Ch. 1: Intro to Psychology
The definition of psychology
The scientific study of the mind and behavior
An observable reality that is established only using evidence collected through empirical research
A fact
This theory states that organisms that are better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce
Natural selection
The biological rhythm that takes place over a period of about 24 hours
Circadian rhythm
The conversion from sensory stimulus energy to action potential is known as this term
Transduction
What is the empirical method?
Gaining knowledge through observation and experimenting
A tool that accurately measures what it is supposed to measure has this
Validity
Refers to an individual’s inherited physical characteristics
Phenotype
A group of sleep disorders in which unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep play a role
Parasomnias
This kind of processing occurs when previous experiences and expectations are first used to recognize stimuli
Top-down processing
This branch of psychology focuses on thinking, memory, learning, and problem solving
Cognitive psychology
A testable prediction about how the world will behave if our idea is correct
This part of a neuron recieves signals from other cells
Dendrites
This sleep stage is involved in full relaxation of the body and allows for cell regeneration
Stage 3 NREM
The ability to identify a stimulus when it is embedded in a distracting background
Signal detection theory
He was the first psychologist and was a structuralist
Wilhelm Wundt
A tool that accurately measures what it is supposed to measure has this
Validity
This difference in charge across the membrane provides energy for electrical signals
Membrane potential
This type of drug tends to suppress central nervous system activity
Depressants
This part of the ear is a fluid-filled, snail-shaped structure that contains the sensory receptor cells (hair cells) of the auditory system
The cochlea
Structuralism: breaks up consciousness into more basic parts: thoughts, feelings, & emotions; understanding each individual part of the mind
Functionalism: focused on the mind as a whole rather than its individual parts; what the mind and behavior do and why they are useful
This type of research looks at multiple sections of the population at the same time
Cross-sectional research
This part of the brain regulates a number of homeostatic processes, including the regulation of body temperature, appetite, and blood pressure
The hypothalamus
The very high amplitude pattern of brain activity that may in some cases occur in response to environmental stimuli
K-complex
This part of the eye is attached to muscles that can change its shape to aid in focusing light that is reflected from near or far objects
The lens