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PSY 105 (Ryerson)
Perspectives in Psychology Midterm 1, Prep.
60
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
01/18/2017

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

What is Naive Realism?

How does this relate to perception?

Definition

It is the belief that we see the world exactly as it is

 

Perception may alter our opinions on certain things (ex// farther away, seems smaller or flipped images look diff.)

Naive realism can make our perception seem true to us.

Term
What is Psychology?
Definition
Scientific study of mind, brain and behaviour in an attempt to understand, predict and control human behaviour
Term
What is Introspection?
Definition

Why did I do that action?

Requires careful, reflection analysis

Term
What are the levels of analysis? (3)
Definition

1) Biological

2) Psychological

3) Social culture influence

Term
What are the challenges in Analysis? (5)
Definition

1) Behaviour hard to predict

2) Predictors are rarely independant (do something for alternate reasons)

3) People diff. from another

4) People influence one another

(peer pressure or Recipricol Determinism)

5) Behaviour is shape by culture (Emic vs. Etic)

Term

When should we test a theory or case?

 

What is the approach Science takes?

Definition

Always. Even if it is common sense it is better to still test it.

 

An approach to evidence.

Term
What is a theory?
Definition
A theory is a study of many events and it looks for diff.  testable arguments and evidence to make a sound conclusion.
Term

What is Psychological Psuedoscience?

 

What is confirmation bias?

 

What is belief preserverance?

Definition

It is a set of cliams but lack defenses from bias and belief.

 

It is when you seek evidence to only support your claim without looking for a counter-argument

 

It is our tendancy to stick to our beliefs even when there is evidence to contradict our belief.

Term
What are the warning signs for when someone is using PseudoScience? (7)
Definition

1) Exaggeration (It'll change your life!)

2) Reliance on anecdotes (Talk bout ppl/evnt, no research)

3) No link to other research

4) No peer reviews (we released it but no you can't see it)

5) No self-correction (similar to belief preserverence)

6) Psychobabble (Maximal overload, kind of like exaggeration)

7) "proof" not evidence (proof isn't used in Science)

Term
What is Apophenia?
Definition

It is meaningful connections among unrelated phenomena.

ex// Co-incedences or assuming steroetypes and trying to verify them

Term
What are the dangers of Pseudo Science? (3)
Definition

1) Oppourtunity cost - forgo scientific route

2) Direct harm - literally

3) Block scientific thinking - avoid realistic outcomes

Term

What is the opposite of Pseudo Science?

 

What is Scientific Skepticism?

Definition

The opposite is to think scientifically.

 

This means keeping an open mind when thinking scientifically.

Term
What are the principles of Critical Thinking (6)
Definition

1) Rule out other hypothesis (consider any alternates)

2) Correlation vs causation (did A cause B?)

3) Falsifability (can claim be disproven?)

4) Replicability (can we duplicate our results?)

5) Extraordinary claims (is evidence convincing or sound like it is made-up?)

6) Occam's Razor (is there a simpler explanation? - choose simpler over any other)

Term
What are the Core Tenets of Science? (2)
Definition

1) Universe operates according to certain laws

2) Laws are discoverable and testable

Term

What is a Scientific Theory?

 

What is a Hypothesis?

Definition

Explanation for the finding in the world

 

A testable prediction, which is what you think will happen

Term
Scientific Method Steps (6)
Definition

1) Identify important questions

2) Develop testable hypothesis

3) Select research methods/tools

4) Analyze data then accept/reject

5) Seek scientific reviews and then publish

6) Build a theory

Term

How to we measure a variable?

 

How must we prove our results?

Definition

We measure if X affects Y in a certain way by holding Z constant.

 

In order to prove the results we must do 2 tests, one with X and one without X

Term

What are the variables you can use? (2)

 

How should we measure results?

Definition

1) Independant variable (IV) - what you can change

2) Dependant variable (DV) - what you are measuring (can only change indirectly through X's behaviour)

 

Measure using averages, they are more reliable.

Term

What is Cognitive bias? What is it affected by?

 

What are Heuristics?

 

How do we avoid these two things?

Definition

Cognitive bias is what leads you to be confident in false conclusions - it is caused by heuristics

 

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that we have (ex// use pen and pencils the same way, talking to all friends the same way.)

 

Test very specific hypotheses.

Term
What are the Research Methods available to us? (2)
Definition

1) Descriptive - involves observation (can't indentify causes, can only see the results)

 

2) Experiemental - can see cause/effect relationships

Term
What are the goals of Psychologists when studying (4)
Definition

1) Descriptions

2) Explanations

3) Predictions

4) Control

Term
What is the basis behind Gestalt Psychology?
Definition
The field of psychology arguing that we have inborn tendencies to structure what we see in ways and perceptions.
Term

Provide some insight on what a Neuron is.

 

What are the elements of a Neuron? (5)

Definition

Neurons come in different shapes. there are approx. 86 billion. They communicate with each other in our bodies.

 

1) Cell body (soma) - centre of Neuron

2) Dendrite - branches to receive info

3) Axon - tails of Neuron that spread out and carry info

4) Axon terminal - end of Axon containing bags w/ Neurotransmitters (NT)

Synapse - space b/w Neurons where NTs travel

Term

What are Glial Cells?

 

What are the types? (2)

Definition

Glial cells are known for making myelin and strengthening the blood brain barrier. They fix injury, debris and enhance our learning.

 

1) Astrocytes - abundant, move and control

2) Oligodendrocytes - promote connect, makes myelin sheath have cells that act as insulators

Term

What is Resting and Action potential?

 

What is Neurotransmission?

Definition

Resting potential - when neuron is not being stimulated

 

Action potential - electrical pulse that travels down Axon (triggered by change in charges) in b/w is a refractory period.

 

It is when NTs are put into the right spots to relay info. Think of a key into a key hole.

Term
What are Glutamate and GABA?
Definition

Most common NTs

They are associated with learning and memory.

 

Glutamate is excitatory, increases change of communications, but it is dangerous to inhale it

 

GABA is inhibitory, dampens neural activity

Term
What is Acetylcholine
Definition

It influences arousal (physiological), selective attention, sleep and memory (CNS)

 

Also triggers movement (PNS)

Term

What are the types of Monoamines? (3)

What are the crucial roles?

 

What does each one do?

Definition

They are responsible for arousal, emotion and cognition.

 

1) Norepinephrine - arousal, mood hunger and sleep, flight or fight response - increases heart contractions

2) Dopamine - role in reward motivated behaviour, helps with decision making

3) Serotonin - regulates mood, appetite and sleep, also has cognitive functions. May have mixed feelings if low #. (Depression)

Term

What are Endorphins?

 

What are Anandymenes?

Definition

Endorphins inhibit transmit pain signals, you may get euphoria from them.

 

Anadymenes influence eating, motivation, memory and sleep. (drug abuse person vs. production person)

Term
What is the purpose of Psychoactive drugs?
Definition

To target NTs and either increase the amount or decrease, opiates mimc endorphins to increase

antagoninst decrease activity

Term
What are the ways of having Neural Plasticity, the ability to change occur? (4)
Definition

1) Growth of dendrites/axons

2) Synaptogenisis (brain growth, mainly for youth)

3) Pruning (Killing some cells and making new)

4) Myelination (insulation)

Term

What is CNS and PNS?

 

What is the Forebrain?

Definition

CNS is the central nervous system - your brain and spine

PNS is the peripheral nervous system which are your other nerves aside from the brain and spine

 

The forebrain is used for your intellectual abilities, it has two cerebral hemispheres which allow communication. It is also connected by corpus callosum.

Term
What are the different types of Lobes? (4)
Definition

1) Frontal lobe - most brain functions (motor, language, memory), has Broca's area for speech assistance

2) Pariental lobe - used for touch and perception

3) Occipital lobe - used for vision

4) Temporal lobe - used for hearing and understanding. Has auditory cortex and Wernicke's area

Term
How does the brain interpret actions and information? Which lobes internalize first?
Definition
It follow a cortical hierarchy where the action or info is passed to the part of the brain that deals with that sense, it is then passed to any associated parts of the brain.
Term
What elements do the two hemispheres of the brain focus on?
Definition

1) Left - Fine tuned speech and action skills

2) Right - Basic speech, visuospatial skills

Term

What are some of the parts of the limbic system? (4)

 

Definition

1) Hypothalmus - controls internal bodily states

2) Thalmus - relays information b/w sensory organs and cortex

3) Amygdala - has a key role in emotions (fear, arousal and motivation)

4) Hippocampus - crucial role is spatial memory

 

 

Term

Which brain part allows you to function in a vegetative state?

 

What are some parts or systems it uses? (2)

Definition

Brain stem - back of brain, has basic functions

 

1) Reticular activating system - connect forebrain and cerebral cortex

 

2) Midbrain - tracks movement visually and reflexes

Term
What are the functions and parts of the Hindbrain? (3)
Definition

1) Cerebellum - affects sense of balance and co-ordinated movement

2) Pons - triggers dreams

3) Medulla - regulates heartbeats and breathing

Term

What does the Spinal Cord do?

 

What kinds of nerves does it have? (3)

Definition

It contains a thick bundle of nerves which convey info from brain to body

 

1) Sensory nerves - info body -> brain

2) Motor nerves - info brain -> body

3) Interneurons - allow reflexes

Term

What are the nerves not located in the CNS? (2)

 

What are the types of division for the second nervous system? (2)

Definition

1) Somatic - a nervous system that conveys info from CNS to muscles and body to control voluntary movements

 

 

2) Autonomic - nervous system that controls involuntary actions and our organs

 

1) Sympathetic - used when crisis or other bad situation

2) Parasympathetic - controls rest and digestion

*Only one may be active at a time

Term
What is Psychophysics?
Definition
Study of how physical stimuli are translated into psychological experience
Term
What is our Sensation? What is it composed of? (5)
Definition

It is our detection of physical energy

 

1) Sight

2) Smell

3) Hearing

4) Taste

5) Touch

Term
What is Transduction?
Definition

It is the process of converting stimulus into electrical signals within neurons

 

When we are transduced our brain pieces together information found to give meaning and relate it to past encounters.

Term
What is Perception?
Definition
It is the brain's interpretation of raw sensory data
Term

How does the Sensation process occur in regards to Psychophysics? 

 

What did Gustav Fechner question about Sensation?

Definition

It begins with a detectable stimulus.

However before this, you need to determine who or what is doing the detecting.

 

He questioned what the weakest detectable stimulus is.

Term
What are some of the basic concepts of Sensation after the detectable stimulus? (4)
Definition

1) Threshold is the dividing point b/w energy w/o detecting a change in effect. Absolute threshold is the stimulus intensity that can be detected 50% of the time

 

2) Just notice difference (Jnd) - the smallest difference in the # of stimulation that a specific sense can detect

 

3) Weber's law - the Jnd size is proportional to the stimulus intensity size

 

4) Fechner's law - the magnitude of perception is proportional to the # of Jnds that the stimulus is above the Absolute threshold

Term
What are the possible outcomes of the Signal Detection Theory concerning the conditions vs. the person's response? (4)
Definition

1) Two presents is a hit (true positive)

2) Two absents is a correct reject (true negative)

3) Absent response and present condition is a miss

(false positive)

4) Absent condition and present response is a false alarm 

(false positive)

Term

What is Cross-modal sense?

 

What are Phosphenes?

Definition

Our experiences are determined by the sense receptor.

Any sense can activate the sense receptor but our reaction will always be the same

 

Phosphenes are vivid sensations of light created by rubbing your eyes

Term

What is the McGurk effect?

 

What is Synesthesia?

Definition

When the audio component of someone is linked with the visual component of another sound. (ex// Reading lips)

 

A condition in which people experience cross-modal sensations

(ex// different colours with different proportions of words)

Term

What is Parallel processing?

 

What are the types? (2)

 

Definition

The ability to use multiple senses are once

 

1) Bottom-up - first time learning to start recognizing form

 

2) Top-down - emphasized by Gestalt, involves having a lot of practice and being able to skim through

 

Term

What do the Gestalt Principles emphasize?

 

What are the actual principles? (5)

Definition

Gestalt Principles - We perceive objects as wholes

(ex// group together red colours)

 

1) Similarity (similar aspects)

2) Continuity (what you think is there)

3) Closure (mind tries close lines ex// moon behind cloud)

4) Symmetry

5) Figure-ground (darker = closer)

Term
What is an Illusion?
Definition
It is the distortion of our senses revealing how the brain normally functions
Term

What are the main thoughts behind the Perceptual set theory? (3)

 

What is Perceptual Constancy?

Definition

1) Expectations influence our perception

2) Perception should be an active process

3) May notice only some sensory aspects, ignore other

 

The idea that the process by which we perceive stimuli is consistent in any condition

Term
What is Form Perception?
Definition

It is when sets can demonstrate same visual stimulus but very different results

(ex// 13 and B look similar when written down on paper)

 

Term

What is a Reversible figure?

 

What is the Role of Attention?

Definition

It is an optical illusion that creates an unstable visual perception, it can have different meanings based on the context.

 

It is based on focus, there is selective attention for emphasizing some sensory inputs, other sensory inputs are processed at a lower level

Term

What is Inattention blindness?

 

What is change blindness?

Definition

The inability to notice the changes in environment due to selective attention

 

The inability to notice the obvious changes in environment

 

Term

What are Optical illusions?

 

What is Depth Perception and what cues does it have? (2)

Definition

A discrepancy between visual appearance and physical reality.

 

Depth perception is the ability to judge distance and three-dimension relations. This ability grows with age

(ex// Visual cliff)

 

1) Monocular depth size - rely on one eye

2) Binocular depth size - rely on both eyes

Term
What are some of the key aspects of the cues that are related to Depth Perception? (6) (2)
Definition

Monocular Depth Cue

1) Relative size

2) Texture

3) Interposition

4) Linear perspective

5) Height in plane

6) Light/shadow

 

Binocular Depth Cue

1) Binocular disparity

2) Binocular convergence

Term
What is Illusory motion?
Definition
It is known as a motion illusion, it is an illusion that has a static image that appears to be moving.
Term
What is Pareidolia?
Definition
When you see meaningful images in meaningless visual stimuli
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