Study Guide Unit 1 Exam For Psychology Covering 7 Chs PDF

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Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

Study Guide Unit Exam #1 *Your exam will have 70 MC questions and covers chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7* *The exam is in class at your regular time and room* Psychology: the science of behavior and mental processes “Psyche”=mind “logo”=the study of Focuses on much more normal rather than abnormal behavior 1. The Mind-Body Issue: Rene Descartes - are the mind and the body separate entities of one in the same? 2. Nativist View: what are we born with, are we born as a blank slate, what is true nature 3. Darwin: how and why did our species evolve to be modern day humans 4. Nature vs Nurture: how much of our behavior/psychology comes from our biology and how much comes from our surroundings ➢ Be familiar with the various modern viewpoints in psychology (including names of psychologists associated with each viewpoint) 1. Biological - how the body influences behavior, thoughts and feelings, nervous system, brain chemicals, hormones, genetics, evolutionary psychology, how our adaptive evolution affects us today 2. Learning/Behaviorism: how environment and experience affect behavior, behaviorism = what we can see, reinforcement and punishment, behavior modification 3. Cognitive: how thoughts affect behavior, feelings, reasoning, memory, intelligence, beliefs, thoughts 4. Sociocultural: how social and cultural influences affect thoughts, feelings, behavior, most underestimate the power of culture and society 5. Psychodynamic: how unconscious conflicts, inner forces affect behavior, though and feelings, Freud, family of origin/childhood issues 6. Humanistic: how to create a fulfilled life, 1960s, free will and choices, be all that you can be, be your best, “positive psychology” - Basic Psychology: research and publish - Applied Psychology: finding practical uses for the research ➢ Distinguish between structuralism and functionalism (i.e., first laboratories in psychology) - Structuralism (Wundt and Titchener) analyzed sensations, image and feelings into basic elements, introspection: looking inward to describe experiences

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

- Functionalists (James and Calkins) analyzed the function or purpose of behavior, Darwin influenced - Wilhelm Wundt founded first psych lab in 1879 at University of Leipzig in Germany (began as research assistant to Helmholtz) wrote first textbook in psych - Leipzig was world center for psych for next decade - G. Stanley Hall (one of students) founded first US psych lab in USA at John Hopkins un 1883 and founded American Psychological Association (APA) in 1892 ➢ Be familiar with the various types of psychologists (including the difference btw a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist) - Clinical psychologist: PhD prepared, 5-7 years beyond Bachelor’s degree, cannot prescribe medication, no medical school - Psychiatrist: attended medical school, completed special rotations in psychiatry, can prescribe medications to treat mental disorders (med #1 treatment) - Experimental Psychologist: focus on laboratory studies of various topics, researchers - Educational Psychologist: research ways to improve educational systems K-12 - Developmental Psychologist: how we grow and change throughout a lifespan, children, aging - Industrial/Organizational Psychologist: heavier in the workplace, effective business practices, highest paid area - Psychometric Psychologist: design and evaluate tests, interest, personality, IQ, work with SAT and ACT test - School Psychologist: works with parents, teachers students to solve issues, with masters degree considered psychologist - Clinical Psychologist: focus on understanding and treating emotional problems, abnormal or dysfunctional heavier, largest area of psychology - Counseling Psychologist: focus on helping people with adjustment problems and helping people make career choices •

Understand what it means to operationally define a variable

- Operational Definition: how what is in question will be measured, defining a term from the hypothesis in a measurable way •

Distinguish among the various types of descriptive studies discussed in class

1. Case Study: detailed account of an individual being studied, rare, there is a point of no return (13-year-old neglected)

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

2. Observational Studies: naturalistic observation (Jane Goodall observing Chimpanzees in natural habitat, observers at playground watching children and mothers), laboratory observation (observing a martial discussion in a laboratory) 3. Tests (assessments)1. Standardized – uniform procedures for giving ad scoring tests 2. Norms – established standards of high/low scores 3. Reliability – same/similar results each time 4. Validity – is the test measuring what it intends to measure? 4. Surveys: (self–report) asking people to report on their behavior/attitudes, widely used psychology, gather lots of information quickly 5. Problems with surveys: people lie/distort/have poor self-knowledge, phrasing of questions can skew results, volunteer bias (those who volunteer to take surveys might be different from general population) •

Understand how both correlational research and experimental research is conducted (understand all the key terms related to both…i.e., IV, DV, correlation coefficient etc.)

• Experiment: the researcher manipulates one variable to study its effect on another variable • Independent Variable (IV): the variable that is controlled or manipulated • Dependent Variable (DV): the variable that is being measured (to see what effect the IV had had) • Experimental Group: the group that receives the independent variable • Control Group (the comparison group): the group that is not exposed to the IV (used to compare to the experimental group) • Random Assignment: putting research participants into control and experimental groups randomly • Placebo: a fake treatment or inactive substance • Placebo effect - taking placebo pill that does nothing but still getting better, Experimenter Effects: when a researcher unintentionally effect the results • Double-blind Study: neither the researcher nor the participants know who is in the experimental group who is in the control group •

Understand how to interpret a correlation coefficient

• Correlation Coefficient: a number that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables – Correlation coefficient can range from -1.0 to +1.0 – A correlation coefficient of zero means there is NO relationship between the variables – Anything more or less than 0 is strong relationship • Positive Correlation: when variables move in the same direction (Ex. When one variable goes up, the other goes up OR when one variable goes down, the other goes down - better relationship child has with parents, better child does in school) • Negative Correlation: when variables move in the opposite direction (Ex. When one goes up, the

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

other goes down - when arguments increase the marital satisfaction decreases) ➢ Distinguish between the various parts of the nervous system and how they function - Central Nervous System (CNS): the brain and spinal cord - Peripheral Nervous System: nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body Two subdivisions of Peripheral NS are… 1. Somatic NS: nerves under conscious control (motor movements, sense receptors) 2. Autonomic NS: controls involuntary actions (hearts, glands, digestion) - happens automatically *breathing falls under both categories* Two subdivisions of the Autonomic NS are… 1. Sympathetic NS: activates internal organs during times of stress and danger/arousal (activates the fight or flight response) fight or flight response 2. Parasympathic NS: reverse the affects of the sympathetic nervous system (returns body back to normal) digests food The Nervous System Picture: eyes dilate to improve vision, heartbeat rises and breathing gets faster to pump energy and strength to the strong muscles, bladder lessens (not on your mind), mouth waters because digestive system slows down, grizzly bear example, simple things trip this system (more than necessary) ➢ Know the parts of the neuron and what each part does Neuron: A specialized cell that conducts impulses through the nervous system and contains three major parts: 1. a cell body 2. dendrites (receive messages) 3. axon (sends messages), terminal button: nub at the end of axon 4. Synapse: space between neurons - Synaptic Vesicles: contain neurotransmitters - Neurotransmitters: chemical that contains the message - Receptor sites: receives neurotransmitters ➢ Be familiar with various neurotransmitters and what functions they impact Depression drug: Prozac S elective S erotonin R euptake I nhibitor - Imbalances of Acetylcholine are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. - Imbalances of Serotonin are linked to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. - Imbalances of Dopamine are linked to Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s Disease. ➢ Be familiar with the areas of the brain including the lobes of the cortex, the limbic system, and the brainstem

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

The Brain Stem (the Hindbrain): 1. Medulla - controls vital automatic functions (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure) - reflexes such as coughing, vomiting and sneezing 2. Pons - coordinates movement and sleep 2. Reticular formation - general alertness, consciousness 3. Cerebellum - “little brain” controls complex motor movements Top of Brainstem Thalamus - relay station for all information sensory messages (except smell) - directs messages from higher brain to brain stem 2. The Limbic System (Mid-Brain) Collection of brain structures that account for emotional expression, memory and motivation 1) Amygdala: responsible for intense emotional responses like fear, also links emotion to memories, must have fear 2) Hypothalamus: regulates hunger, thirst, sexual behavior/drive, emotional behavior, internal body temperature and other body functions 3) Hippocampus: stores new memories, gives us out “internal map”, navigational skills, moves short term memory to long term Cerebral Cortex (gray matter) - higher mental processes of language, memory and thinking - four different lobes 1. Frontal Lobes Motor area: control voluntary movements Broca’s area: our ability to speak language Frontal Association areas: thinking, planning, reasoning, impulse control Phineas Gage: (ex) 2. Parietal Lobes Somatosensory area: touch, pressure and pain sensors; awareness of body placements 3. Temperal Lobes Primary auditory cortex: hearing Wernick’s area: ability to understand language 4. Occipital Lobes Primary visual cortex: sight The Divided Brain - Cerebral Hemispheres - Controls movement and feelings on opposite sides of the body - Corpus Callosum - Nerve fibers connecting two hemispheres - Transfers information and synchronizes activity between hemispheres

Psych 100

Prof LeBreton

➢ Understand the process of neural communication •

Know all of the stages of sleep (both REM and non-REM) including brain waves associated with each stage

Non-REM Sleep Cycles (about 1.5 hours total) • Stage 1: lightest sleep, “hypnogogic” state (myoclonia - startle awake, feeling of falling), theta waves occur, about 20 minutes • Stage 2: somewhat, more deeply asleep (mid-sleep), sleep spindles occur, K Complex occurs, first half of stages is about 30 minutes • Stage 3: deep sleep, delta waves 20% = slow wave/deep sleep begins, heart and breathing slow and regular • Stage 4: deepest sleep, delta waves reach nearly 100%, blood pressure and brain activity at lowest points in 14 hour period REM Sleep (about 1/4 of night, 3 hours is 1 REM cycle, when sleep deprived body catches up on REM sleep) • Rapid Eye Movement sleep - called “active sleep”, “paradoxical sleep”, “dream sleep” - 20-25% of a night’s sleep • Internally: - intense brain activity - brain temperature rises rapidly - epinephrine release leads to increases in blood pressure, heart rate and respiration • Externally: - body appears calm - large muscles become paralyzed - eyes dart around - dreaming occurs in 80% of people During REM sleep, the brain conducts:

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

- consolidation of learning and memory (all night studying doesn't help) - perceptual or motor skills increase after 8-10 hours of sleep - The true function of REM sleep is a mystery. •

Be familiar with parasomnias and sleep disorders

Sleep Phenomena – Parasomnias (more likely to occur when stressed) • Somnambulism (sleepwalking) - occurs during partial arousal from stage 4 sleep • Sleep terror - happens during partial arousal from stage 4 NONREM sleep - usually begins with piercing scream • Nightmares - are frightening dreams that occur during REM sleep • Somniloquy (sleeptalking) - occurs during any sleep stage, more frequent in children Major Sleep Disorders • Narcolepsy - an incurable sleep disorder - characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable attacks of REM sleep • Sleep apnea - periods during sleep when breathing stops - individual must awaken briefly in order to breathe • Insomnia - difficulty falling or staying asleep - waking too early - sleep that is light, restless, or of poor quality •

Be familiar with the different categories of psychoactive drugs

Psychoactive Drugs: any substance that alters mood, perception or thought People take drugs to: - relieve pain/discomfort - after consciousness - psychological escape - recreation/fun Types of Drugs Stimulants: speed up Central Nervous System - Low-Moderate Levels: excited, confident, euphoric - High Levels: anxious, jittery, hyper - Overdose: convulsions, heart failure, death - Common “uppers”: caffeine, meth, cocaine, nicotine, speed, crack, crank Depressants: slow down the CNS - Low-Moderate Levels: calm, drowsy, reduced anxiety and inhibitions - High Levels: insensitivity to pain and other senses

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

- Overdose: irregular heartbeat, death - Common “downers”: alcohol, valium, xanax Opiate: pain relievers • Derived from the “poppy” plant • Mimics the body’s endorphins • Effects vary: euphoria, reduced anxiety • Common “pain killers”: opium, heroine, methadone Hallucinogens - Reactions vary: sometimes pleasant, sometimes not - Some produce visual hallucinations (LSD, Mushrooms, peyote) Marijuana: does not fit neatly into any of the classes of drugs- Most commonly used illicit drug in North America and Europe - Some stimulating effects (euphoria), also has relaxing effect - Can make sensations more intense (psychedelic effect) - Too Much: can interfere with memory, coordination, concentration and reaction times • Be familiar with hypnosis and meditation ➢ Understand the basics of genetics and behavioral genetics ▪Genes: basic units of heredity; coded instructions to carry out genetic characteristics ▪Chromosomes: carry out our genes - mom = egg = 23 chromosome - dad = sperm = 23 chromosomes - 46 total chromosomes - XY male, XX female - female is default gender - 3 of the 21st chromosome is Down Syndrome ▪Pairs of chromosomes: • Dominant – Dominant = Dominant trait expressed • Dominant – Recessive = Dominant trait expressed (can carry Recessive) • Recessive – Recessive = Recessive trait expressed ▪Caution: most human traits are influenced by more than one gene ▪Behavioral Genetics: the study of the relative contributions of genes and environment on behavior ➢ Understand twin studies and adoption studies and why they are used Twin Studies ▪Monozygotic Twins: formed from one egg and one sperm that splits (identical) ▪Dizygotic Twins: formed by two separate eggs and two separate sperm (fraternal) Adoption Studies ▪Compare correlations of traits of the adopted children with their biological parents and their adopted parents ▪If correlation is higher with the biological parents, it suggests heritability ▪Height vs. Table manners ▪ IQ more similar to biological parents

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

Intelligence ▪Inherited? Meta-analysis twins reared both apart and together (Bouchard & McGue, 1982) • Correlation rates for Intelligence: • Monozygotic twins = 86% • Dizygotic twins = 60% • Siblings = 46% (contrast fraternal twins because of timing of being raised) • Unrelated = 0% ▪Shows STRONG genetic link ▪Most between 85 and 115 IQ Schizophrenia (generally get it before age 25) ▪Inherited? Meta-analysis of twins reared both apart and together ▪Concordance Rate: probability that a pair of twins will both have this trait • Correlation rates for Schizophrenia: if one gets it, the % chance the other will • Monozygotic twins = 48% • Dizygotic twins = 10% • Siblings = 10% • Adoption = those born by schizophrenic mothers, but not raised by them still had 10% risk • Suggests a definite genetic link for schizophrenia Homosexuality • Inherited? One study (Bailey & Pillard, 1991) • Identical Twin Males: 52% concordance (56 gay men with identical twin) • Fraternal Twin Males: 22% concordance (54 gay men with fraternal twin • Unrelated Males raised in same house: 10% • Study was replicated (with a range of heritability in identical twins from .2-.66) • Shows a definite genetic link ▪Psychological Disorders Linked to Genetics ➢ Define heritability ▪Heritability: statistical measure of how much genes explain the observed variance in people for that specific trait - intelligence: innate capacity/ability for learning • -

Be familiar with the stages of prenatal development

Germinal Stage: (2 weeks) conception, cell division, and uterine implantation, not positive test yet Embryonic Stage: (2-8 weeks post conception) major organs are formed, 5 weeks heart beat, 8 weeks all major organs forms Fetal Stage: (the rest of the pregnancy) continued growth and development of all major organs, fetus •

Be familiar with Harry Harlow’s research

- Harlow’s study applied to humans: research shows that touching and massaging infants leads to significant physical and emotional benefits - Studies on severely neglected/abused children show that they continue to have trouble forming attachments late in their lives. - Harry Harlow: (Attachment/Deprivation study)

Psych 100

Unit Exam #1

Prof LeBreton

- Monkeys were reared by wire “mothers”. One mother was covered with a soft cloth, the other was not. Monkeys clung to the soft cloth mother and rejected the wire mother, even when the wire mother provided all the food. This is evidence that “contact” comfort is necessary for attachment. - Other monkeys were reared for the first 6 months of their life with no contact at all (social deprivation). Even though they were exposed to normal parenting after the 6 months, the monkeys showed severely abnormal social behavior throughout their lives. They made terrible mates and parents (some even killed their infants). This is evidence of the importance of an early attachment relationship. •

Know Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, including the key developmental tasks achieved in each stage

Jean Piaget: all children go through four cognitive stages at approximately the same age, regardless of the culture in which they live (Huffman, Vernoy, & Vernoy, 2000) “pretty much factual from all the research” – Sensorimotor Stage: (birth-2 years) infants develop a sense of the world through their senses and motor activity 1. Object Permanence: (6-9 months) the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of view – Preoperational Stage: (2-7 years) the child cannot perform logical mental functions (or operations), but does think symbolically (using words and sentences) 1. Egocentrism: the preoperational child is complex 2. tely self-centered in his/her thinking - cannot think of things from another person’s perspective 3. Animism: the...