Psychology Exam #1 Quizlet

Who is considered the father of psychology?

William Wundt

What did William Wundt do that established psychology as a science?

He founded the first psychology laboratory and used experimental methods to study mental processes.

How is psychology defined today?

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

What were the roots of psychology?

Psychology has roots in philosophy and physiology.

Who shifted the focus of psychology from structures to functions?

William James, who emphasized adaptation and the function of consciousness.

What does nature/nurture refer to?

Nature refers to genetic inheritance, while nurture refers to environmental influences on behavior.

What is it called when we learn something about psychology by studying one individual?

Case study.

What is negative correlation? What is positive correlation?

Negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases; positive correlation indicates that both variables increase or decrease together.

What are the parts of a neuron?

The main parts of a neuron include the cell body, dendrites, axon, and axon terminals.

How does energy travel through a neuron?

Energy travels from the dendrites to the cell body, then down the axon to the axon terminals.

What is a synapse?

A synapse is the junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

What is a neurotransmitter?

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that transmits signals across a synapse.

What is the action potential?

The action potential is a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron.

What is the Central Nervous System composed of?

The Central Nervous System is composed of the brain and spinal cord.

How do hormones secreted by glands travel?

Hormones travel through the bloodstream.

What does the medulla control?

The medulla controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.

What does the amygdala control?

The amygdala is involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and aggression.

What does the hippocampus control?

The hippocampus is essential for memory formation.

Which lobe of the brain controls vision?

The occipital lobe controls vision.

Which lobe of the brain controls hearing?

The temporal lobe controls hearing.

Which lobe of the brain controls touch?

The parietal lobe controls touch.

Which part of the body does the sensory cortex most represent?

The sensory cortex most represents the hands and face.

What did we learn about the frontal cortex from Phineas Gage?

We learned that the frontal cortex is involved in personality and decision-making.

What does the left hemisphere specialize in?

The left hemisphere specializes in language and analytical tasks.

Why would a surgeon divide a brain by cutting the corpus callosum?

To reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy by preventing communication between the two hemispheres.

What are the biochemical units of heredity within a chromosome called?

Genes.

How do we define consciousness?

Consciousness is defined as our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

What is dual processing?

Dual processing refers to the simultaneous processing of information on both conscious and unconscious levels.

What is selective attention?

Selective attention is the process of focusing on a particular object in the environment for a certain period.

What is it called when we fail to see something because we are paying attention to something else?

Inattentional blindness.

What is a circadian rhythm?

A circadian rhythm is a biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle over a 24-hour period.

What is REM sleep?

REM sleep is a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement and increased brain activity.

How often does the sleep cycle repeat, generally?

The sleep cycle generally repeats every 90 minutes.

What does light trigger our eyes to stop producing that wakes us up?

Light triggers the cessation of melatonin production.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.

What is it called when you need to take more of a drug to get the same effects?

Tolerance.

What is it called when you experience withdrawal symptoms from a drug?

Withdrawal.

What can psychoactive drugs stimulate, inhibit, or mimic in the body?

Psychoactive drugs can affect neurotransmitter activity.

What is it called when you crave a drug despite its adverse effects?

Addiction.

What can environmental factors do to genes?

Environmental factors can influence gene expression.