Science of Psychology
What is a hypothesis?
An educated guess
Describe Indulgence vs. Restraint
A society that favors free gratification and having fun vs. a society that suppresses gratification and is more strict
What are the 3 major divisions of the brain?
The brainstem, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation is the process through which a physical stimulus is converted into a neural signal. Perception is the process through which we interpret sensations
What is REM sleep?
Rapid Eye Movement, when dreams occur
A dentist's office sponsors a study to determine which brand of toothpaste is the most effective at cleaning teeth. What are the independent and dependent variables?
Independent: Brand of toothpaste
Dependent: Cleanliness of teeth
Describe a Large vs. Small power distance
Large power distance: One person has a lot more power than another
Small power distance: One person barely has more power than another
Which brain structure is known to regulate emotions such as anger and aggression?
Amygdala
List 2 of the Gestalt Principles
Proximity, Similarity, Closure, Good Continuation
What are at least 2 functions of sleep?
Alertness and attention, growth and development, protection, recuperation/restoration, immunity to disease, mood/psychological well-being, learning, problem solving, and memory consolidation
Name two types of research
Experiment, Naturalistic Observation, Correlational Studies, Case Study, Survey
Describe Assertiveness vs. Caring
A culture that fosters an assertive attitude vs. a culture that fosters a caring attitude
Which direction does a neural impulse travel down a neuron?
(dendrites to axon terminals)
(axon terminals to dendrites)
dendrites to axon terminals
What is the Just Noticeable Difference (JND)?
The minimum change in intensity of a stimulus that participants can identify 50% of the time
Which hormone facilitates sleep?
Melatonin
List 3 subfields of psychology
Various answers
Describe Individualism vs. Collectivism
A society that is more focused on the individual vs. a society that is more focused on the group
What are the 3 types of neurons we discussed?
Motor neurons, Sensory neurons, and Interneurons
What is the difference between bottom-up processing and top-down processing?
Bottom-up processing is perception of sensory information with no influence or bias, top-down processing is perceiving information with expectations and/or previous experiences in mind
What is the difference between insomnia and sleep apnea?
Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting quality sleep. Sleep apnea is repeated awakening due to interruptions of breathing.
What are confounding variables?
Any factor other than the independent variable that could affect the dependent variable
Describe Avoidance vs. Acceptance of Uncertainty
A culture that minimizes uncertainty with strict laws and rules vs. a culture that is tolerant of new ideas that may challenge existing beliefs
What is brain plasticity?
The ability of the brain to adapt its structure or function in response to damage or experience
What are the 2 ways we perceive depth?
Through Binocular and Monocular cues
What are the 4 types of psychoactive drugs?
Depressants, Stimulants, Opioids, and Hallucinogens