Psychology Exam 1 Review

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Psychology

• Areas of Psychology: Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Forensic Psychology.

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid:

  1. Physiological Needs

  2. Safety Needs

  3. Love/Belonging Needs

  4. Esteem Needs

  5. Self-Actualization

• Self-Actualization: The realization of one’s potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

• Characteristics of a Self-Actualized Person:

  1. Realism

  2. Acceptance

  3. Problem-solving focus

  4. Autonomy

  5. Continued growth

• Ways to Achieve Self-Actualization:

  • Setting personal goals

  • Embracing spontaneity

  • Seeking peak experiences

Chapter 2 – Psychological Research

• Naturalistic Observation Research: Observing subjects in their natural environment without interference. Example: Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees.

• Hypothesis Driven Experiments: Experiments that test specific predictions by manipulating variables and observing the effects.

• Example of Case Study Research: A detailed examination of an individual or small group, like the study of Phineas Gage.

• Tuskegee Experiment: A study on untreated syphilis in African American men that became unethical due to lack of informed consent and deception about treatment.

• Key Terms:

  • Dependent Variable: The outcome measured in an experiment.

  • Independent Variable: The variable manipulated to observe effects on the dependent variable.

  • Correlation: A statistical relationship between two variables.

  • IRB (Institutional Review Board): A committee that reviews research to ensure ethical standards.

  • Informed Consent: Participants' agreement to take part in research with full awareness of risks.

  • Peer Review: Evaluation of research by experts in the field before publication.

Chapter 3 - Biopsychology

• Neuron Structure: Includes dendrites, cell body, axon, and myelin sheath.

• Synapse Structure: Composed of presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane.

• SSRIs: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase serotonin levels in the brain to treat depression.

• Brain Lobes and Functions:

  • Frontal Lobe: Decision-making, problem-solving.

  • Parietal Lobe: Sensory processing.

  • Temporal Lobe: Auditory information, memory.

  • Occipital Lobe: Visual processing.

• Key Brain Structures:

  • Prefrontal Lobe: Executive functions.

  • Hippocampus: Memory formation.

  • Amygdala: Emotion regulation.

  • Nucleus Accumbens: Reward and pleasure systems.

  • Striatum: Movement and motivation.

  • Hypothalamus: Hormonal regulation and homeostasis.

  • Pituitary Gland: Master gland of hormone regulation.

  • Sensorimotor Cortex: Coordination of movement and sensory input.

  • Motor Cortex: Control of voluntary movements.

  • Brain Stem: Vital life functions, such as heartbeat and breathing.

• Electrical Conductance and Action Potential: Movement of ions across the neuron membrane create an electrical impulse that travels down the axon.

• Chemical Neurotransmission: Release of neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synapse affecting post-synaptic neuron's activity.

• Neurotransmitters: Examples include Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine.