Psychology Concepts and Terminology

Psychological Basis Pillar

• Nature vs. Nurture:

  • Nature: genetic influences on behavior (heredity).

  • Nurture: environmental influences on behavior.

  • Both influence behavior as seen in adoption studies.

Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord.

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): all other nerves.

  • Somatic NS: voluntary movement.

  • Autonomic NS: involuntary functions; includes sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest).

Neurons and Action Potentials

• Neurons are the basic units of the nervous system.

• Action Potential (AP): electrical charge that travels down the axon.

  • Resting potential: neuron at -70mV.

  • Depolarization: switches charge to positive, triggering AP.

  • All-or-nothing principle: AP generated if threshold met.

  • Refractory period: time needed to reset before firing again.

Neurotransmitters

• GABA: major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

• Glutamate: major excitatory neurotransmitter.

• Dopamine: associated with reward and movement; linked to addiction.

• Serotonin: regulates mood and sleep; low levels linked to depression.

• Acetylcholine: memory and movement; associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain Structure and Functions

• Cerebellum: coordination and balance.

• Brainstem/Medulla: vital functions (breathing, heartbeat).

• Limbic System: emotions and memory.

  • Amygdala: emotions.

  • Hippocampus: memory processing.

  • Hypothalamus: homeostasis and pleasure/reward.

• Frontal Lobe: decision-making and personality.

• Occipital Lobe: vision processing.

Research Design

• Hypothesis: testable and falsifiable statement.

• Correlation studies: measure relationships between variables; does not imply causation.

• Types of Research:

  • Naturalistic Observation: observing in natural settings; no cause/effect.

  • Case Studies: detailed study of one subject.

  • Experiments: manipulate variables for cause/effect.

  • Independent Variable: manipulated.

  • Dependent Variable: measured.

Memory

• Encoding: converting information to memory.

• Storage: retaining information (multi-store model).

  • Sensory memory, Short-term memory (30 seconds), Long-term memory (lifetime).

• Retrieval: recalling information; can be affected by interference.

• Forgetting curve: rapid initial loss of information followed by a plateau.

Sleep and Dreaming

• Stages of Sleep:

  • NREM: stages 1-3; includes deep sleep (delta waves).

  • REM Sleep: dreaming stage.

• Sleep Disorders: insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy.

• Dream Theories: Activation synthesis vs. consolidation.

Perception

• Top-Down Processing: perception influenced by expectations.

• Bottom-Up Processing: perception starts from sensory input.

• Gestalt Principles: whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

  • Closure, similarity, proximity principles.

Conclusion

• Integrates knowledge of biological, psychological, and environmental factors affecting behavior, cognition, and emotional regulation.