Blocking or reducing time of reuptake
What is agonist
Mimicking specific neurotransmitters
What are the two type of systems that make up the nervous system?
Central and peripheral nervous system
Sympathetic
Energy expanded
parasympathetic
Energy conserved
Endocrine System
Made up of glands that are located throughout the body and uses hormones to send information
What is the pituitary gland known as?
The Master Gland
What is Neuroplasticity?
The ability to change function and structure
What is Functional Plasticity?
Ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas
What is Structural Plasticity?
The brain's ability to change and adapt in response of learning or environmental influences
What is Neurogenesis?
The development of new memories
Medulla
Controls vital life functions like breathing
The midbrain has what type of info?
Auditory and visual
What is the left hemisphere specialized for?
Language, speech, reading, and writing
What is the right hemisphere specialized for?
Visual-spatial task and non-verbal emotional expression
Hypothalamus
Regulates behavior related to survival (hunger and thirst)
Amygdala
Involved in memory and emotional responses, especially fear. (In temporal lobe)
Hippocampus
Learning and forming new memories
Thalamus
Processes sensory information for all senses EXCEPT smell
Encoding
Transforming info into a form that can enter and be stored by the memory system
Storage
Keeping info in memory so it can be used later
Retrieval
Recovering stored data so it can be used
Sensory Memory
Takes a large amount of info from environment for a brief period of time (snapshots)
Short term Memory
Temporarily holds all info that you're currently thinking about
Long term memory
Long term storage of information, potentially for a lifetime
How long is short term memory
20 seconds
How long is Long term memory
longer than 20 seconds
Procedural Memory
How to preform different skills
Episodic memory
Memory of specific events or episodes (world around you)
autobiographical memory
memory of life events
Semantic Memory
General knowledge
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