Lecture 2 and Chapter 1 pgs 2 18 1 What are the goals of Psychology Prediction correllations Description descriptive methods surveys naturalistic observations lab experiemnts case studies Application Control Explanation experiments to explain whats going on 2 Understand the distinction between nativism empiricism nature nurture I do not expect you to know all of the years that events happened Socrates Plato Nativism nature The idea that our thoughts ideas and characteristics are inborn carried in by our genes Aristotle Empiricism Knowledge is gained through experience senses Lecture 3 and Chapter 1 pgs 18 42 1 What is the scientific method Know the steps involved Reducing bias and error 1 Perceive 2 Hypothesize 3 Test 4 Draw conclusions 5 Report Revise Replicate 6 Repeat Descriptive Methods 2 Know the different types of descriptive research Naturalistic Observation ADV Researchers get a realistic picture of how behavior occurs b c they are watching it in its natural setting DIS When animals people know they are being watched they won t behave normally or person observing is bais Laboratory Observation ADV More practical to do experiments observer has more control DIS Artificial situation artificial behavior Case Studies ADV a lot of deatail on one person is provided DIS researchers can t really apply the results to similar people Correlational Research A measurement of the relationship between 2 variables Experimentation Research Allows us to manipulate the variable and isolate the cause effect 3 Know what a survey is and what things you need to be careful about when using surveys What is random sampling and why is it used Survey Researchers have the ability to get a tremendous amount of data on a very large group of people Must be careful about Wording effect wording of statements questions can affect the outcome 1 Knowledge must understand all words used in question Representativeness need a representative sample Random Sampling Process where each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected could be picked out of a hat 4 Know what a correlation is What is the difference between a negative and a positive correlation What is a scatterplot What is the relationship between correlation and causation What is an illusory correlation Correlation A measure of the relationship between two or more variables Positive correlation 2 variables increase in same direction Negative correlation 2 variables have an inverse relationship Illusionary correlation Superstitions Stereotypes Prejudices perception of a relationship that doesn t exist CORRELATION DOES NOT PROVE CAUSATION but variables can be related to eachother Self esteem could cause depression depression could cause self esteem could be a third variable causing both Scatterplot An imaginary line on a graph called a scatterplot around which data points gather showing the strength of correlation 5 How do experiments help researchers isolate cause and effect What are dependent and independent variables What is random assignment and why is it important Experiments Researchers change in some purposeful way and if there is a change or effect they know what is causing it Independent Variable Variable that has manipulated any experiment Dependent Variable Response of subjects or results of some actionto see how the independent variable has affected it Key to an experiment Random Assignment Each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to the experiemnetal control group controls for everything else to be the same besides the thing that is being manipulated 6 Know the 3 measures of central tendency and why one may be better than another if the data is skewed Understand the measures of variation range standard deviation 3 measures of central tendancy Mode Most frequently occurring score in a distribution not good representation Mean The arithmetic average of scores in a distribution obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by Median Middle score in a rank ordered distribution good representation their number Measures of variation Range Difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution Standard deviation A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean Lecture 4 and Chapter 2 pgs 44 65 1 Know the basic anatomy of a neuron dendrite soma axon myelin sheath What does each part do 2 Neuron specialized cell in the nervous system that sends receives messages within that system Soma attatched to dendrites contains nucleus keeps entire cell alive and functioning Dendrites part that receives messages from other cells Axon fiber attached to soma carries messages out to other cells Myelin Sheath fatty substances that coat the axon to insulate protect speeds up neural message traveling down the axon 2 What are the properties of an action potential The reversal of electrical charge as the neural message travels down cell is on inside on the outside It either is going to exceed the threshold and happens or it doesn t and it doesn t happen All or None if it exceeds the threshold neuron will fire Same intensity once it exceeds threshold 3 Be able to describe a synapse axon dendrites synaptic cleft neurotransmitters receptors Synaptic Knob at the end of the axon w synaptic vesceles Inside synaptic vesceles are nuerotransmittters they transmit a message inside neuron Next to synaptic vesicle is dendrite BETWEEN THEM is synapse or synaptic gap Surface of dendrite contains receptors allowing certain molecues to fit into it KEY LOCK 4 Know what neurotransmitters are and how they allow for signals to be sent between neurons 5 Know the distinction between the central peripheral autonomic somatic and sympathetic parasympathetic nervous systems Central Nervous System Composed of brain spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System Communicates with sensory systems and allows bran spinal cord to control musceles o Somatic Nervous System Carries messages to voluntary muscles walking raising hand in class smelling a flower etc o Autonomic Nervous System Controls everything else organs glands involuntary muscles Sympathetic Division Reacts to stressful events and body arousil Fight or Flight Parasympathetic Division Restores the body to normal functioning calms body after stressful situation Eat drink and rest Lecture 5 and Chapter 2 pgs 65 86 1 What are the techniques used to study the brain clinical observation lesions EEG PET MRI How do they work in general Lesion licorise is thin Insertion of a thin wire into the brain
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