Psychology Exam Study Notes

Exam Schedule
  • Exam 2: Thursday, March 27 (120 points)
  • No Class: Tuesday, April 1 (Optional view talk/Extra Credit survey)
  • Review Session: Thursday, April 3
  • Exam 3: Tuesday, April 15 (Cumulative, 160 points)
  • Further Reviews: Various dates leading to optional MT4 on May 1 (120 points, may replace MT1 or MT2)
Course Objectives

  1. Breadth of Psychology

    • Understanding major sub-areas and types of psychologists
    • Types include mental health professionals, research psychologists, and applied psychologists
    • Typical faculty at UConn Psychological Science

  2. Research Methods

    • Advantages and disadvantages of various research methods:
      • Descriptive methods (case studies, surveys, naturalistic observations)
      • Experimental and quasi-experimental methods

  3. Experimental Research Concepts

    • Independent and dependent variables
    • Randomization, between and within-subject designs
    • Confounding and control variables

  4. Science Literacy

    • Understanding government agencies, peer-review, and open access publications
    • Finding peer-reviewed scientific papers

  5. Nervous System Structures

    • CNS vs PNS
    • Neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, sensory and motor cortices
    • Subcortical inputs regulating arousal, attention, and sleep
Genetics and Evolution

  1. Basic Genetics

    • Chromosomes, genes, nucleotides, codons, SNPs
    • Polymorphic variation and genetic disorders affecting behavior

  2. Synaptic Communication

    • Mechanisms of psychoactive drug effects:
      • Agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibition
Psychiatric/Neurological Disorders

  1. Important Disorders

    • Symptoms, neurobiology, and treatments for:
      • Autism, dyslexia, schizophrenia, ADHD, Parkinson’s, Huntington's, Alzheimer’s

  2. Concordance Rates

    • Definition and significance in comparing identical (MZ) and fraternal (DZ) twins
    • Genetic contributions to phenotypic traits
    • GWAS studies reveal gene associations with risks for psychiatric disorders
Neocortex Structure and Function

  1. Neocortex Basics

    • All mammals share a neocortex with six layers of neurons (90% glutamate, 10% GABA)
    • Functions in sensory experience and voluntary movements

  2. Neuromodulatory Inputs

    • Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) contributions from subcortical nuclei
Endocrine System and Communication

  1. Hormonal Communication

    • Function of endocrine glands and their hormones (insulin, ghrelin, leptin)
    • Communication mechanisms (secretion into bloodstream)

  2. Neurotransmission vs Hormonal Communication

    • Neurons transmit signals locally while hormones can access various body systems
Basics of Neurotransmitter Action

  1. Synaptic Transmission

    • Release of neurotransmitters upon action potentials
    • Binding to receptors on target neurons and mechanisms of neurotransmitter recycling (reuptake, degradation, diffusion)

  2. Neurotransmitter Types

    • Distinction between excitatory (e.g., glutamate) and inhibitory (e.g., GABA) neurotransmitters
    • Drug actions (agonists, antagonists, reuptake inhibitors) on neurotransmitter function
Subcortical Structures and Motor Control

  1. Basal Ganglia Function

    • Role in learning and performing voluntary motor acts
    • Relationship with cortical circuits for automatic movement optimization

  2. Parkinson’s Disease

    • Affects motor control and involves loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra

  3. Motor Circuitry

    • Overview of pathways (premotor cortex, primary motor cortex, basal ganglia, etc.) affecting motor functions