Lectures 2 3 and Chapter 1 how 1 What are the goals of Psychology description what explanation why prediction when control 2 Understand the distinction between nativism empiricism nature nurture Empiricism nurture knowledge gained through experience senses Nativism nature idea that our thoughts ideas characteristics are inborn 3 What is the scientific method Used so that bias and error in measurement are reduced Know the steps involved perceive hypothesize test draw conclusions report revise replicate 4 What are the three types of research designs Know the advantages and disadvantages of the three types of designs Descriptive research describe case studies surveys lab observations easy and inexpensive to get data may not represent population you are interested in Correlational research measure predict quantitatively does not specify cause and effect Experimental research explain not always ethical not always feasible Laboratory observation more control specialized equipment do not always match up with real life behaviors Naturalistic observation allows researcher to get the real behavior however could change behavior if know being watched 5 Know what a survey is and what things you need to be careful about when using surveys ascertaining self reported attitudes opinions behaviors of people representative sample is key 6 Problems with surveys wording effect knowledge representativeness 7 What is the difference between a negative and a positive correlation Know how to determine the strength of a correlation What is an illusory correlation perception of relationship where none exists order in random events people always looking for patterns 8 What is the relationship between correlation and causation Correlation does NOT mean causation 9 Know the 3 measures of central tendency mean median range and why one may be better than another skewed distribution median better measure of central tendency than mean Key Terms Behaviorism Watson emphasized objective scientific analysis of observable behavior looked at behavior and it s measurement rather than consciousness stimuli and response rewards and punishments Case study individuals studied in great detail do not know if one person s experience will be the same as others Control group subjected to IV and who may receive a placebo treatment Correlation measure of relationship between 2 variables Dependent variable measurable response or behavior of the subjects in the experiment Experimental group subjected to the IV Functionalism William James functions of mind how our minds adapt to our changing environment heavily influenced by Darwin Hypothesis tentative explanation of a phenomenon based on observations Independent variable manipulated by the experimenter Population entire group of people or animals in which the researcher is interested Psychoanalysis Freud look into early mind belief that childhood experiences greatly influence the development of later personality traits and psychological problems unconscious conflict and post events Random assignment assigning subjects to the experiment or control groups randomly each subject of population has an equal chance of being selected in either group Representative sample randomly selected sample of subjects from a larger population of subjects Structuralism elements of mind study of most basic elements primary sensations perceptions that make up our conscious mental experiences involves introspection Wilhelm Wundt considered founder of modern psychology Lectures 4 5 and Chapter 2 1 What are the properties of an action potential all or none response intensity always the same input to dendrites crosses threshold and cell fires generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in axon s membrane 2 Know how neurons communicate with each other understand the lock and key analogy for neurotransmitters and receptors Antagonist blocks or reduce a cell s response to action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters Agonist mimics or enhance effects of neurotransmitter on receptor site of next cell increase decrease activity of that cell 3 Know the distinction between the autonomic division of PNS includes sympathetic and parasympathetic controls all involuntary muscles organs and glands somatic division of PNS controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles senses CNS CNS voluntary muscles sympathetic part of ANS react to stressful events and bodily arousal flight or fight parasympathetic part ANS calming restores body to normal functioning after arousal rest and digest day to day functioning of organs and glands 4 What are the techniques used to study the brain clinical observation lesions EEG PET MRI How do they work in general PET ingest radioactive glucose scanner detects where glucose goes while brain performs a given task color coded image MRI can look at soft tissue can see structure of brain very good spatial resolution EEG amplified recording of electrical waves sweeping across brain s surface measured by electrodes placed on scalp great temporal resolution poor spatial resolution 5 7 What are the 4 lobes of the cortex Frontal lobe located in front and top of brain higher mental processes and decision making production of fluent speech Temporal lobe area of cortex just behind temples sense of hearing and meaningful speech Occipital lobe rear and bottom of each hemisphere visual center Parietal lobe top and back of each hemisphere center for touch taste temperature sensation 6 Where are the motor and sensory cortex located What types of information do they process How are they organized Motor cortex rear of frontal lobe controls voluntary movements Sensory cortex front of parietal lobe processing information from skin and internal receptors for touch temperature body position taste What is aphasia and what brain areas are involved Is the brain plastic neuroplasticity ability within the brain to constantly change both structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma sculpted by genes and experience Broca s aphasia unable to speak fluently mispronounce words speak haltingly Wernicke s aphasia unable to understand or produce meaningful language Key Terms Association areas areas within each lobe responsible for coordination and interpretation of info more intelligent animals have increased areas Axon covered with myelin sheath to speed up messages carries neural messages to other cells Brain stem oldest part of the brain begins where spinal cord
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