Subfields of Psychology
This field explores how electrical stimulation of the nervous system influences behaviors and mental processes.
What is Physiological Psychology? (p. 1)
Phineas Gage was this type of worker in the 19th century when his accident occurred.
What is a rail worker? (p. 3)
Physiological psychologists frequently perform experiments on these subjects that have similar nervous systems to humans.
What are animals? (p. 1)
Sammy suffered from OCD and symptoms of this condition, which involves tics that happen for no apparent reason.
What is Tourette's syndrome? (p. 7)
This is a large chunk of the brain; examples include the frontal and temporal areas.
What is a lobe? (p. 2)
This subfield is the study of how medications and drugs influence the nervous system.
What is Psychopharmacology? (p. 2)
A metal rod went through his cheek, into his brain, and out the top of his head during an explosion. (p. 3)
What is a metal rod?
During a study, saline was used as this type of solution, which served as a reference point compared to the actual drugs.
What is a no drug solution (or control solution)? (p. 2)
He was given this type of medication, a typical treatment for OCD.
What are SSRIs? (p. 8)
This is a machine that measures various physiological processes like heart rate and sweating.
What is a polygraph machine (or lie detector)? (p. 5)
This field explores the influence brain damage has on behavior and mental processes.
What is Neuropsychology? (p. 2)
The rod severed connections in this part of the brain, affecting reasoning and control of impulses.
What is the frontal cortex (or prefrontal cortex)? (p. 3)
Neurosurgeons sometimes stimulate brain regions with electricity while the patient is awake to examine this specific function.
What is the area's function? (p. 1)
These medications work by increasing the accumulation of this specific chemical in the brain.
What is serotonin? (p. 8)
This term describes our body's ability to resist harmful influences like viruses, bacteria, and physical trauma.
What is immunity? (p. 7)
This field explores the relationship between physiological reactions (like sweating or heart rate) and mental processes.
What is Psychophysiology? (p. 4)
He also suffered damage to this set of subcortical structures which influence emotions and memory.
What is the limbic system? (p. 3)
Researchers use this technologically sophisticated method to provide an image of brain activity and see which regions show more activity.
What is fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)? (p. 4)
Sammy was given neuroleptics to combat Tourette's syndrome, which reduce levels of this chemical that is high in Tourette's sufferers.
What is dopamine? (p. 8)
This subfield tries to answer how a behavior like a phobia evolved over time.
What is Evolutionary Psychology? (p. 6)
This subfield concentrates on the behavior of different species to understand genetic influences on behavior.
What is Comparative Psychology? (p. 5)
After the injury, his personality changed, and he typically experienced these frequent emotional displays.
What are angry outbursts? (p. 4)
Due to genetic similarities, these insects are used in research on Alzheimer's disease.
What are fruit flies? (p. 6)
The real culprit behind Sammy's symptoms was this bacterium, also known as strep.
What is streptococcus? (p. 8)
The subfield that focuses on the connection between the nervous system and the immune system.
What is Psychoneuroimmunology? (p. 6)