Psychology 101 Exam 1

(replaced structuralism) what the mind does and how behavior functions.

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.

Testable prediction

A prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested.

Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis.

Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation.

To be studied

Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way.

Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated or "correlated".

Pattern or whole

"the whole is more than the sum of its parts."

Carries potentials to terminal buttons

The part of the neuron that carries messages destined for other neurons.

the rule that neurons are either on or off.

The space between two neurons where the axon of a sending neuron communicates with the dendrites of a receiving neuron by using chemical messages.

(like a key in a lock)

Chemicals that carry messages across the synapse to dendrite (and sometimes the cell body) of a receiver neuron.

A chemical message that makes it more likely that receiving neuron will fire and an action potential will travel down its axon.

A chemical message that prevents or decreases the likelihood that receiving neuron will fire.

A chemical communication network that sends messages throughout the body via the bloodstream.

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.

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.

The part of the brain located in the middle of the central core that acts primarily to relay information about the senses.

(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.

The part of the brain that controls eating, aggression, and reproduction.

The "new brain," responsible for the most sophisticated information processing in the brain; contains four lobes.

1. Experiment

2. Correlation of Studies

(always look at variables)
Independent & Dependent

Variable that is measured examined to see if it changed if exposed to the independent variable.

a measure of how much two or more variables correlate

strength - a good basis for prediction

weakness - cannot explain causation (no cause & effect)

Observed variables change together in the same direction.

Observed variables change in opposite directions.

A mathematical expression of the strength and the direction of the correlation between variables.

1. Archival Research (old records)

2. Naturalistic Observation

3. Surveys (interviews, questionnaires)

4. Case study

Intensive, in depth study of one person or a group of persons.

1. Dendrites

2. Soma Membrane

3. Axon Hillock

4. Axon

5. Terminal Buttons

Temporarily stores the pos. and neg. electrical charges that come in from dendrites.

The neuron's "bookkeeper" fires an action potential down the axon.

Electrical charge on the soma membrane when NO messages are coming in.

-70 MV

+110 charges in = +40MV = threshold

1. Sodium

2. Potassium

3. Chloride

NA+

K+

Cl-

(Negative)

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

1. Acetylcholine

2. Serotonin

3. Dopamine

4. Gaba

5. Endorphins

excitatory neurotransmitter that actuates motor neurons.

Contributes to regulation of attention, arousal, and memory.

Decreased levels of acetylcholine are found in Alzheimer's disease.

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)

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.

Widely distributed inhibitory neurotransmitter

Low levels of gaba associated with anxiety (not enough chloride) treated with valium and other anti-anxiety drugs.

Take body's endogenous pain killers

Found in brain and spinal cord

Inhibitory = Lower levels of pain

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.

The sorting out, interpretation, analysis, and integration of stimuli by the sense organs and brain.

The smallest intensity that must be present for the stimulus to be detected.

An adjustment in sensory capacity after prolonged exposure to unchanging stimuli.

The theory that there are three kinds of cones in the retina, each of which responds primarily to a specific range of wavelengths.

The movement air molecules brought about by a source of vibration

The part of the ear that vibrates when sound waves hit it.

A coiled tube in the ear filled with fluid that vibrates in response to sound.

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.

Tiny cells, covering the basilar membrane that, when bent by vibrations entering the cochlea, transmit neural messages to the brain.

The theory that the entire basilar membrane acts like a microphone, vibrating as a whole in response to a sound.

Control of left hand, specializes in recognizing faces.

Vision

Hearing

Taste

Smell

Touch

Habination

Light comes in and hits the pupil.

Goes through the retina.

Retina has rods & cones.

Send action potentials to optic nerve.

Specialize in wave lengths, color perception.

Perception of blue

Perception of green

Perception of red.

bright colors, loud sound

dull color, soft sound.