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Cognitive Neuroscience

The study of the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and helps answer how and why questions related to brain activity.

Wilhelm Wundt

Founder of experimental psychology; known for conducting the first psychological experiment in 1879 in Germany related to sensation and perception.

Structuralism

A psychological approach championed by Edward Titchener that aimed to understand the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into their simplest components.

Functionalism

A psychological approach led by William James focused on understanding the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior, rather than breaking them down into elements.

Psychoanalysis

Developed by Freud, it emphasizes the role of the unconscious in influencing behavior and introduces concepts such as id, ego, and superego.

Behaviorism

A school of thought that focuses on observable behaviors rather than mental processes, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process that involves reinforcing desired behaviors and can shape behavior through reinforcement or punishment, associated with B.F. Skinner.

EEG

Electroencephalogram, a method used to record electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a neuroimaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Temporal Resolution

Refers to the precision of a measurement with respect to time; important in determining how quickly brain activity can be measured.

Digital Technology for Babies

A controversial topic in child development, with findings suggesting that excessive screen time does not significantly enhance cognitive growth in very young children.

Psychophysics

The study of the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations they produce, pioneered by Gustav Fechner.

Flashbulb Memories

Highly detailed and vivid memories of significant events, often associated with strong emotional responses.

Sunk Costs

A bias where individuals continue an endeavor or investment based on prior investment (time, money) rather than future outcomes.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making but are not always reliable or accurate.

Memory Distortion

Inaccuracies in recollection, where memories change over time based on new information or suggestions.

Encoding Specificity Principle

The idea that memory retrieval is enhanced when the retrieval conditions match the conditions present during encoding.

Dual Coding Theory

A theory suggesting that combining verbal and visual information enhances learning and memory.

Working Memory

The system that temporarily holds and processes information; similar to short-term memory but involves manipulation of information.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The study of the neural mechanisms underlying cognition, focusing on answering how and why questions related to brain activity.

Psychoanalysis

Developed by Freud, this perspective emphasizes the influence of the unconscious on behavior and includes concepts such as the id, ego, and superego.

Behaviorism

A school of thought focusing on observable behaviors rather than mental processes, emphasizing empirical evidence.

Functionalism

A psychological approach that emphasizes the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior, rather than breaking them down into elements.

Structuralism

A psychological approach aimed at understanding the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into their simplest components.

Flashbulb Memories

Highly detailed and vivid memories of significant events, often linked with strong emotional responses.

Id, Ego, and Superego

Freudian concepts representing the three parts of the human psyche; the id is the primal instinct, the ego mediates reality, and the superego represents moral conscience.

Temporal Resolution

The precision of a measurement in terms of time; important for determining how quickly brain activity can be measured.

EEG

Electroencephalogram, a method that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making but may not always lead to accurate conclusions.

Explicit Memory

A type of long-term memory that involves conscious recollection of facts and events.

Implicit Memory

A type of long-term memory that does not require conscious thought, such as skills and conditioned responses.

Testing Effect

The phenomenon where taking tests on material enhances later retention of that material, compared to restudying.

Mental Set

A tendency to approach problems in a particular way, often based on past experiences, which can hinder solving new problems.

Transduction

The conversion of physical signals from the environment into neural responses.

Psychophysics

The study of the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations they produce, developed by Gustav Fechner.

Sunk Costs

A decision-making bias where individuals continue an investment based on prior investments (time, money) rather than future outcomes.

Psychophysiological Methods

Techniques used to measure the relationship between mental events and physiological responses, helping to answer questions about behavior and cognition.

Event-Related Potentials (ERP)

Brain response that is the direct result of a specific sensory, cognitive, or motor event, measured through averaged EEG signals.

Temporal Resolution

The precision of a measurement in terms of time; critical in determining the timing of brain activity.

Spatial Resolution

Refers to the accuracy of a measurement in depicting where within the brain activity occurs; important for understanding brain function.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive technique that alters brain activity through electromagnetic induction, allowing researchers to investigate brain function by temporarily disrupting normal activity.

Polygenic Inheritance

A form of inheritance where multiple genes contribute to a characteristic or trait, making it complex to study behaviors and traits.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, highlighting the interaction between nature and nurture.

Mental Set

A tendency to solve problems using strategies that have worked in the past, potentially hindering the discovery of novel solutions.

What is Cognitive Neuroscience?

Cognitive Neuroscience is the study of the neural mechanisms underlying cognition, answering how and why questions related to brain activity.

Who is considered the founder of experimental psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt, known for conducting the first psychological experiment in 1879 related to sensation and perception.

What did Edward Titchener study?

He studied under Wundt and championed Structuralism, emphasizing the need to break down mental processes into their simplest components.

What does Functionalism focus on?

Functionalism focuses on the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior, rather than breaking them down into elements.

What is Psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis, developed by Freud, emphasizes the role of the unconscious in influencing behavior, involving concepts like the id, ego, and superego.

What did John Watson contribute to Psychology?

John Watson, a key figure in Behaviorism, argued that only observable behaviors can be studied scientifically.

What is the role of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning, associated with B.F. Skinner, emphasizes that behavior can be shaped through reinforcement or punishment.

What is the significance of spatial and temporal resolution in neuroimaging?

Spatial resolution refers to accuracy in depicting where brain activity occurs, while temporal resolution refers to accuracy regarding the timing of that activity.

What is the difference between EEG and fMRI?

EEG (Electroencephalogram) has excellent temporal resolution but lower spatial resolution, while fMRI (Functional MRI) has good spatial resolution but poor temporal resolution.

What is the Testing Effect?

The Testing Effect is the phenomenon where taking tests on material enhances later retention of that material compared to restudying.

What is the Dual Coding Theory?

The Dual Coding Theory posits that combining verbal and visual information enhances learning and memory.

What is memory distortion?

Memory distortion refers to inaccuracies in recollection, where memories change over time based on new information or suggestions.

What is the significance of the Encoding Specificity Principle?

The Encoding Specificity Principle suggests that memory retrieval is enhanced when the retrieval conditions match the conditions present during encoding.

What is implicit memory?

Implicit memory is a type of long-term memory that does not require conscious thought, including skills and conditioned responses.

What is the difference between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM)?

STM is limited in duration and capacity, often acoustic, while LTM is longer lasting, has a higher capacity, and is typically semantic.

What role do genetic factors play in psychology?

Genetic factors influence behaviors and traits; however, understanding the interplay of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) is crucial in psychology.

What is Elaboration in the context of memory?

Elaboration refers to processing information meaningfully and forming connections, improving memory retention.

What is functional fixedness?

Functional fixedness is a mental block that prevents a person from using an object in a new way, limiting problem-solving ability.

What is the Framing Effect?

The Framing Effect describes how people's decisions may be influenced by how information is presented, rather than the information itself.

What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy?

The Sunk Cost Fallacy is the tendency for individuals to continue an endeavor due to previously invested resources (time, money) even when it may not be rational to do so.

What did Gustav Fechner contribute to psychology?

Gustav Fechner is considered a founder of experimental psychology and proposed that the mind could be studied through the relationship between physical stimuli and sensations.