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72 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Functionalism |
(replaced structuralism) what the mind does and how behavior functions. |
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Scientific Method |
Theory (variable- a factor of study interest) Hypothesis (testable prediction) Variable(s) (to be studied) Approach used by psychologists to systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest. |
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Hypothesis |
Testable prediction A prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested. |
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Archival research |
Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis. |
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Naturalistic observation |
Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation. |
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Variables |
To be studied Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way. |
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Correlation research |
Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated or "correlated". |
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Gestalt psychologist |
Pattern or whole "the whole is more than the sum of its parts." |
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Dendrite |
receive messages from other neurons
positive & negative - electrical charges A cluster of fibers at one end of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons. |
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Axon |
Carries potentials to terminal buttons The part of the neuron that carries messages destined for other neurons. |
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All-or-None-Law |
the rule that neurons are either on or off. |
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Synapse |
The space between two neurons where the axon of a sending neuron communicates with the dendrites of a receiving neuron by using chemical messages. |
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Neurotransmitters |
(like a key in a lock) Chemicals that carry messages across the synapse to dendrite (and sometimes the cell body) of a receiver neuron. |
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Excitatory message |
A chemical message that makes it more likely that receiving neuron will fire and an action potential will travel down its axon. |
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Inhibitory message |
A chemical message that prevents or decreases the likelihood that receiving neuron will fire. |
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Endocrine system |
A chemical communication network that sends messages throughout the body via the bloodstream. |
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Pituitary gland |
Gets messages from optic nerve (light - serotonin, dark - melatonin) The major component of the endocrine system, or "master gland", which secretes hormones that control growth and other parts of the endocrine system. |
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Cerebellum |
Hind brain. (little brain) smooths out/clarifies messages for the brain. Takes in information to respond, makes decisions. The part of the brain that controls bodily balance. |
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Thalamus |
The part of the brain located in the middle of the central core that acts primarily to relay information about the senses. |
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Hypothalamus |
(Knows what's going on) A tiny part of the brain, located below the thalamus, that maintains homeostasis and produces and regulates vital behavior, such as eating, drinking, and sexual behavior. |
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Limbic system |
The part of the brain that controls eating, aggression, and reproduction. |
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Cerebral cortex |
The "new brain," responsible for the most sophisticated information processing in the brain; contains four lobes. |
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Methods of research studies |
1. Experiment 2. Correlation of Studies |
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Experiment |
(always look at variables) |
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Independent variable |
The factor that is manipulated by the researcher
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Dependent variable |
Variable that is measured examined to see if it changed if exposed to the independent variable. |
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Correlation Studies |
a measure of how much two or more variables correlate strength - a good basis for prediction weakness - cannot explain causation (no cause & effect) |
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Positive correlations |
Observed variables change together in the same direction. |
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Negative correlations |
Observed variables change in opposite directions. |
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Correlations coefficient |
A mathematical expression of the strength and the direction of the correlation between variables. |
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Types of correlation studies |
1. Archival Research (old records) 2. Naturalistic Observation 3. Surveys (interviews, questionnaires) 4. Case study |
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Case Study |
Intensive, in depth study of one person or a group of persons. |
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Structures of the interneurons |
1. Dendrites 2. Soma Membrane 3. Axon Hillock 4. Axon 5. Terminal Buttons |
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Soma Membrane (body) |
Temporarily stores the pos. and neg. electrical charges that come in from dendrites. |
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Axon Hillock |
The neuron's "bookkeeper" fires an action potential down the axon. |
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Terminal Buttons |
Sends messages to other neurons
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Soma's resting membrane potential |
Electrical charge on the soma membrane when NO messages are coming in. -70 MV +110 charges in = +40MV = threshold |
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Electrolytes in the synaptic gap |
1. Sodium 2. Potassium 3. Chloride |
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Sodium |
NA+ |
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Potassium |
K+ |
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Chloride |
Cl- |
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EPSPs |
(Positive)
Excitatory postsynaptic potential |
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IPSPs |
(Negative) Inhibitory postsynaptic potential |
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Neurotransmitters |
1. Acetylcholine 2. Serotonin 3. Dopamine 4. Gaba 5. Endorphins |
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Acetylcholine |
excitatory neurotransmitter that actuates motor neurons. Contributes to regulation of attention, arousal, and memory. Decreased levels of acetylcholine are found in Alzheimer's disease. |
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Seratonin |
Inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain and spinal cord. Involved in sleeping, eating, attention, mood, and depression. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitions used to treat depression (low levels) |
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Dopamine |
Contributes to movement, pleasure and reward, and attention. Excitatory. Too much dopamine cause symptoms of schizophrenia Too little dopamine associated with Parkinson's Disease. Pleasure & reward leads to people using. Cocaine and amphetamines psychosis. |
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Gaba |
Widely distributed inhibitory neurotransmitter Low levels of gaba associated with anxiety (not enough chloride) treated with valium and other anti-anxiety drugs. |
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Endorphins |
Take body's endogenous pain killers Found in brain and spinal cord Inhibitory = Lower levels of pain |
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Sensation |
Sensory neurons take environmental stimuli and tranduce them into neural messages. (excitatory) light waves The activation of the sense organs by a source of physical energy. |
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Perception |
The sorting out, interpretation, analysis, and integration of stimuli by the sense organs and brain. |
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Absolute threshold |
The smallest intensity that must be present for the stimulus to be detected. |
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Adaptation |
An adjustment in sensory capacity after prolonged exposure to unchanging stimuli. |
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Trichromantic theory of color vision |
The theory that there are three kinds of cones in the retina, each of which responds primarily to a specific range of wavelengths. |
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Sound |
The movement air molecules brought about by a source of vibration |
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Eardrum |
The part of the ear that vibrates when sound waves hit it. |
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Cochlea |
A coiled tube in the ear filled with fluid that vibrates in response to sound. |
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Basilar Membrane |
A vibrating structure that runs through cener of the cochlea, dividing it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and containing sense receptors for sound. |
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Hair cells |
Tiny cells, covering the basilar membrane that, when bent by vibrations entering the cochlea, transmit neural messages to the brain. |
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Frequency theory of hearing |
The theory that the entire basilar membrane acts like a microphone, vibrating as a whole in response to a sound. |
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Left hemisphere |
Control of right hand, information delivered to left visual processing area. Understanding language and being able to speak analytical.
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Right hemisphere |
Control of left hand, specializes in recognizing faces. |
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Sensory Mobility |
Vision Hearing Taste Smell Touch |
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Subliminal stimuli |
Below absolute threshold that we can detect. May not be aware we can detect it.
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Sensory Adaptation |
Habination |
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Structure of the human eye |
Light comes in and hits the pupil. Goes through the retina. Retina has rods & cones. Send action potentials to optic nerve. |
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Cones |
Specialize in wave lengths, color perception. |
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Short wave lengths |
Perception of blue |
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Moderate wave lengths |
Perception of green |
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Long wave lengths |
Perception of red. |
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Greater amplitude |
bright colors, loud sound |
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Smaller amplitude |
dull color, soft sound. |