AP Psychology Test
A lesion is an abnormal change in the structure of an organ or tissue due to injury, disease, or infection. It can manifest as a sore, wound, or any other type of tissue damage.
Example of a Lesion: A skin ulcer, which is an open sore on the skin or mucous membrane, is a common type of lesion.
Select Stimulation in Psychology
Select stimulation refers to the process of focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others, often related to attention and perception. It allows individuals to prioritize certain information in their environment.
Example: In a crowded room, a person may focus on a friend's voice while tuning out background noise and conversations. This selective attention helps in processing relevant information effectively.
MEG (Magnetoencephalography) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure the magnetic fields produced by neuronal activity in the brain.
Example of Use: A person might need an MEG when being evaluated for epilepsy, as it helps locate the source of seizures by mapping brain activity.
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It helps in diagnosing various conditions by providing more information than standard X-rays.
Example: A person might need a CT scan if they have severe abdominal pain, as it can help identify issues like appendicitis, tumors, or internal bleeding.
A PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) is a medical imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to visualize and measure metabolic processes in the body. It helps in diagnosing conditions, assessing the effectiveness of treatments, and monitoring disease progression.
Example: A person might need a PET scan to detect cancer, as it can show areas of high metabolic activity that may indicate tumor presence.
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body.
Example of when a person might need it: A doctor may order an MRI scan for a patient experiencing unexplained joint pain to assess for potential injuries, tumors, or other abnormalities in the soft tissues or cartilage.
An fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a neuroimaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It is often used to assess brain function and identify areas involved in specific tasks.
Example: A person might need an fMRI scan to evaluate brain activity related to language processing in patients with stroke or to plan surgery for brain tumors.
The medulla oblongata is located in the brainstem, just above the spinal cord. Its primary functions include:
Regulating vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Controlling reflex actions like swallowing, coughing, and vomiting.
Relaying signals between the brain and spinal cord.
It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
The pons is located in the brainstem, situated above the medulla oblongata and below the midbrain.
Regulation of Breathing: Helps control the rate and depth of breathing.
Communication: Acts as a relay station for signals between the cerebellum and the cerebrum.
Sleep Regulation: Involved in the sleep-wake cycle and REM sleep.
Facial Sensation and Movement: Contains nuclei for cranial nerves that control facial muscles and sensations.
Reticular Formation
Location:
The reticular formation is located in the brainstem, extending from the medulla oblongata through the pons and into the midbrain.
Regulates arousal and consciousness.
Plays a role in sleep-wake cycles.
Involved in filtering incoming stimuli to discriminate irrelevant background stimuli.
Contributes to motor control and coordination.
The thalamus is located in the brain, specifically at the top of the brainstem, near the center of the brain. It acts as a relay station for sensory information, processing and transmitting signals from the body to the cerebral cortex. It plays a crucial role in regulating sleep, alertness, and consciousness.
The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, beneath the occipital lobes and behind the brainstem.
Coordination of Movement: It helps in the smooth execution of voluntary movements.
Balance and Posture: It maintains balance and posture by adjusting muscle activity.
Motor Learning: It plays a role in learning motor skills and adapting movements based on experience.
Cognitive Functions: Involved in some cognitive processes, including attention and language.
The amygdala is an almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.
Example: The amygdala is activated when a person encounters a threatening situation, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
The Hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control the body temperature, heart rate, hunger.
Example: When you’re dehydrated, the hypothalamus signals thirst and releases the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys conserve water
The Hippocampus is a small curved structure located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. It helps in memory formation and spatial navigation.
Example: When learning a new route to work the hippocampus will help encode that info which helps you to recall that route later.
What are Association Areas?
areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. each seems to have a specific function
What is the Wernicke’s Area?
an association area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
What is the cerebral cortex?
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.
Frontal Lobes?
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in decisions to speak and move muscles and in making plans and judgments.
Parietal Lobes?
receives sensory input for touch and determines spatial reasoning and body position.
Temporal Lobes?
includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.
Motor Cortex?
an area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements.
Somatosensory Cortex?
registers and processes body touch and movement sensations. Resembles a strip of the brain on some scans, close to the motor cortex.
Broca’s Area?
Controls language production- an association area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
Who Gets A right In saying What study’s/research Methods are Ethical?
American Psychological Association code, Institutional Review Board (IRB) , Colleges
What are the 5 Ethical Guidelines?
Informed Consent
Limited Deception
Protect from harm and discomfort
Confidentiality
Debrief
What Is Informed Consent?
Inform potential participants about every aspect of the study that might Influence decision to participate and ensure its voluntary
Scenario: A team of nursing researchers is studying the effectiveness of a new intervention to reduce anxiety in postoperative patients. They plan to conduct this research by observing patients and having them participate in mindfulness sessions after surgery.
What is Limited Deception?
Only deceives people when it is absolutely essential to the study and must tell about deception at the end of study during debriefing.
Scenario: A psychology researcher is studying the effects of social pressure on decision-making. To observe real responses, participants are told they are taking part in a “group decision- making exercise” where they’ll discuss various topics. In reality some members are research assistants trained to offer specific opinions or responses that gently pressure participants toward certain choices.
What is Protection from harm and discomfort?
minimize only discomfort or risk involved in the study and must act to prevent participants from suffering any long-term negative consequences
Scenario: Study on the effects of a new stress-reduction technique for healthcare professionals working in high-stress environments, to test its effectiveness, researchers plan to monitor participants stress levels during and after their shifts.
What is Debrief?
Must reveal all relevant info about research and correcting any misimpressions it created
Scenario: Research team is conducting a study on impact of the stress on decision-making in nursing students. Participants are placed in a stimulated high-stress healthcare environment where quick decision making is made about patient care. The aim is to observe how stress affects their ability to prioritize tasks under pressure. After the study the students are told that some stress-inducing elements were intentionally added.
What is Psychoanalytical?
Importance of unconscious influence, early life experiences, and interpersonal relationships.
Scenario: Nurse named Alex has recurred feelings of guilt and anxiety about their work. Exploring into their past Alex has unresolved conflicts with a parent who criticized them for making mistakes. Alex realized that the experience may have led to self criticism in the workplace.
What is Humanistic?
motivation of people to grow psychologically and importance of choice and self direction in striving to reach ones potential.
Scenario: John receives a difficult diagnosis and the nurse approaches his emotional and mental well-being. She listens and asks John to express his thoughts and helps to find purpose and meaning in his situation. (Support)
What is Evolutionary?
Applies the principal of natural selection to explain psychological processes.
Scenario: Consider the body’s stress response. From an evolutionary perspective “fight or flight” response evolved as a survival mechanism helping our ancestors respond to immediate threats, Today it would activate in non-threatening situations like wok-related stress.
What is Biological?
Emphasizes studying the physical bases of human and animal behavior : nervous system, immune system, and genetics
Scenario: Researcher is studying effects of chronic stress on patients health. She notices that those with long-term stress have higher levels of cortisol(hormone) which also contributes to elevated blood pressure and weak immune function. She investigates how these hormonal changes affect different body systems.
What is Cognitive?
Focuses on the important role of mental processes in how people process info, develop language, solve problems and think.
Scenario: Sarah starts a new job in a office, she walks in and feels anxiety and excitement and notices her coworkers laughing and chatting. It triggers her thoughts about fitting in. It leads to her to identify the patterns in her thinking, helping her shift from self-doubt to a more positive outlook. At the end of the day she feels welcomed by her coworkers and reassures her initial fears.
What is Biopsycho-social?
interdisciplinary model that looks at biological , psychological, and social factors.
Scenario: 45yr old patient with chronic back pain visits a healthcare provider. The provider examines not only his muscle strain or spine degeneration but also their stress levels and coping mechanisms, support system, and work demand.
What is Sociocultural?
Focuses on how cultural factors influence patterns of behavior.
Scenario: Nurse notices that some patients from certain cultural backgrounds hesitate to express pain openly. The nurse recognizes that cultural norms influence how people perceive and communicate pain.
What is a case study?
Specific groups (unique = ethical to replace)
nursing researcher wants to understand the experiences of patients recovering from a rare surgery. They conduct an in-depth, long term analysis of their recovery process. The researcher collects data through interviews, observations, and medical records.
What is experiment?
random assignment
researchers want to study the effect of new medication on blood pressure. They get 200 participants with the same health backgrounds and random assign into 2 groups. The experiment group receives new medication while the control group receives a placebo. Over the weeks the researchers monitor blood pressure in both groups controlling all other variables.
What is a correlational study?
we cant experiment (comparing 2 variables)
Researcher wants to examine the relationship between sleep quality and stress levels with nursing students. They collect data from a large group of students, measuring how many hours each student sleeps on average and their reported stress levels through a questionnaire.
What is a Meta-Analysis?
Multiple studies w/ stat analysis
Healthcare researchers want to determine the most effective approach to manage anxiety in post-operative patients. Instead of a new experiment. So they gather data from numerous previous studies on anxiety management techniques, such as mindfulness, medication, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
What is Naturalistic Observation?
scientists watching w/out participants looking
Researcher wants to understand how children interact with each other in a playground setting. To gather authentic data, they visit a local park and observe the children at play while noting behaviors like sharing and taking turns.
AP Psychology Test
A lesion is an abnormal change in the structure of an organ or tissue due to injury, disease, or infection. It can manifest as a sore, wound, or any other type of tissue damage.
Example of a Lesion: A skin ulcer, which is an open sore on the skin or mucous membrane, is a common type of lesion.
Select Stimulation in Psychology
Select stimulation refers to the process of focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others, often related to attention and perception. It allows individuals to prioritize certain information in their environment.
Example: In a crowded room, a person may focus on a friend's voice while tuning out background noise and conversations. This selective attention helps in processing relevant information effectively.
MEG (Magnetoencephalography) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure the magnetic fields produced by neuronal activity in the brain.
Example of Use: A person might need an MEG when being evaluated for epilepsy, as it helps locate the source of seizures by mapping brain activity.
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It helps in diagnosing various conditions by providing more information than standard X-rays.
Example: A person might need a CT scan if they have severe abdominal pain, as it can help identify issues like appendicitis, tumors, or internal bleeding.
A PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) is a medical imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to visualize and measure metabolic processes in the body. It helps in diagnosing conditions, assessing the effectiveness of treatments, and monitoring disease progression.
Example: A person might need a PET scan to detect cancer, as it can show areas of high metabolic activity that may indicate tumor presence.
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body.
Example of when a person might need it: A doctor may order an MRI scan for a patient experiencing unexplained joint pain to assess for potential injuries, tumors, or other abnormalities in the soft tissues or cartilage.
An fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a neuroimaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It is often used to assess brain function and identify areas involved in specific tasks.
Example: A person might need an fMRI scan to evaluate brain activity related to language processing in patients with stroke or to plan surgery for brain tumors.
The medulla oblongata is located in the brainstem, just above the spinal cord. Its primary functions include:
Regulating vital autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Controlling reflex actions like swallowing, coughing, and vomiting.
Relaying signals between the brain and spinal cord.
It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
The pons is located in the brainstem, situated above the medulla oblongata and below the midbrain.
Regulation of Breathing: Helps control the rate and depth of breathing.
Communication: Acts as a relay station for signals between the cerebellum and the cerebrum.
Sleep Regulation: Involved in the sleep-wake cycle and REM sleep.
Facial Sensation and Movement: Contains nuclei for cranial nerves that control facial muscles and sensations.
Reticular Formation
Location:
The reticular formation is located in the brainstem, extending from the medulla oblongata through the pons and into the midbrain.
Regulates arousal and consciousness.
Plays a role in sleep-wake cycles.
Involved in filtering incoming stimuli to discriminate irrelevant background stimuli.
Contributes to motor control and coordination.
The thalamus is located in the brain, specifically at the top of the brainstem, near the center of the brain. It acts as a relay station for sensory information, processing and transmitting signals from the body to the cerebral cortex. It plays a crucial role in regulating sleep, alertness, and consciousness.
The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, beneath the occipital lobes and behind the brainstem.
Coordination of Movement: It helps in the smooth execution of voluntary movements.
Balance and Posture: It maintains balance and posture by adjusting muscle activity.
Motor Learning: It plays a role in learning motor skills and adapting movements based on experience.
Cognitive Functions: Involved in some cognitive processes, including attention and language.
The amygdala is an almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.
Example: The amygdala is activated when a person encounters a threatening situation, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
The Hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control the body temperature, heart rate, hunger.
Example: When you’re dehydrated, the hypothalamus signals thirst and releases the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys conserve water
The Hippocampus is a small curved structure located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. It helps in memory formation and spatial navigation.
Example: When learning a new route to work the hippocampus will help encode that info which helps you to recall that route later.
What are Association Areas?
areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking. each seems to have a specific function
What is the Wernicke’s Area?
an association area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
What is the cerebral cortex?
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.
Frontal Lobes?
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in decisions to speak and move muscles and in making plans and judgments.
Parietal Lobes?
receives sensory input for touch and determines spatial reasoning and body position.
Temporal Lobes?
includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.
Motor Cortex?
an area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements.
Somatosensory Cortex?
registers and processes body touch and movement sensations. Resembles a strip of the brain on some scans, close to the motor cortex.
Broca’s Area?
Controls language production- an association area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
Who Gets A right In saying What study’s/research Methods are Ethical?
American Psychological Association code, Institutional Review Board (IRB) , Colleges
What are the 5 Ethical Guidelines?
Informed Consent
Limited Deception
Protect from harm and discomfort
Confidentiality
Debrief
What Is Informed Consent?
Inform potential participants about every aspect of the study that might Influence decision to participate and ensure its voluntary
Scenario: A team of nursing researchers is studying the effectiveness of a new intervention to reduce anxiety in postoperative patients. They plan to conduct this research by observing patients and having them participate in mindfulness sessions after surgery.
What is Limited Deception?
Only deceives people when it is absolutely essential to the study and must tell about deception at the end of study during debriefing.
Scenario: A psychology researcher is studying the effects of social pressure on decision-making. To observe real responses, participants are told they are taking part in a “group decision- making exercise” where they’ll discuss various topics. In reality some members are research assistants trained to offer specific opinions or responses that gently pressure participants toward certain choices.
What is Protection from harm and discomfort?
minimize only discomfort or risk involved in the study and must act to prevent participants from suffering any long-term negative consequences
Scenario: Study on the effects of a new stress-reduction technique for healthcare professionals working in high-stress environments, to test its effectiveness, researchers plan to monitor participants stress levels during and after their shifts.
What is Debrief?
Must reveal all relevant info about research and correcting any misimpressions it created
Scenario: Research team is conducting a study on impact of the stress on decision-making in nursing students. Participants are placed in a stimulated high-stress healthcare environment where quick decision making is made about patient care. The aim is to observe how stress affects their ability to prioritize tasks under pressure. After the study the students are told that some stress-inducing elements were intentionally added.
What is Psychoanalytical?
Importance of unconscious influence, early life experiences, and interpersonal relationships.
Scenario: Nurse named Alex has recurred feelings of guilt and anxiety about their work. Exploring into their past Alex has unresolved conflicts with a parent who criticized them for making mistakes. Alex realized that the experience may have led to self criticism in the workplace.
What is Humanistic?
motivation of people to grow psychologically and importance of choice and self direction in striving to reach ones potential.
Scenario: John receives a difficult diagnosis and the nurse approaches his emotional and mental well-being. She listens and asks John to express his thoughts and helps to find purpose and meaning in his situation. (Support)
What is Evolutionary?
Applies the principal of natural selection to explain psychological processes.
Scenario: Consider the body’s stress response. From an evolutionary perspective “fight or flight” response evolved as a survival mechanism helping our ancestors respond to immediate threats, Today it would activate in non-threatening situations like wok-related stress.
What is Biological?
Emphasizes studying the physical bases of human and animal behavior : nervous system, immune system, and genetics
Scenario: Researcher is studying effects of chronic stress on patients health. She notices that those with long-term stress have higher levels of cortisol(hormone) which also contributes to elevated blood pressure and weak immune function. She investigates how these hormonal changes affect different body systems.
What is Cognitive?
Focuses on the important role of mental processes in how people process info, develop language, solve problems and think.
Scenario: Sarah starts a new job in a office, she walks in and feels anxiety and excitement and notices her coworkers laughing and chatting. It triggers her thoughts about fitting in. It leads to her to identify the patterns in her thinking, helping her shift from self-doubt to a more positive outlook. At the end of the day she feels welcomed by her coworkers and reassures her initial fears.
What is Biopsycho-social?
interdisciplinary model that looks at biological , psychological, and social factors.
Scenario: 45yr old patient with chronic back pain visits a healthcare provider. The provider examines not only his muscle strain or spine degeneration but also their stress levels and coping mechanisms, support system, and work demand.
What is Sociocultural?
Focuses on how cultural factors influence patterns of behavior.
Scenario: Nurse notices that some patients from certain cultural backgrounds hesitate to express pain openly. The nurse recognizes that cultural norms influence how people perceive and communicate pain.
What is a case study?
Specific groups (unique = ethical to replace)
nursing researcher wants to understand the experiences of patients recovering from a rare surgery. They conduct an in-depth, long term analysis of their recovery process. The researcher collects data through interviews, observations, and medical records.
What is experiment?
random assignment
researchers want to study the effect of new medication on blood pressure. They get 200 participants with the same health backgrounds and random assign into 2 groups. The experiment group receives new medication while the control group receives a placebo. Over the weeks the researchers monitor blood pressure in both groups controlling all other variables.
What is a correlational study?
we cant experiment (comparing 2 variables)
Researcher wants to examine the relationship between sleep quality and stress levels with nursing students. They collect data from a large group of students, measuring how many hours each student sleeps on average and their reported stress levels through a questionnaire.
What is a Meta-Analysis?
Multiple studies w/ stat analysis
Healthcare researchers want to determine the most effective approach to manage anxiety in post-operative patients. Instead of a new experiment. So they gather data from numerous previous studies on anxiety management techniques, such as mindfulness, medication, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
What is Naturalistic Observation?
scientists watching w/out participants looking
Researcher wants to understand how children interact with each other in a playground setting. To gather authentic data, they visit a local park and observe the children at play while noting behaviors like sharing and taking turns.
