Introduction
Define the difference between the independent variable and dependent variable.
Independent- researcher manipulates (INDEPENDENT of other variables)
Dependent- researcher measures (DEPENDS on the independent variable)
When both variables increase or decrease together, this is…
Positive correlation
Describe social threat and its influence on aggression.
Social threat is a fear that comes from another person or group. Stems from social dominance and cultural values. Evolutionary development.
Describe Bandura’s experiment.
Bobo doll experiment, observational learning. Children learn by watching others.
What are the parts of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system?
CNS: Brain and spinal cord.
PNS: All other neural connections.
What is bystanderism?
The act of not helping an individual in need, especially when others are present.
What is the difference between an MRI and fMRI?
MRI measures brain structure, fMRI measures brain activity
Explain both systems of the dual process model of decision making.
System 1: Fast, unconscious, based on past experiences.
System 2: Slow, conscious, based on consequences.
Describe Feinstein’s case study.
SM case study, lack of fear due to rare genetic condition, damage to amygdala.
What is confabulation?
The ability to remember a memory that did not occur.
Name one benefit and one limitation of a laboratory experiment.
Benefits- controlled environment, decreased extraneous variables, easier to see direct effect of IV on DV.
Limitations: Lacks ecological validity, may cause participants to act differently than they would in everyday life. Lacks mundane reality.
Describe internal validity and external validity.
Internal Velocity: The extent to which a demonstrates the relationship it is intended to.
External Validity: The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to a larger population.
Emotional blunting is reduction of emotions. Amygdala is the emotional center of the brain.
Meyer-Lindenburg et al 2008
A variation of the MAOA gene can cause increased amygdala activity and lower prefrontal cortex function.
Explain the evolutionary advantage of testosterone in relation to Darwin’s theory.
Testosterone is a product of biological factors such as Darwin’s Survival of the Fittest. Overcoming potential threats and dangers is what helps the human race survive.
What is a major limitation of the field of psychology?
The inability to prove or completely generalize results. Exceptions may always exist.
What condition do experimenters implement to prevent bias?
Blind procedure, double blind experiment.
What are the attributes of the MAOA gene?
Also known as the warrior gene. Correlates to anti-social behavior. Variations/ mutations can increase the probability of violence.
Luby et al 2013
Longitudinal study where children with neglect had less white and gray matter in MRI scans. Hippocampus and amygdala also had less development in the neglected children than the fulfilled condition.
What is the difference between neuroplasticity and neurogenesis?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new connections and neural pathways.
Neurogenesis is the brain’s ability to create new neurons.
What is the difference between extraneous variable and confounding variable?
Extraneous variables- possible factors that may influence DV.
Confounding variables- HAS an effect on DV that was not intended.
Define at least two ethical guidelines that must be present in human experiments.
Informed consent, considerations regarding deception, justification, right to withdraw, debriefing, anonymity, approval from board of ethics.
What is the difference between observational and vicarious learning?
Observational learning is learning by observing others.
Vicarious learning is learning by observing others’ behavior in relation to their rewards and punishments.
Describe a human experiment related to the biological factors of aggression.
Passamonti, Grafman, Goetz, Radke, Raine, Meyer-Lindenburg
Describe the process of a physiological response (list all the steps.)
Amygdala —> hypothalamus —> pineal gland —> adrenal gland —> fight or flight