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Introduction to Psychology: Key Terms and Definitions, Quizzes of Social Psychology

Definitions for various key terms and concepts in the field of psychology. Topics covered include structuralism, functionalism, psychodynamic theory, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, research methods, statistics, neurons, neurotransmitters, and various brain structures and functions.

Typology: Quizzes

2009/2010

Uploaded on 02/10/2010

ellekay
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TERM 1
Wundt
DEFINITION 1
aimed at answering questions about human conditions with
experiments
TERM 2
Titchener
DEFINITION 2
Structuralism-Elements of unconsciousness or the "content of
the mind"
TERM 3
James
DEFINITION 3
Functionalism-Role or function of psychological processes in
helping individuals adapt to their environment.
TERM 4
Psychodynamic
DEFINITION 4
Freud *behavior reflects interplay between thoughts,
feelings, wishes *some are unconscious *processes may
conflict with each other --Therapist interpret motives, and
unearth unconscious processes --Falsifiability criterion-theory
cannot be tested and proven incorrect
TERM 5
Behaviorist
DEFINITION 5
Pavlov, Watson, Skinner *Controlled by objects and events in
the environment *Thoughts and feelings NOT involved
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Wundt

aimed at answering questions about human conditions with

experiments

TERM 2

Titchener

DEFINITION 2

Structuralism-Elements of unconsciousness or the "content of

the mind"

TERM 3

James

DEFINITION 3

Functionalism-Role or function of psychological processes in

helping individuals adapt to their environment.

TERM 4

Psychodynamic

DEFINITION 4

Freud *behavior reflects interplay between thoughts,

feelings, wishes *some are unconscious *processes may

conflict with each other --Therapist interpret motives, and

unearth unconscious processes --Falsifiability criterion-theory

cannot be tested and proven incorrect

TERM 5

Behaviorist

DEFINITION 5

Pavlov, Watson, Skinner *Controlled by objects and events in

the environment *Thoughts and feelings NOT involved

Cognitive

way people perceive, process and retrieve info (memory and

decision making) -Info processing-how we take input from

environment and transform it into meaningful output

TERM 7

Evolutionary

DEFINITION 7

Darwin -behavior must be understood in terms of

evolutionary and adaptive significance -nature vs. nurture

TERM 8

Variable

DEFINITION 8

phenomenon that changes across situations or varies among

individuals

TERM 9

Continuous Variable

DEFINITION 9

ranges from high to low (GPA)

TERM 10

Categorical Variable

DEFINITION 10

groupings or classifications --Male/Female, Yes/No

Predictive

measure predicts performance or scores future measures

TERM 17

multi-modal assessment

DEFINITION 17

using multiple measures of a construct

TERM 18

Experimental

Research

DEFINITION 18

research method that can establish causation

TERM 19

Independent Variable

DEFINITION 19

variable that the experiment manipulates (the conditions)

TERM 20

Dependent Variable

DEFINITION 20

variable examined to see how/if its influenced by the

independent

Condition

experimental--study group being tested -control--study group

that receives neutral treatment

TERM 22

Confounding Variable

DEFINITION 22

variable that interferes with relationship of IV and DV--timing,

external, characteristics

TERM 23

Inferential Stats

DEFINITION 23

Analyses that determine whether hypothesis is correct (hope

for possibility of .05 or less)

TERM 24

Correlational

Research

DEFINITION 24

research that assesses the degree to which two variables are

related

TERM 25

Correlational Coefficient

DEFINITION 25

index of extent to which 2 variables are related

Axon

extension from cell body of neuron- electrical impulses pass

myelin sheath-lipid protective coating of axons involved in

diseases such as MS

TERM 32

Terminal Button

DEFINITION 32

end of axon sends signals from neuron to adjacent cells

(contains neurotransmitters - NT)

TERM 33

Synapses

DEFINITION 33

space between neurons NTs pass/communicate with other

neurons

TERM 34

Resting Potential

DEFINITION 34

neuron at rest, not firing, negatively charged

TERM 35

Graded potential

DEFINITION 35

neuron stimulated by another causing voltage changes down

the axon

action potential

voltage changes-lead to positive charge-causes neuron to

fire -causes NT to release into "synaptic cleft" in between

neurons

TERM 37

Excitatory

DEFINITION 37

makes another action potential/firing likely

TERM 38

Inhibitory

DEFINITION 38

reduces likelihood of another cycle

TERM 39

Glutamate

DEFINITION 39

excitatory NT involves in widespread activity (MSG, Learning)

TERM 40

GABA

DEFINITION 40

Inhibitory NT -involved in anxiety regulation slows things

down

Thyroid

located in neck -growth, metabolism, energy levels, mood --

hypothyroidism-underactive

TERM 47

Adrenal

DEFINITION 47

above kidneys -secretes adrenaline during emergencies

TERM 48

Gonads

DEFINITION 48

testicles/ovaries -release testosterone/estrogen

TERM 49

Somatic NS

DEFINITION 49

delivers sensory info to CNS--receptors throughout body -

carry out motor commands of CNS (fire alarm)

TERM 50

Automatic NS

DEFINITION 50

conveys info between CNS and bodily structures that carry

out life processes

Parasympathetic

Controls "normal" bodily activity

TERM 52

Sympathetic

DEFINITION 52

activated in response to threats fight/flight

TERM 53

CT scan

DEFINITION 53

produces x-rays that show abnoralities (tumors)

TERM 54

MRI

DEFINITION 54

imaging without x-rays (scans for lesions)

TERM 55

PET

DEFINITION 55

inject radioactive glucose into bloodstream -cells "light up"

on scan showing the active area

Tectum (Midbrain)

vision and hearing in conjunction with higher brain structures

TERM 62

Tegmentum (Midbrain)

DEFINITION 62

movement and arousal -site of dopamine producing neurons

TERM 63

Hypothalamus (Subcorticol Forebrain)

DEFINITION 63

regulates behavior -eating, sleeping, sexual activity -link

between NS and endocrine system

TERM 64

Thalamus (subcorticol Forebrain)

DEFINITION 64

relay station for sensory info

TERM 65

Amygdala (Limbic System)

DEFINITION 65

emotional processes -learning and remembering emotionally

significant events -recognizing emotion in others -fear

Hippocampus (Limbic System)

brain that stores new memories for later retrieval

TERM 67

Basal Ganglia (Limbic System)

DEFINITION 67

movement, spontaneous judgements

TERM 68

Cerebral Cortex - Primary

Areas

DEFINITION 68

receive sensory input and control motor movements

TERM 69

Cerebral Cortex-Association

Areas

DEFINITION 69

put together ideas, perceptions, plans

TERM 70

Corpus Collosum

DEFINITION 70

band of neural fivers that connects two hemispheres of the

brain

Right Hemisphere

perceptual skills, spatial orientation, recognition

TERM 77

Sensation

DEFINITION 77

process by which organs gather info about the environment

and transmit it to the brain for initial processing

TERM 78

perception

DEFINITION 78

brain selects, organizes and interprets sensations

TERM 79

skin senses (role)

DEFINITION 79

protect body aid in identification maintain body temp social

interactions

TERM 80

Touch

DEFINITION 80

-skin receptors specialized for pressure and temp -stimulation

occurs across receptors -sensory info can be misinterpreted

(neuropathy) -after sensory neurons react, motor neurons

respond with rapid reflex actions if necessary

Information Flow (touch)

Sensory Neurons--spinal cord--medulla--thalamus--parietal

lobe

TERM 82

Phantom Limbs

DEFINITION 82

reorganization of sensory systems sensations from missing

limbs

TERM 83

Pressure

DEFINITION 83

Fingers and face are most sensitive, back and legs are least -

great deal of space in brain is devoted to hands

TERM 84

Temperature

DEFINITION 84

-difference between skin temp and temp of an object -cold

and warm receptors ---cold also detect extreme temps

TERM 85

Experience Pain (contributing factors)

DEFINITION 85

beliefs, expectations, emotional state, cultural norms

Perceptual "set"

expectations that make certain interpretations more likely

Context: situational cues that guide perception Schemas:

patterns of enduring beliefs and expectations