Key Concepts in Psychology

1. Definition of Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

   • Scientific Method: Involves observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.

   • Hypothesis: A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

2. Research Methods:

   • Empirical Method: Based on observation and experimentation.

   • Research Designs: Surveys, case studies, longitudinal studies

   • Ethical Considerations: Informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm.

3. Nervous System:

   • Divisions: Central and peripheral nervous systems.

   • Neurons: Basic units of the nervous system; action potentials are electrical signals.

   • Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.

4. Brain and Behavior:

   • Brain Injury: Can lead to changes in behavior.

   • Brain Lobes: Frontal (decision-making), parietal (sensory processing), occipital (vision).

5. Consciousness:

   • Characteristics: Awareness of self and environment.

   • Altered States: Hypnosis, meditation, sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy).

   • Circadian Rhythms: Biological processes that cycle roughly every 24 hours.

   • Sleep Stages: REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep.

Summary of Key Concepts in Psychology

1. Psychology: Study of behavior and mental processes using the scientific method.

2. Research Methods: Empirical methods, various designs (surveys, case studies), and ethical considerations.

3. Nervous System: Central and peripheral systems; neurons transmit signals via action potentials and neurotransmitters.

4. Brain and Behavior: Brain injuries affect behavior; different lobes serve specific functions.

5. Consciousness: Awareness, altered states, circadian rhythms, and sleep stages.

   Awareness

   Awareness refers to the state of being conscious of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It encompasses both external awareness (environment) and internal awareness (thoughts and emotions).

   Altered States

   Altered states of consciousness are conditions that differ from normal waking consciousness. These can occur due to meditation, hypnosis, drug use, or sleep. They often involve changes in perception, emotion, and cognition.

   Circadian Rhythms

   Circadian rhythms are biological processes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, influencing sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, and other bodily functions. They are regulated by the body's internal clock, primarily located in the hypothalamus.

   Sleep Stages

   Sleep stages are categorized into non-REM (NREM) and REM sleep. NREM sleep includes stages 1-3, progressing from light to deep sleep, while REM sleep is associated with vivid dreaming. Each stage plays a crucial role in physical and mental restoration.

1. Dreams: Manifest and latent content.

   Manifest and Latent Content

   Manifest Content:

   • Refers to the explicit, surface-level meaning of a dream or text.

   • It includes the actual events, images, and thoughts that are consciously remembered.

   • Example: In a dream about flying, the manifest content is the experience of flying itself.

   Latent Content:

   • Represents the hidden, underlying meaning or symbolism behind the manifest content.

   • It reflects the unconscious desires, fears, and thoughts that influence the manifest content.

   • Example: The latent content of the flying dream might symbolize a desire for freedom or escape from responsibilities.

   Key Points:

   • Psychoanalytic Theory: Introduced by Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the importance of both content types in understanding human psychology.

   • Interpretation: Analyzing both types can provide insights into an individual's psyche and emotional state.