Name:___________________________________
Block:______
Midterm Study Guide
Directions: In order to help you prepare for the midterm, you should be able to create a short outline for
each of the following topics. This means that you should know 1-2 studies that you could use to answer
questions on each topic.
A. Biological level of analysis
1. Hormones
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For 2 hormones you should know the function, and the result of having too much or too
little produced.
2. Neurotransmitters
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For 2 Neurotransmitters you should know the function, and the result of having too
much or too little produced
3. The Brain
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Brain Localization – what is it, how do we know this is a true phenomena
How the environment affects the brain – Brain plasticity
4. Genetics
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Intelligence and genetics
Nature or Nurture
5. Evolution
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Evolution and disgust
Evolution and spatial reasoning
6. Research
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How does modern technology allow us to study the brain
How is this different from the past
7. Principles of Biological Analysis and studies that would go with each of the three
B. Cognitive level of analysis
1. Models of Memory
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Give an example of how each model works, and a study to support
How are the models of memory examples of brain localization
2. Schemas
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What are schemas, how do we know we have them
How reliable are schemas
How does culture affect our schemas
3. Reliability of Memory
4. Flashbulb Memories
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How are they formed/ Why are they formed
5. How the environment can affect a cognitive process (Think Clive Wearing/ Culture and
Schemas)
6. How emotion affects a cognitive process
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LeDoux 2 Factor Theory
Flashbulb Memories
7. Learning
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Different ways children may learn
How culture affects the way in which we learn and remember information
8. Principles of Cognitive Analysis and studies that would go with each of the three
C. Socio-Cultural Analysis
1. Culture
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Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
Etic vs Emic
Cultural schemas
Cultural norms
Anthropologist Mead (1935) – three cultures in New Guinea (gender norms)
2. Attribution
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Types of attribution (situational vs dispositional)
Two errors in attribution (fundamental attribution error, self-serving bias, or modestybias)
3. Social Identity Theory
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Define the theory
Social categorization
In-group vs out-group
Tajfel’s Kandinsky and Klee
Sherif’s Robber’s Cave
4. Stereotyping
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5.
Moscovici – Social Representations
Reasons for stereotyping ( social categorization, grain of truth hypothesis, illusory
correlation, confirmation bias)
Results of stereotyping on the individual
Social Learning Theory
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Define the theory
Factors involved in social learning (attention, retention, motor reproduction,
motivation)
Factors of motivation (consistency, identification with model, reward/punishment, liking
the model)
Research on social learning
Social learning in real life – (Heusmann and Eron (1986) or Charlton, Gunter, Hannan
2002)
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Sabido method
6. Compliance
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Cialdini – compliance techniques
Focus on: Reciprocity: door-in-the-face
Focus on: Commitment: foot-in-the-door and low-balling
Focus on Authority: Milgram study
Compliance in real life – hazing
7. Conformity
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Asch paradigm
Criticisms of Asch (Friend et al, Moscovici and Lage, Hogg and Vaughan)
Sherif’s autokinetic effect (experiment done by having participants describe the
movement of a small light in a room)
Factors influencing conformity (Group size, unanimity, confidence, self-esteem, groupthink)
Cultural aspects of conformity
D. Abnormal Psychology
1. Concepts of normality and abnormality (Jahoda and Rosenhan and Seligman)
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Know the criteria for each
2. Evaluation of the mental health criteria
3. Diagnosis of psychological disorder
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How do we diagnose mental disorders in the United States
The ABCS of diagnosis
Validity and reliability of diagnosis (Rosenhan study)
Ethical considerations in diagnosis (stigmatization, self-fulfilling prophecy)
Bias in diagnosis (Racial/Ethnic, Confirmation bias)
Cultural considerations in diagnosis (culture bound syndromes, reporting bias, affective
vs somatic symptoms) – Use Hofestede’s cultural dimensions
How can doctors avoid cultural bias
4. Abnormal Disorder – Affective Disorder: Depression
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Etiology (Biological, Cognitive, and Socio-cultural)
Gender and cultural considerations/differences
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Treatment for each etiology
5. Anxiety Disorder: PTSD
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Etiology (Biological, Cognitive, and Socio-cultural)
Gender and cultural considerations/differences
Treatment for each etiology
6. Eating disorder: Bulimia
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Etiology (Biological, Cognitive, and Socio-cultural)
Gender and cultural considerations/differences
Treatment for each etiology
7. Treatment Options
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Cultural Considerations in treatment
Eclectic approaches
How to measure effectiveness of treatment
E. Psychology of Human Relationships
1. Pro-Social Behavior
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Biological causes of Altruism (Kin Selection : Dawkins, Madison/ Reciprocal: Axelrod and
Hamilton)
Psychological causes of Altruism (Lerner and Lichtman, Negative-State-Relief Model
Schaller and Cialdini/ Empathy-Altruism Model Batson Carol experiment)
Bystander Effect (Kitty-Genovese Case, Latane and Darley, Diffusion of Responsibility,
Pluralistic Ignorance, The Good Samaritan)
Arousal-Cost-Reward Model – the role it plays in a person’s decision to act altruistically
or as a bystander
How cultural and social norms play a role in a person acting as a bystander or
altruistically
2. Human Interpersonal Relationships
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Define relationships
Triangle of love Theory
Biological causes of attraction and attachment
Cognitive causes of attraction and attachment
Socio-cultural causes of attraction and attachment
Maintaining relationships (communication, different communication styles, what men
and women expect out of relationships)
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Why do relationships end or change
3. Violence
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What is violence
Biological causes of violence
Cognitive causes of violence
Socio-cultural causes of violence
Definition of bullying and causes of bullying
Effects of bullying on the individual
Ways to reduce or end bullying