PSY 201 Section 4 General Psychology Exam 3 Preparation Guide Lecture 12 Cognition Chapter 8 1 What is a simple way of defining thinking A mental representation 2 What is the nature of mental objects What tasks have been used to measure how we interact with them Mental images are not flat like photographs we rotate them mentally 3 What do we use to identify objects How do we develop categories 4 What is a prototype How does it relate to classification Prototype an ideal model used as a prime example of a particular concept OR a good example of something see example below Ex a robin is a prototype bird good example of what a bird is an ostrich is not We are basically classifying things by using prototypes in order to list something as a prototype we have to go through classifications on whether we believe this bird etc would be classified as a good prototype 5 How does language influence thinking What experiment is important for illustrating this Most thinking relies heavily on language because words encode translate the words into symbols that are esay to manipulate Semantics the study of meaning in word and language It is here that the link between language and thought becomes most evident 6 What elements make language unique to human beings Phonemes the basic speech sounds of a language Morphemes the smallest meaningful units in a language such as syllables or words 7 Generally what two ways do we use to solve problems What problem solving strategies do we use Quick automatic process for questions we think are easy OR things like mathematical calculations evaluating evidence Trial and error mechanical solution Algorithm explicit procedures for calculating an answer Heuristic strategy for simplifying a problem by reducing the number of alternatives Insight a ha 8 What are common barriers to problem solving note this was not discussed in detail in lecture it s in your textbook Emotional barriers inhibition and fear of making a fool of oneself far of making a mistake inability to tolerate ambiguity excessive self criticism Cultural barriers values that hold that fantasy is a waste of time that playfulness is for children only that reason logic and numbers are good that feelings intuitions pleasure and humor are bad or have no value in the serious buseiness of problem solving Ex a manger wants to solve a problem but becomes stern and angry when mmbers of team make jokes about solutions Learned barriers conventions about uses functional fixedness meanings possibilities taboos Ex a cook doesn t have any clean mixing bowls and fails to see that he could use a frying pan as a bowl Perceptual barriers habits leading to a failure to identify important elements of a problem Ex a beginning artist begins to dram a vase with flowers and fails to see that the empty spaces are the vas are part of the picture too Lecture 13 Sleep and States of Consciousness Chapter 5 1 What is consciousness What is an altered state of consciousness To be aware Your sensations and perceptions of external events 2 Why is sleep important What happens if someone is sleep deprived It s a biological necessity Trouble concentrating difficulty with motor control memory problems irritability death 3 What are the differences between REM and nREM sleep Calms body down helps process thoughts of day Sharpens memories problem solving skills contributes to brain growth 4 What happens at each different stage of sleep Stage 1 light sleep irregular waves muscle relax hypnotic jerk Stage 2 sleep spindles short burst of brainwave activity Stage 3 delta waves Stage 4 deep sleep 5 What behavioral treatments exist for insomnia Stimulus control Bed only sleep Sleep restriction Consistent bed time Paradoxical intention Trying to sleep makes you stay awake 6 How do nightmares and night terrors differ During REM During stage 4 7 What are the two ways hypnosis is conceptualized by theorists State theorist ASC characterized by narrow focus and openness to suggestions Nonstate theorist hypnosis blend of conformity relaxation imagination role play 8 What are the different types of meditation and how are they relevant for psychology Concentrative focus on one thing Ex your breathing Mindfulness opposite of being spaced out being present 9 What are the two general types of drugs and how do they work Agonist mimics effect of NTS Antagonists block effects of NTs 10 What are the different categories of psychoactive drugs Be able to identify examples Stimulants meth cocaine Ritalin nicotine Depressants alcohol Xanax ruffies 11 What drugs pose the great risk for physical dependence Why are some so life threatening Narcotics highly addictive blind to specific receptors for opiate cocaine heroin morphine endorphins Hallucinoegnes induces sensory distortions repeated uses leads to depression and anxiety LSD peyote molly Weed not stimulant causes memory problems and lung disease Lecture 15 Sex Gender and Sexuality Chapter 11 1 What is the difference between sex and gender Sex biologically male or female Gender psychological and social traits of gender 2 What biological differences are there between the sexes Female xx Male xy Sex glands 3 How is sexual orientation related to the nature nurture debate Sexual orientation is primarily nature differences in brain structures twin studies prenatal hormones Learning what toys to play with what people to like 4 What is gender role socialization How does this occur Be able to identify examples The process of learning gender behavior considered appropriate for one s sex in a given culture Learning what toys are appropriate to play with from their elders 5 How does sexual behavior differ in men and women How is it the same Women place more emphasis on emotional factors Equal potential between genders 6 Who are the important sex researchers discussed in lecture What specific contributions did they make William Masters and Virginia Johnson Sexual response has 4 phases excitement plateau orgasm resolution 7 How is the human sexual response cycle modeled What are the primary components and how do they differ between men and women Women much more complex can skip plateau phase or can remain at plateau phase and never reach orgasm Male arousal erection plateau orgasm BOTH HAVE SAME ORGASMIC RESPONSE 8 What are paraphilias Be somewhat familiar with the ones presented in lecture and in the book Sexual deviation Exhibitionism flashing Fetishism sexual arousal associated with inanimate objects Frotteurism sexually