Psychology Exam 1: Key Concepts and Structures

What is the nature vs. nurture debate in psychology?

The debate over whether behavior is influenced more by genetics (nature) or environment and experience (nurture).

What is dualism in the context of psychology?

The belief that the mind and body are separate entities.

What is monism in psychology?

The belief that the mind and body are the same entity.

Who developed the theory of natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

What does natural selection suggest about traits?

Traits that increase survival and reproduction become more common over generations.

What is the goal of structuralism in psychology?

To break consciousness into basic components.

Who are the key figures associated with structuralism?

Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener.

What is the primary focus of functionalism?

To understand the purpose or function of thoughts and behaviors.

What are the key ideas of Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

Much behavior is influenced by unconscious processes, childhood experiences shape adulthood, and internal conflicts affect behavior.

What does the biological perspective in psychology focus on?

The brain, nervous system, hormones, and genetics.

What is the focus of the behavioral perspective?

Observable behavior and learning.

What does the cognitive perspective study?

Thinking, memory, decision making, and problem solving.

What is the humanistic perspective focused on?

Personal growth, free will, and self-actualization.

What is the evolutionary perspective in psychology?

It focuses on natural selection and adaptation.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

1. Observation 2. Hypothesis 3. Method 4. Results 5. Interpretation.

What is an independent variable (IV)?

The variable that the researcher manipulates.

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

The variable that the researcher measures.

What does correlation measure?

The relationship between variables.

What is a positive correlation?

Both variables increase together.

What is a negative correlation?

One variable increases while the other decreases.

What is the purpose of a true experiment?

To establish cause-and-effect relationships.

What is internal validity?

The degree to which we can confidently conclude that the IV caused the DV.

What is external validity?

The extent to which results can be generalized beyond the study.

What is parsimony (Occam's Razor)?

The principle that the simplest explanation is preferred when multiple explanations fit the evidence.

What are descriptive statistics?

Statistics that describe data, such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.

What are inferential statistics?

Statistics that use sample data to make conclusions about larger populations.

What is the function of dendrites in a neuron?

To receive information.

What does the soma (cell body) of a neuron contain?

The nucleus.

What is the role of the axon in a neuron?

To carry signals away from the cell body.

What is the myelin sheath?

A layer that insulates the axon and speeds up transmission.

What is resting potential in a neuron?

Approximately -70 mV, indicating the neuron is ready to fire.

What is hyperpolarization?

A process where the inside of a neuron becomes more negative, making firing less likely.

What is the threshold for neuron firing?

Approximately -55 mV; if reached, the neuron fires.

What is an action potential?

An electrical impulse traveling down the axon, following the all-or-none principle.

What is an agonist?

A substance that increases neurotransmitter effects and acts like the neurotransmitter.

What is an antagonist?

A substance that blocks neurotransmitter effects by occupying the receptor but preventing activation.

What are the functions of acetylcholine (ACh)?

Muscle movement and memory.

What are the functions of dopamine?

Reward, motivation, and movement; associated with Parkinson's disease.

What are the functions of serotonin?

Mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.

What are the functions of norepinephrine?

Alertness and arousal.

What is glutamate?

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter.

What is GABA?

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, often featured in exam questions.

What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

The brain and spinal cord.

What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) include?

All nerves outside the CNS.

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Controls voluntary movement.

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates automatic functions, including sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) responses.

What is the pituitary gland known as?

The master gland, controlling many other glands.

What does the thyroid regulate?

Metabolism.

What do the adrenal glands produce?

Stress hormones.

What is the function of the pancreas?

Regulates blood sugar.

What do gonads produce?

Sex hormones.

What is phrenology?

An early pseudoscience claiming that bumps on the skull reveal personality traits.

What does a CT scan do?

Uses X-rays to show the structure of the brain.

What is an MRI used for?

To create detailed structural images of the brain.

What does a PET scan measure?

Brain activity and metabolism.

What does fMRI show?

Both structure and activity of the brain.

What are the main functions of the frontal lobe?

Planning, decision making, personality, and motor control.

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Touch and spatial processing.

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Hearing, memory, and language.

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Vision.

What is the role of the cerebellum?

Balance and coordination.

What is the function of the thalamus?

Sensory relay station.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Motivation, hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Memory formation.

What is the role of the amygdala?

Emotion, especially fear.

What does the brainstem control?

Basic life functions.

What connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

The corpus callosum.

What do split-brain patients demonstrate?

The two hemispheres can function somewhat independently.

What are stimulants?

Substances that increase nervous system activity, e.g., caffeine and nicotine.

What are depressants?

Substances that decrease nervous system activity, e.g., alcohol.

What are hallucinogens?

Substances that alter perception, e.g., LSD.

What determines perceived color in light?

Wavelength; long wavelengths appear red, and short wavelengths appear blue/violet.

What is the order of eye structures that light travels through?

Cornea → Pupil → Lens → Retina.

What is the difference between rods and cones?

Rods are for night vision and black & white, while cones are for day vision and color.

What is contrast theory?

The perception of objects relative to surrounding stimuli, where changes in brightness or color can alter perception.

What is trichromatic theory?

The theory that three cone types (red, green, blue) combine to create all perceived colors.

What is opponent-process theory?

The theory that color perception is based on opposing pairs (red-green, blue-yellow, black-white), explaining afterimages.

What is place theory in pitch perception?

Different frequencies stimulate different locations on the cochlea, best explaining high frequencies.

What is frequency theory in pitch perception?

Neurons fire at the same rate as the sound frequency, best explaining low frequencies.

What are pheromones?

Chemical signals released by one individual that affect the behavior or physiology of others of the same species.