Psychology specialisations
Psychology originates from two Greek words — 'Psyche' meaning mind, and this word meaning 'study or knowledge'.
Logos
The outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher-order processing like memory, language, and decision-making is called this.
Cerebral cortex (grey matter)
What is the name for the long projection of a neuron that carries electrical nerve impulses away from the cell body?
axon
The CNS stands for Central Nervous System. What TWO structures make it up?
Brain and spinal cord
Focusing on one person's voice in a noisy room is an example of this type of attention.
selective attention
This type of mental health professional can prescribe medication, has a medical degree, and takes 13 years to qualify.
Psychiatrist
What is the name of the bundle of nerve cells that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain?
Corpus Callosum
This fatty covering wraps around the axon to insulate it and speed up transmission of electrical impulses.
myelin sheath
Sensory signals travelling TO the CNS are called 'afferent'. What is the term for motor signals travelling AWAY from the CNS?
Efferent (motor)
This state of consciousness involves deep relaxation, heightened suggestibility, and focused attention, and is sometimes used therapeutically to help with pain management or changing habits.
hypnosis
This area of psychology focuses on applying psychology to the legal and criminal justice system.
Forensic Psychology
Name the 4 lobes of the brain
frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal
These neurons are found in the spinal cord and connect sensory and motor neurons, allowing fast reflex reactions without involving the brain.
interneurons
This division of the nervous system controls voluntary movements like lifting your arm.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
During this sleep stage the brain is highly active, the eyes move rapidly, and vivid dreams occur. What is it called and what type of brainwaves are present?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep; brainwaves resemble waking Beta waves, the brain is very active despite the body being at rest.
What ATAR score does UWA require for entry into psychology, and how many total years of study (undergrad + masters) must a psychologist complete?
ATAR of 80; 6 years total (4-year degree + 2-year Masters with 120 days in the field)
Phineas Gage survived a rod through his skull in 1848 and famously changed personality. His frontal lobe was damaged, and what TWO functions does that lobe control?
Frontal lobe; any 2 of: personality/emotional regulation, impulse control, decision-making, voluntary motor control, speech production
Describe the full path of an action potential from start to finish, naming the structures it passes through IN ORDER.
Dendrites → Cell body (soma) → Axon → Axon terminals → Neurotransmitters released into synaptic cleft → Dendrites of next neuron
Name FOUR specific physical effects on the body caused by activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
increased heart rate/blood pressure, dilated pupils, relaxed airways, slowed digestion, release of adrenaline
A person is sitting quietly with their eyes closed, concentrating on their breathing. Their brain is producing Alpha waves. What state of consciousness are they most likely in, and what does Alpha wave activity indicate about their level of awareness?
Meditation (or relaxed wakefulness); Alpha waves indicate a relaxed, calm state, less alert than Beta but not yet asleep.
Name THREE of the 9 major fields of psychology in Australia.
Any 3 of: Clinical, Counselling, Educational & Developmental, Forensic, Health, Organisational, Neuropsychology, Sport & Exercise, Community
Broca's Area (frontal lobe) and Wernicke's Area (temporal lobe) are both associated with language - explain the DIFFERENCE between what each one does and which lobe each is found in.
Broca's Area (frontal lobe) controls speech PRODUCTION; Wernicke's Area (temporal lobe) controls language COMPREHENSION (understanding spoken/written words)
Explain the difference between an action potential and a neurotransmitter, and describe what happens at the synapse to convert the signal between neurons.
Action potential = electrical impulse travelling along the neuron. Neurotransmitter = chemical messenger. At the synapse, the electrical signal triggers release of neurotransmitters from axon terminals into the synaptic cleft, which bind to the next neuron's dendrites and restart the electrical signal.
Compare the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: name the common nickname for each, when each activates, and ONE specific body effect of each.
Sympathetic = 'fight or flight', activates during stress/danger, e.g. increases heart rate. Parasympathetic = 'rest and digest', activates during relaxation/after eating, e.g. stimulates digestion.
A person is in deep sleep. Describe TWO things happening in the body during this stage, and explain why sleep is essential for brain function the next day.
Body effects: tissues/muscles repair, immune system strengthens, energy is conserved. Brain function benefit: sleep consolidates memories, supports attention, problem-solving and decision-making the following day.
A student wants to help elite athletes improve their mental focus and resilience. Name the psychology specialisation they should pursue, describe its focus, AND explain one key difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
Sport & Exercise Psychology: focuses on helping athletes improve mental focus, resilience and performance.
Key difference: A psychologist uses therapy/counselling and CANNOT prescribe medication; a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who CAN prescribe medication.
A patient suffers a stroke and can understand everything people say but cannot form spoken words. Which specific brain area is damaged, which lobe is it in, and which hemisphere is it usually found in? Also name ONE other function of that lobe.
Broca's Area is damaged; located in the frontal lobe, usually the LEFT hemisphere. Other frontal lobe functions include: decision-making, impulse control, voluntary motor control, or personality regulation.
You accidentally touch a hot stove and pull your hand away before consciously feeling pain. Name the type of neuron responsible for this fast response, explain WHY it is faster than normal conscious processing, and then describe the complete sequence of neuron types involved from touch to muscle movement.
Interneurons allow reflex actions without brain processing, making it faster. Sequence: Sensory (afferent) neurons detect pain → Interneurons in the spinal cord relay the signal → Motor (efferent) neurons carry the message to muscles → Hand pulls away. The brain receives the pain signal slightly later, which is why you feel it after you've already moved.
You are walking home and a dog suddenly runs at you barking. Trace the FULL pathway of your body's response: which nervous system division activates, what are THREE specific physical effects, and what division takes over once you are safely home and calming down?
Sympathetic Nervous System activates (fight or flight). Physical effects (any 3): increased heart rate/blood pressure, dilated pupils, airways relax for more oxygen, digestion slows, adrenaline released. Once home, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest) takes over: heart rate slows, digestion resumes, body relaxes.
Arrange the following states from MOST conscious to LEAST conscious and briefly explain what each state involves: Sleep, Selective Attention, Daydreaming, Hypnosis, Meditation, Divided Attention.
Most → Least conscious: Selective Attention (focused, high awareness) → Divided Attention (split focus, reduced performance) → Daydreaming (shift to internal thoughts, lower awareness) → Meditation (focused relaxation, altered awareness) → Hypnosis (deep relaxation, heightened suggestibility) → Sleep (reduced consciousness, REM/NREM cycles).