Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Midterm chap 1-6
n/a
92
Psychology
Undergraduate 3
03/24/2012

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Case Study
Definition
A scientific study that focuses on a single participant, examining his or her psychological characteristics in detail
Term
Debriefing
Definition
an interview after a study to ensure that the participant has no negative reactions as a result of participation and to explain why the study was conducted
Term
Control Group
Definition
a group that is treated exactly the same way as the experimental group, expect that the independent variable that is the focus of the study in not manipulated. the control group holds constant
Term
hypothesis
Definition
a tentative idea that might explain a set of observations
Term
meta-analysis
Definition
a statistical technique that allows researchers to combine results from different studies on the same topic in order to discover whether there is a relationship among variables
Term
operational definition
Definition
a definition of a concept that specifies how it is measured or manipulated
Term
reliability
Definition
consistency; data are reliable if the same values are obtained when the measurements are repeated.
Term
validity
Definition
a research method is valid if it does in fact measure what it is supposed to measure
Term
cortisol
Definition
a hormone produced by the outer layer of the adrenal glands that helps the body cope with the extra energy demands of stress
Term
gene
Definition
a stretch in the DNA molecule that produces a specific protein
Term
genotype
Definition
the genetic code within an organism
Term
heritability
Definition
the degree to which the variability of a characteristic or ability in a population is due to genetics/ given a specific environment
Term
phenotype
Definition
the observable structure and behavior of an organism
Term
monozygotic
Definition
from the same egg and having virtually identical eggs
Term
selective serotonin-re uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Definition
a type of antidepressant medication that blocks re uptake of serotonin only at selective serotonic receptors
Term
Accomodation
Definition
the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at particular distances, which occurs when muscles adjust the shape of the lens so that it focuses incoming light toward the back of the eye (the retina)
Term
cocktail party - phenomenon
Definition
the effect of not being aware of other peoples conversations until your name is mentioned and then suddenly hearing it
Term
hair cells
Definition
the receptor cells with stiff hairs along the basilar membrane of the inner ear; when hairs are moved they produce neural signals that are sent to the brain and underlie auditory sensation
Term
perception
Definition
the result of neural processes that organize (by specifying a particular shape) an interpret (by identifying the object) information conveyed by sensory signals. EX. someone coming up and pinching your skin, the perception is you realizing the pain it is causing to you.
Term
sensation
Definition
the result of neural responses that occur after physical energy stimulates a receptor cell (such as those at the back of the eye in the ear on the skin) but before the stimulus is organized and interpreted by the brain
EX: Someone coming up and pinching you the pinch of the skin is the sensation
Term
Retrograde
Definition
amnesia that disrupts previous memories. EXAMPLE (the patient cannot recall ANY information which is stored in the memory before the illness or brain injury began.)
Term
shape constancy
Definition
the perception that the actual shape of an object remains the same, even when it is seen from different points of view and so the image on the retina changes shape
Term
threshold
Definition
the point at which stimuli activate receptor cells strongly enough to be sensed
Term
weber's law
Definition
the rule that the same percentage of a magnitude must be present in order to detect a difference between two stimuli or a change in a single stimulus
Term
law of effect
Definition
Actions that subsequently lead to a (satisfying state of affairs) are more likely to be repeated
Term
food aversion (taste aversion)
Definition
a classically conditioned avoidance of a certain food or taste
Term
extinction (in classical conditioning)
Definition
the process by which a CR comes to be eliminated through repeated presentations of the CS without the presence of the US
Term
acquisition
Definition
in classical conditioning the initial learning of the conditioned response (CR)
Term
consolidation
Definition
the process of converting information stored dynamically in LTM into a structural change in the brain.
Term
encoding
Definition
the process of organizing and transforming incoming information so that it can be entered into memory either to be stored or compared with previously stored info
Term
antergrade amnesia
Definition
amnesia that leaves consolidated memories intact but prevents the storing of new facts (a motorcyclist that is able to remember everything up until his head injury from his accident. Then he cannot make new memories or even remember getting on his bike to go for a ride.)
Term
mnemonic devices
Definition
strategies that improve memory, typically by effectively organizing and integrating to-be- learned information
Term
semantic memories
Definition
memories of the meaning of words, concepts, and general facts about the world.
Term
concept
Definition
the idea that underlies the meaning of a word or image. depending on the language some concepts can be expressed with a single word or may require a phrase or two to be fully expressed
Term
down syndrome
Definition
the type of mental retardation that results from the creation of an extra chromosome during conception; it is a gentic problem but not inherited
Term
fluid intelligence
Definition
according to cattell and horn, the kind of intelligence that underlies the creation of novel solutions to problems
Term
norming
Definition
the process of setting the mean and the standard deviation of a set of test scores,based on results from a standarized sample.
Term
phonology
Definition
the structure of the sounds of the words in a language
Term
2 examples of Organization
Definition
Mnemonic devices- Acronyms-pronounceable words made from the first letters of important words in a phrase to help you remember an order,sequence, or rule. George Elliot's oldest girl rode a pig home yesterday GEOGRAPHY.
Term
2 examples of organization
Definition
Distribute practice- you have 5 days to study for a test you only study for 60 minutes a night. by spreading your days out and studying for short sessions you are able to obtain and retain more information.
Term
4 components of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
Definition
Verbal Comprehension- assesses the test takers understanding of verbal info
Perceptual Reasoning-assess the test takers ability to hold and manipulate info in working memory
Working Memory-assess the test takers ability to hold and manipulate info in working memory
Processing Speed- assess the test takers ability to focus his or her attention and use info quickly
Term
Long term memory
Definition
a memory store that holds a huge amount of info for a long time.
Term
Short term memory
Definition
also called immediate memory- a memory store that holds little info for only a few seconds.
Term
Encoding
Definition
the process of organizing and transforming incoming info so that it can be entered into the memory, either to be stored or to be compared with previously stored into.
Term
Storage
Definition
the process of retaining info in memory
Term
retrieval
Definition
the process of accessing info stored in a memory
Term
flashbulb memory
Definition
an unusually vivid and detailed memory of a dramatic event. Example: when the terrorist attack of 9/11 happened I can remember where I was at the time, what I was doing, and what I was wearing.
Term
Habituation
Definition
non associative learning- occurs when repeated exposure to a stimulus decreases responsiveness to that stimulus. EX: when people work in warehouses they are used to the loud noises from hearing boxes and crates all day long. so when they hear something loud drop and hit the ground they no long respond by looking.
Term
Bilingualism
Definition
being able to speak a second or muiliple languages other then your native language.
Term
language production
Definition
the ability to use words,phrases, and sentences to convey information
Term
languate comprehension
Definition
the ability to understand messages conveyed by words, phrases, and sentences
Term
Heuristic
Definition
a rule of thumb strategy that does not guarantee the correct solution to a problem but offers a likely shortcut to it. ex math. divide a big problem into small poblems and solve each of them one at a time until you reach a solution
Term
Using an analogy
Definition
A type of heuristic that relies on finding points of correspondence with previously solved problems and their solutions. EX. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree
Term
Algorithms
Definition
Series of steps that is guaranteed to produce a solution. EX. using the rule and steps to finding the mean of a set of data
Term
Classical conditioning
Definition
type of learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes paired with a stimulus that caused a reflexive behavior, and in time this neutral stimulus is sufficient to elicit - draw out from the animal - that behavior
Term
unconditioned stimulus US
Definition
a stimulus that elicits an automatic response without requiring prior learning
Term
Conditioned Stimulus CS
Definition
An orignally neutral stimulus that comes to produce a response evoked bt a US after it has been paired enough times with that US
Term
Conditioned Response CR
Definition
a response that depends (is conditinal) on pairing the conditioned stimulus with an unconditional stimulus ; once learned,the response to the US now occurs when the conditioned stimuls is presented alone.
Term
operant conditioning
Definition
the process by which a stimulus and response become associated with the consequences of making the response
Term
Reinforcer
Definition
an object or event that when it follows a response, increases the likelihood that the animial will make that response again when the stimulus is prevented. EX. a stickerchart of chores. when the child completes a chore he is awared with a sticker to place on the chart. the reinforcer is the sticker.
Term
SIMILARITY OF CLASSICAL CONDITIONING & operant conditioning
Definition
Moderating factors can affect learning
Term
DIFFERENCE OF CLASSICAL CONDITIONING & operant conditioning
Definition
in classical conditioning the animal is passive in operant conditioning the animal is active, "operaing" on the world.
Term
Pupil
Definition
the opening in the eye through which light passes
Term
Iris
Definition
the circular muscle that adjusts the size of the pupil
Term
cornaea
Definition
The transparent covering over the eye which focuses light onto the back of the eye.
Term
retina
Definition
a sheet of tissue at the back of the eye containing cells that convert light to neural signals
Term
rods
Definition
rod shaped retinal receptor cells that are very sensive to light but register only shades of gray
Term
cones
Definition
cone shaped retinal receptor cells that respond most strongly to one of three wavelenghts of light. the combined signals from ones that are most sensitive to different wavelenghts play a key role in producing color vision
Term
optic nerve
Definition
large bundle of axons carrying neural signals from the retina into the brain
Term
Visual perception
Definition
EX. driving up to an interceptiong and you see a red shape on a stick, you realize it is a stop sign so you stop your car.
Term
How does the ear play a part in perception and sensation?
Definition
you are able to hear soundwaves and idenify them. you hear a fire alarm go off your ear hairs are stimulated by the soundwaves. your brain realizes you are hearing a loud noise and identifies what that loud noise is.
Term
three parts of the ear
Definition
outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
Term
dopamine
Definition
motivation, reward, movement, thought learning. disorder symptom- parkisons disease, ADHD, Aggression
Term
serotonin
Definition
OCD, INSOMNIA. LACK OF MOTIVATION, SLEEPINESS
Term
central nervous system
Definition
the spinal cored and the brain
Term
Parasympathetic nervous system
Definition
part of the automonic nervous system that is "next to" the sympathetic nervous system and tents to counteract with its effects
Term
frontal lobe in brain
Definition
located behind the forehead. involved in planning, memory search, motor control, speech control, reasoning and emotions.
Term
testosterone
Definition
hormone that causes males to develop facial hair and other external sexual charactisitcs and to build up muscle volume
Term
estrogen
Definition
hormone that causes girls to develop breats and is involved in the menstrual cycle
Term
sympathetic nervous system
Definition
part of the autonomic nervous system that readies an animal to cope with an emergency such as a near accident or when you are driving in heavy traffic
Term
Sensory-Somatic nervous system
Definition
parts of the peripheral nervous system that consits of neurons in the sensory organs (like eyes and ears) that covey info to the brain as well as the neurons that actually trigger muscles and glands
Term
neurons
Definition
a cell receives signals from sense organs or other neurons processes these signals and sends the signals to muscles, organs or other neurons the bais unit of the nercous system.
Term
sensory neurons
Definition
a neuron that resonds to signals from sensory organs and transmits those signals to the brain and spinal cord
Term
motor neurons
Definition
a neuron that sends signals to muscles in order to control movement
Term
interneurons
Definition
a neuron that is connected to other neuron, not to sense organs or muscles
Term
MRI
Definition
magnetic resonance imaging= a technique that uses magnetic properties of atoms to take sharp images of three dimensional structure of the brain.
Term
psychology
Definition
the science of mind and behavior, derived from physiology and philosophy
Term
structuralism
Definition
the school of psychology that sought to identify the basic elements of consciousness and to describe the rules and circumstances under which these elements combine to form mental structures
Term
functionalism
Definition
the school of psychology that sought to understand how the mind helps individuals to adapt to the world around them and to function effectively in it.
Term
cognitive psychology
Definition
the approach in psychology that attempts to characterize the mental events that allow information to be stored and operated on internally.
Term
Educational or school psychologist
Definition
applies psychology to improve cognitive, emotional, and social development of school children
Term
sports psychologist
Definition
applies psychology to improve athletic performance.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!