Studied by 18 people
Token economy
Everytime a desired behavior is performed, a token is given -They can trade tokens in for a variety of prizes (reinforcers) -Used in hoes, prisons, mental institutions, and schools
Nature vs Nurture;N v N
Heredity vs. Environment
Plato
Socrates' most well known pupil. Founded an academy in Athens.
Believes we inherit character and intelligence and certain ideas are also inborn
Aristotle
Greek philosopher. A pupil of Plato. Believed comes from the external world and senses.
Loche
In the 1600's this particular theorist believes that the mind is blank at birth
Opposite of Descartes-believed some ideas are innate at birth
levels of analysis
the differing complementary outlooks, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon/event
biosocial approach
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
behavioral approach
Approach focusing on how we learn observable responses
Biological Approach
an approach to psychology focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system
How genes influence individual diffrences
Cognitive Approach
An approach to psychology: how we encode, process (reasoning and solving problems) and retrieve information
Huministic Approach
An approach to psychology: How we can work toward fulfilling our potential? How we can overcome barriers to our personal growth.
Pyschodynamic Approach
An approach to psychology: how behavior springs from unconscious thoughts
Social-Cultural approach
An approach to psychology: How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures
psychometrics
the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits
basic research
pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
developmental psychology
branch of psychology: studies physical, cognitive, and social change
educational psychology
branch of psychology: studies influences on teaching and learning
personality psychology
branch of psychology: the scientific study of the psychological forces that make people uniquely themselves
social psychology
branch of psychology: exploring how we view and affect one another
applied research
scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
I/O Psychologist
studies and advises on behavior in the workplace
sub field: Human factor psychologists focus on the interaction between people and machines
positive psychology
the scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive
can psychology contribute to a good life that engages ones skill and a meaningful life that points beyond oneself
community psychology
branch of psychology: studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
Works to create environments that are healthy for all
Empiricism
the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation
Wilhelm Wundt
german physiologist who founded psychology as a formal science; opened first psychology research laboratory in 1879
G. Stanley Hall
american psychologist who established the first psychology research laboratory in the United States and founded the American Psychological Association
Structuralism
an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind -Wundt's
Functionalism
A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
Behaviorism
the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).
mental processes
internal, subjective experiences we infer from behavior
counsiling psychology
a branch of psychology that assists people with transition problems in living (often related to school, work, and marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.
Barnum Effect
Tendency for people to accept vague characterizations of themselves Horoscopes
Applied Research
scientific study that aims to solve practical problems Clear applications You can use it
Basic Research
pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base Explores curiosity Not immediately useful
Catharsis
Process of releasing and thereby providing relief from strong/repressed emotions
Hawthorne effect
A change in a subject's behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied
Dendrites
receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Myelin Sheath
A layer of fatty cells segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons. Enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses
Resting Potential
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane -the neuron is inactive - slightly negative charge -Outside of the axon's membrane mostly positively charged ions and fluid interior mostly negative.
Reuptake
process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
efferent neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands
Interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
afferent neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction
Dopamine
a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that affects hunger,sleep, arousal, and mood.
Endorphins
"morphine within"—natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.
Peripheral nervous system;PNS
system responsible for gathering information and for transmitting CNS decisions to other body parts -Everything but the brain and spinal cord -Somatic and autonomic
Nerves
bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary activity of visceral muscles and internal organs and glands.
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Epinephrine
Neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress. -Also known as adrenaline. -plays important role in the fight or flight response, emotional responses, and exercise
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress. -plays part in fight or flight response, increases alertness, vigilance, and memory function. -Also known as noradrenaline
Oxytocin
A hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
Pituitary Gland
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
EEG (electroencephalogram)
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
CAT scan
a method of creating static images of the brain through computerized axial tomography
MRI
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain
PET
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
ESB
electrical stimulation of the brain -Involves the introduction of a weak electrical current into specific locations in the brain. -Intended to mimic the natural flow of neural impulse through the neural pathways.
TMS
Imaging technique that allows scientists to temporarily enhance or depress activity in a specific area of the brain. -Performed on wide awake patients -May disrupt the electrochemical brain patterns of depression -Recent studies have confirmed its therapeutic effect
Brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Thalamus
the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
pons
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
Reticular Formation
Filters incoming stimuli from the spinal cord's sensory input and relays important information to other brain areas -Inside the brainstem behind the ears.
Cerebellum
the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; -Coordinates the fine muscle movements -Enables nonverbal learning and memory. -Helps us judge time, modulate our emotions, and discriminate sounds and textures -Bottom rear of the brain
Medulla
Involved in the control of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing Located just above the spinal cord
limbic system
neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; -Controls and regulates the body temperature, sexual arousal, hunger, thirst, the endocrine system -One of multiple dopamine-related reward systems associated with the built-in systems for survival.
Amygdala
two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; -Involved in how we process memory. -More involved in volatile emotions like anger, intense emotions
Hippocampus
A neural center located in the limbic system that Involved in the processing and storage of memories. -If you lose it can't form new memories of facts or events
Left hemisphere
controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math
Right Hemisphere
controls the left side of the body; creative, intuitive, spacial
Glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
Motor Cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements -Sends signals to our body controlling muscle movements
Broca's area
Controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
Parietal Lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
Sensory Cortex
area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Wernike's Area
Interprets written and spoken speech
Temporal lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
occipital lobes
portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Brain plasticity
the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Neurogenesis
the formation of new neurons
corpus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
fraternal twins
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
monozygotic twins
identical twins formed when one zygote splits into two separate masses of cells, each of which develops into a separate embryo
continuity and stages
Is development a gradual, continuous process or a sequence of separate stages?
stability-change issue
the debate about the degree to which early traits and characteristics persist through life or change
zygotes
fertilized eggs
embryo
the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month
placenta
A structure that allows an embryo to be nourished with the mother's blood supply
fetus
the developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth
