Psychology

Chapters 1 - 4

Who was Aristotle and what did he write?

Philosopher who wrote about sleep, dreams, the senses, and memory

Who is Rene Descartes?

French philosopher who proposed that the mind and body were two separate entities that interact to produce conscious experience

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Founder of psychology as an experimental science and established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany.

Who is Edward Titchener?

English psychologist who expanded on Wundt's ideas and developed the theory of structuralism emphasizing introspection

Who was William James?

Instrument for establishing psychology in the US and believed in adaptive and practical functions of human behavior

Who founded psychoanalysis and what is it?

Sigmund Freud believed that unconscious factors determined behavior and personality

What is functionalism?

Emphasizes the study of purpose or function of behavior and mental processes

who is Francis C. Sumner?

First black to receive a Ph. D in psychology

What is correlation coefficient?

The numerical indication of magnitude and direction of relationships between two variables

What is positive correlation?

Both variables either increasing or decreasing together ( Higher rate of studying = Higher GPA or Lower rate of studying = Lower GPA )

What is negative correlation?

Two variables going in opposite directions ( Higher texting rate = Lower GPA )

Why does correlation NOT equal causation

Just because something is happening doesn’t mean its the cause of an effect ( consider outside factors as the cause )

What method can be used for cause and effect relationships

Experimental methods

What is an independent variable?

A variable that is purposefully manipulated to produce a change in an experiment

What is a dependent variable

The factor that is observed and measured for change in an experiment

What is the scientific method?

Set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures that guide all scientists, even psychologists, in conducting research

What is step one in the scientific methos?

Form a testable hypothesis

What is step two in the scientific method?

Design the study and collect data

What is step three in the scientific method?

Analyze data and draw conclusions

What is step four in the scientific method?

Report the findings

What are the parts if the CNS?

Brain and spinal cord

What are the parts of the PNS?

Somatic, Autonomic, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems

What is the function of the PNS?

Carry messages to the CNS

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Voluntary muscles and transmitting sensory information to the CNS

What is the function of the Autonomic nervous system?

Involuntary bodily functions

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Arouses the body to expend energy ( fight or flight )

What is the function of the Parasympathetic nervous system?

Calms body to preserve energy ( rest and digest )

What are the goals of psychology?

Describe, predict, control, and change or influence behavior and mental processes

What is a hypothesis

A tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables; a testable prediction or question

What is behaviourism

emphasized the study of observable behaviors; the learning process; scientific investigations on overt behavior

What is a theory?

Something that has been constantly tested and reviewed

Descriptive research methods

Observing, describing, and identifying factors that seem to be associated with a phenomenon; answers who, what, when, and where questions

Experimental research methods

Research strategies used to show that one variable causes change on a second variable

Confounding variable

Extraneous variables that are not the focus of the experiment, but could affect the outcome of an experiment

Ethics in psychology

Psychological research conducted in the US is subject to ethical guidelines developed by the American Psychological Association

Biological psychology

Scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes

Neuroscience

Scientific study of the nervous system, especially the brain

What is a neuron

highly specialized cell that communicated information in electrical and chemical form

Cell body

Part of a neuron that contains structures that process nutrients, providing the energy the neuron needs to function

Dendrites

Part of the neuron that receives messages from other neurons

Axon

Part of the neuron that carries information from the neuron to other cells int he body, including other neurons, glands, and muscles

Glial cells function

Provide neurons with energy, physically supports the axons, prevent chemicals from entering the brain, and provide the system with support when fighting infections

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter in charge of learning, memory, and muscle contractions

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter in charge of movement, thought process, and the reward system

Seretonin

Neurotransmitter in charge of physical arousal, learning, memory, and regulation of sleep

Glutamine

Neurotransmitter in charge of excitatory messages

GABA

Neurotransmitter in charge of inhibitory messages

Endorphins

Neurotransmitter in charge of pain perception and positive emotions

The Endocrine system

Made up of glands located throughout the body and uses chemical messages ( hormones ) to transmit information

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs to regulate vital biological functions

Sensory ( afferent ) neuron

Conveys information to the brain from receptor cells in sense and internal organs

Motor ( efferent ) neuron

Signals muscles and lands to relax or contract

Interneuron

Communicates information between other neurons

Neuroplasticity

The brains capacity to change in function and structure

Brainstem

Base region of the brain including the hindbrain and midbrain

Hindbrain ( Cerebral Cortex )

Region at the base of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord

Pons

Helps coordinate movements on left and right sides of the body

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement, balance, and posture

Reticular formation

Helps regulate attention and alertness

Medulla

Controls breathing, heartbeat, and other vital life functions

Forebrain ( Cerebellum )

Uppermost and largest brain region ( limbic system and cerebral cortex )

Corpus callosum

Thick bands of axons collecting the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex

Cerebral Cortex

Divided into two hemispheres and responsible for sophisticated mental functions

Midbrain ( Cerebral cortex )

Contains structures involved in processing visual and auditory sensory information

Hypothalamus ( Limbic )

Links brain and endocrine system; regulate hunger, thirst, sleep, and sexual behavior

Thalamus ( Limbic )

Process and integrates sensory information; relays sensory information to cerebral cortex

Amygdala ( Limbic )

Involved in memory and emotion. especially fear and anger

Hippocampus ( Limbic )

Involved in forming new memories

Occipital lobe

Back of the brain: vision

Parietal lobe

Top middle of the brain: senses

Temporal lobe

Bottom of the brain: Auditory

Frontal lobe

Movement, thinking, planning and emotional control

Wernicke's vs Brocka's area

Broca ; Producing language

Wernicke; Comprehending language

Sensation

Sensory organs in the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin and other tissues receive and detect stimuli

Perception

The organization and interpretation of sensory stimuli by the brain

Absolute thresholds

The weakest stimuli that can be detected 50% of the time.

Sensation

Sensory organs in the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin and other tissues receive and detect stimuli

Perception

The organization and interpretation of sensory stimuli by the brain

Bottom up processing

Taking basic information about incoming sensory stimuli n=and processing it further for interpretation

Top down processing

Drawing on past experiences and knowledge to understand and interpret sensory information

Gustation

Taste

Proprioceptors

Provide information about body position and movement

Vestibular sense

Response to changes in gravity, motion, an d body position

Cardiac rhythm

Cycle or rhythm that is roughly 24 hours long

How does bright light influence cardiac rhythm?

Helps regulate the sleep - wake cycle

REM sleep

( Rapid eye movement sleep ) dreaming occurs, voluntary muscle activity is suppressed

NREM sleep

( Non - rapid eye movement sleep )

Transduction

Transforming stimuli into neural signals ( sensation to perception )

Insomnia

Involves regular inability to fall asleep, to stay asleep, or to feel adequately rested by sleep

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep

Narcolepsy

Excessive daytime sleepiness and brief lapses into sleep throughout the day

Parasomnias

Unwanted arousal or actions during sleep or sleep transitions

Depressants

Drugs that depress or inhibit brain activity ( Alcohol, tranquilizers, inhalants, and barbiturates )

Opiates

Drugs that are chemically similar to morphine that relieve pain and produce euphoria

Stimulants

Drugs that stimulate or excite brain activity ( Caffeine and nicotine )

Psychedelics

Drugs that distort sensory perceptions