Quiz 1 Study Guide

• Basic Research


  Used to gain basic knowledge or understanding, not used to solve a problem.

  Ex. observations, surveys, gathering data, interviews
• Applied Research


  Uses Basic Research to solve a problem.

  Ex. drugs, treatments
• Theory


  An explanation that fits many observations and makes accurate predictions

  A system of ideas that finds an answer to common phenomena
• Falsifiable


  Phrased in a clear way that states everything that makes your theory true and anything that could make it false
• Burden of Proof


  You have the obligation to provide evidence that validates your claim
• Free Will


  The choices you make are of your own doing, not controlled by any outside forces
• Determinism 


  Everything has a cause (determinant)
• Nature v. Nurture


  Genetics v. Environment
• Psychology


  Study of the mind and soul. Study of behavior and experiences.
• Clinical Psychologist


  Mental and Behavioral care and counseling. Do not prescribe medication.
• School Psychologist


  Focused on research and children
• Structuralism


  Theory by E.B. Titchener

  There is an anatomical structure to the brain that determines how you feel and act
• Functionalism


  Theory by William James

  The way your consciousness helps you adapt to your environment

  Ex. sitting in a chair, how to leave a room
• Types of Samples:

  • Convenience
  • Representative
  • Random
  • Cross-Cultural
• Convenience Sample

  Based on what's around you
• Representative Sample


  Balance of those studies, unbiased
• Random Sample


  Everyone has an equal chance of being chosen
• Cross-Cultural Sample


  Grab participants from more than one culture
• Correlation


  How things align, cause and effect
• Experimental Group


  Group that is observed to find a change
• Control Group


  Group that receives a Placebo, used as base-line to compare
• Independent Variable


  Variable that is changed
• Dependent Variable


  Changes based on Independent Variable, what you are trying to perceive the change in
• Experimenter Bias


  The Experimenter tries to read their hypothesis into the results
• Single Blind Study


  The participant doesn't know which group they are in
• Double Blind Study


  Participants and Researchers don't know which group Participants are in
• Axons 


  long, thin, straight fiber that transports impulses gathered from Dendrites
• Myelin Sheath


  Insulates axons, helps speed up transmission
• Neurons 


  Basic working unit of the brain, specialized cells found in the brain and spinal cord, responsible for transmitting nerve impulses
• 3 Parts of a Neuron

  • Dendrite
  • Cell Body
  • Axons
• Synapse


  Specialized junction between neurons
• Dendrites


  Widely branching structure that receives impulses from other neurons
• Neurotransmitter


  Chemical that activated receptors on other neurons
• Postsynaptic Neuron


  Receives impulse after synapse
• Agonist


  Drug that increases activity at a synapse
• Antagonist


  Drug that decreases activity at a synapse
• Resting Potential 


  The potential energy something has

  Ex. a light switch that is wired but off
• Action Potential


  Excited voltage of something

  Ex. a light switch that is turned on
• Depressant 


  Lower stimulation and neurotransmitter activity

  Ex. Alcohol, Xanax, Opiods
• Stimulants


  Increases energy and alertness

  Ex. Caffeine, Meth, Cocaine