Week 2 flash cards

Psychological Research Part 2

1. What is the goal of a correlational study design?

   • To examine the relationship between two variables and determine whether they are associated with each other.

2. How is the correlational method different from the experimental method?

   • Correlational studies identify relationships but do not establish causation (no manipulation of variables).

   • Experimental studies involve manipulating an independent variable to see its effect on a dependent variable, allowing for causal conclusions.

3. Difference between a positive, negative, and no correlation:

   • Positive correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases (e.g., studying more → higher GPA).

   • Negative correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases (e.g., more social media use → lower sleep quality).

   • No correlation: No relationship between the variables (e.g., shoe size and intelligence).

4. Pro & Con of the correlational method:

   • Pro: Allows researchers to study relationships that would be unethical or impossible to manipulate in experiments.

   • Con: Cannot establish causation.

5. Interpret the strength and direction of correlations:

   • 0.7 correlation → Strong positive relationship.

   • -0.2 correlation → Weak negative relationship.

   • 0 correlation → No relationship between the variables.

6. Hypothesis for a correlational study on extracurricular activities and satisfaction at Linfield:

   • "Students who participate in extracurricular activities at Linfield will report higher levels of satisfaction with their college experience compared to those who do not participate."

Descriptive Study Design

7. Goal of a descriptive study design:

   • To systematically and accurately describe behaviors, thoughts, or attributes of a group without determining cause-and-effect relationships.

8. What is naturalistic observation?

   • A research method where researchers observe and record behavior in its natural environment without interference.

9. Pro & Con of naturalistic observation:

   • Pro: Provides realistic, authentic data because behavior is not influenced by a lab setting.

   • Con: Lack of control over variables; difficult to determine cause and effect.

Biopsychology Part 1

10. Divisions of the Nervous System:

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain & spinal cord (processes information, controls responses).

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside the CNS that connect it to the body.

• Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements (e.g., walking, grabbing objects).

• Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions (e.g., heartbeat, digestion).

• Sympathetic Nervous System: "Fight or flight" – prepares body for stress (increases heart rate, dilates pupils).

• Parasympathetic Nervous System: "Rest and digest" – calms the body after stress.

11. What is a neuron?

• A nerve cell that transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

12. Functions of parts of a neuron:

• Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons.

• Cell body (soma): Processes information and keeps the neuron alive.

• Axon: Carries electrical signals away from the cell body.

• Myelin sheath: Speeds up signal transmission along the axon.

• Terminal branches (terminal buttons): Release neurotransmitters to send signals to the next neuron.

13. What is a synapse? What happens there?

• The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released, allowing neurons to communicate.

14. When does a neuron “fire”? Is it electrical or chemical?

• When the neuron reaches a threshold and sends an electrical signal (action potential).

• Inside the neuron = electrical signal.

• Between neurons (synapse) = chemical communication.

15. All-or-None Principle of a Neural Impulse:

• A neuron either fires completely or not at all – no partial firing.

16. What are neurotransmitters and when are they released?

• Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry signals across the synapse.

• They are released when the action potential reaches the terminal branches.

• This process is chemical.

17. Functions of neurotransmitters:

• Acetylcholine (Ach): Muscle movement, learning, memory.

• Serotonin: Mood regulation, sleep, hunger.

• GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter (reduces brain activity, calms anxiety).

Practice Questions & Answers:

1. Dr. Ray found a +0.53 correlation between toddler nap length and happiness. Conclusion?
   ✅ The longer a toddler naps is related to more happiness in the afternoon.

2. Dave predicts that more homework leads to less time with friends. What type of relationship?
   ✅ A negative relationship.

3. A cognitive psychologist compares word recall in "read" vs. "imagine" conditions. Experimental or correlational?
   ✅ Experimental (manipulating instructions = independent variable).

4. A manager studies GPA and job performance. Experimental or correlational?
   ✅ Correlational (no manipulation, just looking at relationships).

5. Jan went through a haunted house and felt scared. Which nervous system was activated?
   ✅ Sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight").

6. If someone lacks serotonin, what would NOT be affected?
   ✅ The ability to move (Serotonin affects mood, sleep, and hunger, but movement is controlled by dopamine).

7. What part of the neuron receives info from other neurons?
   ✅ Dendrites.