Stress/Nervous system
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
Central and peripheral.
Zoe is solving a maths problem in class.Which lobe is most active?
frontal lobe
Name one difference between REM and NREM sleep.
REM = rapid eye movements; NREM = no rapid eye movements.
A person is gradually Exposed to the thing they fear until fear decreases. what is that called?
Exposure therapy (helps brain learn it’s safe)
Identify one method of presenting results from psychological research.
Bar graphs
What does dopamine do?
Helps control movement and emotion.
Identify the process of removing unused neural connections.
synaptic pruning
Liam works night shifts and struggles to sleep during the day. Identify the sleep disorder he may develop.
Shift work disorder due to circadian rhythm disruption
Name 3 protective factors for wellbeing.
Biological Factors:
-Good sleep Healthy diet / nutrition Regular exercise -Balanced brain chemistry (natural GABA function)
Psychological Factors
-Positive coping strategies (e.g., relaxation,
-mindfulness, problem-solving)
-Resilience / ability to bounce back from stress
-Cognitive strategies (challenging negative thoughts, realistic thinking)
-High self-esteem / confidence
Social Factors
-Supportive family relationships
Supportive friendships / peer networks
-Positive social connections (feeling included and accepted)
-Access to mental health services (psychologists, counsellors, support groups)
-Safe and stable environment
Emma wants to test if caffeine improves memory. She gives one group coffee and the other decaf. Identify the IV and DV.
IV = caffeine, DV = memory performance
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Speeds up the body for fight or flight.
Mia gets a sticker every time she finishes her homework. What type of learning is this?
Operant conditioning — behaviour is rewarded with a positive reinforcement.
EEG shows high-frequency, low-amplitude waves while Sam dreams. Which stage of sleep is this?
REM sleep
Distinguish the difference between percipitation and perpetuation.
:Precipitating Factor: Something that triggers the onset of a mental disorder by classical conditioning.
Perpetuating Factor: Something that maintains or makes a mental disorder worse once it has startedby operant conditioning.
Sarah interviews participants about their phobias to gather detailed responses. What type of research is this?
Qualitative research
What is a “secure attachment”?
When a baby feels safe and comforted by their caregiver.
Sophie receives extra game time when she answers questions correctly. Identify the reinforcement type.
Positive reinforcement — adding a reward to increase behaviour.
Sarah uses her phone late at night, delaying bedtime. Explain how this impacts circadian rhythm and sleep quality.
Blue light delays melatonin, disrupts circadian rhythm, reduces REM/NREM quality
difference between stress, anxiety and phobia.
provide examples for each:
-Stress → reaction to a specific challenge or tension
-Anxiety → ongoing or presistent worry without a clear threat
-Phobia → extreme or irrational fear of a specific object or situation
Stress → Nervous before a test
Anxiety → Feeling tense most days without knowing why
Phobia → Panic at the sight of a dog after being bitten
Name 3 ways researchers can improve validity.
Control extraneous variables, use standardised procedures, use reliable measurement tools
How do twin or adoption studies help with understanding nature vs nurture?
They show how much behaviour is caused by genetics or environment.
Ella practices piano every day and improves her speed and accuracy.What brain change is happening?
Strengthening of neural connections due to repeated practice (learning / plasticity
A person experiences microsleeps and impaired memory after 72 hours without sleep. Name the type of deprivation and effects on cognition.
Total sleep deprivation; attention, memory, decision-making deficits
Sarah’s fear of dogs started after a bite, she avoids dogs, and has low GABA. Explain using the biopsychosocial model how phobia is maintained.
Biopsychosocial model; biological (GABA), psychological (learned fear, avoidance), social/environmental (stress or isolation) interact to cause and maintain phobia
Name 3 ways ethical considerations interact with research design.
Protect participants from harm, ensure informed consent, maintain confidentiality