CH.1 ○ Mind Definition:The brain and emotion, and behavior. its activities, including thought, ○ Psychology Definition:The scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and brain functions. ○ Introspection Definition:The scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and brain functions. ○ Philosophy Definition:The discipline that systematically concepts, including the source of knowledge. examines basic ○ Natural Sciences Definition:Sciences that study the physical and biological events that occur in nature. ○ Structuralism Definition:An approach in which the mind is broken into the smallest elements of mental experience ○ Gestalt Psychology Definition:An approach that saw experience as being different from the sum of its elements. ○ Functionalism Definition:An approach that saw behavior as purposeful and contributing to survival ○ Humanistic psychology Definition:An approach that saw people as inherently good and motivated to learn and improve. ○ Behaviorism Definition:An approach that features the study and careful measurement of observable behaviors ○ Biological Definition:The relationships underlying biochemistry, psychology psychological perspective that focuses on the between mind and behavior, as well as their biological processes, including genetics, anatomy, and physiology; also known as : behavioral neuroscience ○ Evolutionary psychology Definition:A psychological perspective that investigates how physical structure and behavior have been shaped by their contributions to survival and reproduction ○ Cognitive psychology Definition:A psychological perspective that investigates information processing, thinking, reasoning, and problem solving ○ Developmental psychology Definition:A psychological perspective that examines the normal changes in behavior that occur across the life span. ○ Cultural diversity Definition:Variations in the practices, values, and goals shared by groups of people ○ Clinical psychology Definition:A psychological perspective that seeks to explain, define, and treat abnormal behaviors CH. 2 ○ Science Definition:A method for learning about systematic observation and experimentation reality through ○ Objectivity Definition:The practice of basing conclusions on facts, without the influence of personal emotion and bias. ○ Confirmation bias Definition:The tendency to notice and remember instances that support your beliefs more than instances that contradict them. ○ Critical thinking Definition:The ability independently. to think clearly, rationally, and ○ Theories Definition:A set of facts and relationships between facts that can explain and predict related phenomena. ○ Hypothesis Definition:A proposed explanation for a situation, usually taking the form “If A happens, then B will be the result.” ○ peer review Definition:The process of having research prior to its publication other experts examine ○ Replication Definition:Repeating an experiment and producing the same results. ○ Descriptive methods Definition:Research methods systematic observations. designed for making careful, ○ Case Study Definition:An in-depth analysis of the behavior of one person or a small number of people. ○ Naturalistic observation Definition:An in-depth study of a phenomenon in its natural setting. ○ Surveys Definition:A descriptive method in which participants are asked the same questions ○ Sample Definition:A subset of a population being studied. ○ Population Definition:The entire group from which a sample is taken. ○ Correlations Definition:A measure of the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables. ○ Variables Definition:A factor that has a range of values. ○ Measure Definition:A method for describing a variable’s quantity. ○ Third variable Definition:A variable that is responsible for a observed between two other variables of interest. correlation ○ Experiment Definition:A research method that tests hypotheses and allows researchers to make conclusions about causality. ○ Independent variable Definition:An experimental variable controlled and manipulated by the experimenter; the “if A happens” part of a hypothesis ○ Dependent variable Definition:A measure that demonstrates the effects of an independent variable; the “result” part of a hypothesis ○ Control group Definition:A group that experiences all experimental procedures, with the exception of exposure to the independent variable. ○ Experimental group Definition:A group of participants who are exposed to the independent variable. ○ Random assignment Definition:The procedure in which each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group in an experiment ○ Confounding variables Definition:Variables that are irrelevant to the hypothesis being tested but can alter a researcher’s conclusions. ○ Operationalization Definition:Defining variables in ways that allow them to be measured. ○ Meta-analysis Definition:A statistical analysis of many previous experiments on a single topic. ○ Publication bias Definition:The possibility that published studies are not representative of all work done on a particular phenomenon. ○ Double-blind procedure Definition:A research design that controls for placebo effects in which neither the participant nor the experimenter observing the participant knows whether the participant was given an active substance or treatment or a placebo. ○ Placebo Definition:An inactive substance or treatment that cannot be distinguished from a real, active substance or treatment. ○ Cross-sectional Study Definition:An experimental design for assessing age-related changes in which data are obtained simultaneously from people of differing ages. ○ Longitudinal Study Definition:An experimental design for assessing age-related changes in which data are obtained from the same individuals at intervals over a long period of time. ○ Mixed Longitudinal Design Definition:A method for assessing age-related changes that combines the cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches by observing a cross-section of participants over a shorter period than is used typically in longitudinal studies. ○ Reliability Definition:The consistency of a measure, including test–retest, interrater, intermethod, and internal consistency. ○ Validity Definition:A quality of a measure that leads to correct conclusions (i.e., the measure evaluates the concept that it was designed to do). ○ Descriptive statistics Definition:Statistical methods that organize data into meaningful patterns and summaries, such as finding the average value. ○ Mean Definition:The numerical average of a set of scores. ○ Median Definition:The halfway mark in a set of data, with half of the scores above it and half below. ○ Mode Definition:The most frequently occurring score in a set of data ○ Standard deviation Definition:A measure of how tightly clustered around the mean a group of scores is ○ Normal Distribution Definition:A symmetrical probability function ○ Inferential statistics Definition:Statistical methods that allow experimenters to extend conclusions from samples to larger populations ○ Generalizations Definition:The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus (CS) ○ Null Hypothesis Definition:A hypothesis stating the default position that there is no real difference between two measures ○ Statistical Significance Definition:A standard for deciding whether an observed result is because of chance. ○ Informed Consent Definition:Permission obtained from a research participant after the risks and benefits of an experimental procedure have been thoroughly explained CH . 5 ○ Sensation Definition:The process of detecting environmental stimuli or stimuli arising from the body. ○ Perception Definition:The process of interpreting sensory information. ○ Transduction Definition:The translation of incoming sensory information into neural signals. ○ Sensory adaptation Definition:The tendency to pay less attention to a nonchanging source of stimulation. ○ Bottom – up processing Definition:Perception based on building simple input into more complex perceptions ○ Top – down processing Definition:A perceptual process in which memory and other cognitive processes are required for interpreting incoming sensory information ○ Psychophysics Definition:The study of relationships between the physical qualities of stimuli and the subjective responses they produce. ○ Absolute Threshold Definition:The smallest detected amount of stimulus that can be ○ Difference Threshold Definition:The smallest stimuli. detectable difference between two ○ Signal Detection Definition:The analysis of sensory and decision-making processes in the detection of faint, uncertain stimuli. ○ Vision Definition:The sense that allows us to process reflected light. ○ Cornea Definition:The clear surface at the front of the eye that begins the process of directing light to the retina. ○ Pupil Definition:An opening formed by the iris. ○ Iris Definition:The brightly colored circular muscle surrounding the pupil of the eye. ○ Lens Definition:The clear structure behind the pupil that bends light toward the retina. ○ Retina Definition:Layers of visual processing cells in the back of the eye ○ Fovea Definition:An area of the retina that is specialized for highly detailed vision. ○ Rods Definition:A photoreceptor specialized to detect dim light ○ Cones Definition:A photoreceptor in the retina that processes color and fine detail. ○ Optic nerve Definition:The nerve exiting the retina of the eye. ○ Optic tracts Definition:Nerve pathways traveling from the optic chiasm to the thalamus, hypothalamus, and midbrain. ○ Trichromantic Theory Definition:A theory of color vision based on the existence of different types of cones for the detection of short, medium, and long wavelengths ○ Opponent Process Theory Definition:A theory of color vision that suggests we have a red-green color channel and a blue-yellow color channel in which activation of one color in each pair inhibits the other color ○ Depth Perception Definition:The ability to use the two-dimensional projected on the retina to perceive three dimensions image ○ Monocular Cues Definition:A depth cue that requires the use of only one eye ○ Binocular Cues Definition:A depth cue that requires the use of both eyes ○ Retinal Disparity Definition:The difference between the images projected onto each eye ○ Audition Definition:The sense of hearing. ○ Cochlea Definition:The structure in the inner ear that contains auditory receptors. ○ Basilar Membrance Definition:Membrane in the cochlea on which the organ of Corti is located. ○ Organ of Corti Definition:A structure located on the basilar membrane that contains auditory receptors. ○ Auditory nerve Definition:The nerve carrying cochlea to the brain. sound information from the ○ Somatosensation Definition:The body senses, including body position, touch, skin temperature, and pain. ○ Vestibular system Definition:The system in the inner ear that provides information about body position and movement. ○ Gate Theory Definition:The theory that suggests that input from touch fibers competes with input from pain receptors, possibly preventing pain messages from reaching the brain. ○ Olfaction Definition:See alsoChemical senses ○ Gustation Definition:See alsoChemical senses ○ Olfactory nerve Definition:A nerve carrying olfactory information olfactory receptors to the olfactory bulbs. from the ○ Olfactory bulbs Definition:One of two structures below the frontal lobes of the brain that receive input from the olfactory receptors in the nose. ○ Papillae Definition:Small bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds. ○ Taste buds Definition:A structure found in papillae that contains taste receptor cells. CH. 1 1-1: What is psychology? Why is psychology a hub science? What is the mind? What is the difference between a behavior, mental process, and brain function? Why is instrospection not very valid for assessing the mind? 1-2 What are Psychology's Roots? What are psychology's two major roots? In what ways does psychology's main questions overlap with theirs? What example techniques does each root use? 1-2 How did the Science of Psychology Begin? Compare and contrast the differences between the original theories/views. You do NOT need to know names of psychologists. We come back to the important ones later in the semester. 1-4 What are the Psychological Perspectives? Compare and perspectives. contrast the different psychological Which perspectives would we combine to answer a specific question? For example, researching how the brain is involved in thoughts, attention, and memory would be cognitive + biological (cognitive neuroscience). 1-5 What does it Mean to be a Psychologist? What is required for someone to be able to call themselves a psychologist? What is required for a psychologist to teach at the community college, be a licensed therapist, be a psychiatrist, or teach/conduct research at universities? What are the differences between counseling, clinical, and school psychologists? CH. 2 2-1 What is Science? What is the difference between faith and science, objectivity, subjectivity, systematic observations, hit-or-miss observations, and confirmation bias? Why is it important to try to replicate an experiment? What are theories, predictions, and hypotheses? Why are they important? 2-2 How do Psychologists Conduct Research? What are the examples of descriptive methods and when would we use them? What is the population? difference between a sample and a What are variables? correlations, variables, measures, and third Be able to identify positive, negative, and zero correlations based on a verbal description, correlation statistic, or graph. Identify which of a given set of coefficients is strongest/weakest. What do correlations allow us to conclude? What do they NOT allow us to conclude? 2-2C Experimental Methods and Studying Effects of Time What are the differences dependent variables? between independent vs What are the differences between control, experimental, and placebo groups? Why is random assignment important? What are the types of confounding variables? What are some limitations of experiments? What is required procedure? for a blind versus a double-blind What are the 3 methods used to study the effects of time and how are they different? 2-3 How Do We Draw Conclusions from Data? What is the difference between reliability and validity? Why is each of them important? What are descriptive statistics? Understand the difference between measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), and become familiar with standard deviation and normal distributions. What is the difference between a frequency distribution, bar chart, and scatterplot? Be able to interpret what the figures depict. What are inferential statistics? What does it mean to “generalize” a finding? Why is this important? What is a null hypothesis and what do we mean when we say something has statistical significance? 2-4 How Can We Conduct Ethical Research? What is the difference between an IRB and an IACUC? What are incentives and informed consent? How is informed consent different for children or cognitively impaired people? What are the ethical rules for harm? When using deception in a study, how should psychologists inform participants of the study’s true purpose? What happened during the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment? Why is it unethical? What are the major rules regarding research using animals? CH. 5 What is the difference between sensation and perception, based on our course? Here is a video that helps differentiate the two if you find yourself. What is the role of transduction? What is the role of sensory adaptation and selective attention in sensation and perception? Which types of stimuli are likely to grab our attention? What is bottom-up processing vs. top-down processing? Be able to think of examples of each. What do we mean by absolute threshold? (you do NOT need to know the examples like the candle flame, just what we mean by this term) What is a difference threshold? What are the two steps involved in signal detection and what are the four possible outcomes? Vision: What do wavelength and amplitude translate to when we see color? You DO need to memorize the anatomy of the eye (bolded terms in book and slides: cornea, pupil, iris, etc.) What is the general purpose of rods vs. cones? What are the steps of the visual pathway? Have a general understanding of how we trichromatic theory vs opponent process theory see color: You do NOT need to know the section on "Recognizing Objects" and gratings What are the Gestalt principles of visual perception? How do the Ames Room and Ponzo Illusion do to skew our perception? What are the cues (monocular and binocular) that we use for visual depth perception? Audition (Hearing): What do the terms decibels and hertz refer to? What is the difference between ultrasound vs. infrasound? (you do NOT need to memorize the hz of each) You do NOT need to memorize the biology/anatomy of the ear (Cochlea, basilar membrane, organ of Corti, Auditory Nerve, etc.) How do we perceive loudness? How can we tell where (localization of sound) a sound is coming from? Somatosensory Stimuli - Focus only on these two questions, no need to memorize the other info in this section: What does the vestibular system do? How does the gate theory explain our perception of pain? Olfaction and Gustation- Focus only on this question, no need to memorize the other info in this section: What are papillae and how are they distributed on your tongue?
