Scientific Foundations

Scientific Foundations

  • Case Studies: Detailed examination of a single individual or group.

  • Positive, Negative & Illusory Correlations: Positive - both variables increase or decrease together; Negative - one variable increases while the other decreases; Illusory - perceived correlation that doesn't exist.

  • Social Psych: Study of how individuals interact with others.

  • Solomon Asch: Conformity experiments where participants gave incorrect answers to conform to group.

  • Cognitive Dissonance: Psychological discomfort when beliefs conflict with actions.

  • Groupthink: Desire for harmony or conformity results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.

  • Biobase: Genetic predisposition to certain behaviors or conditions.

  • Neuroplasticity: Brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways based on experience or injury.

  • Somatosensory vs Motor Cortex: Sensory perception vs. motor function in brain.

  • Thalamus: Relay station for sensory information.

  • Nervous System: Network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body.

  • Types of Brain Scans: CT, MRI, PET, fMRI - used to image brain structure and function.

  • CT (Computed Tomography): Provides detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels.

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain.

  • PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Measures metabolic activity in the brain by detecting radioactive tracers.

  • fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

  • Neurotransmitters/Hormones: Chemical messengers in the brain.

  • CT (Computed Tomography): Provides detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels.

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain.

  • PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Measures metabolic activity in the brain by detecting radioactive tracers.

  • fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.