Psychology

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  • Created by: irem7861
  • Created on: 07-10-12 15:27
Why can’t family studies alone tell us whether a trait is genetically transmitted?
Family studies alone cannot tell us whether a trait is genetically transmitted because families share not only genes but also similar living environments
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What does the all-or-none law refer to?
Neural impulses conform to the all-or-none law, which means that a neuron generates an action potential only if a threshold level of stimulation is reached. If the threshold is not reached, the neuron doesn’t fire.
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How are neural impulses transmitted from one neuron to another?
Neural impulses are transmitted from one neuron to another via neurotransmitters. When an action potential reaches the terminal buttons of a neuron, neurotransmitter-filled synaptic vesicles fuse with the cell membrane, releasing neurotransmitter mol
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Why is the pituitary sometimes called the master gland?
The pituitary gland is sometimes called the master gland because it releases hormones that control other glands.
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What are schema?
A schema is a cognitive framework that helps organize and interpret information in the world around us
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What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex refers to a biological distinction between males and females, whereas gender refers to a learned distinction between masculinity and femininity.
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What are the primary tastes?
The primary tastes are salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami.
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What is the path taken by sound waves into the ear?
The pinna collects sound waves and passes them along the auditory canal to the eardrum. Vibrations of the eardrum move along to the ossicles and from there move through the oval window to the cochlea. The fluid in the cochlea then moves in waves, and
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What is accommodation?
Accommodation is the process by which the lens of the eye adjusts in shape to focus light from objects that are near or far away.
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Why is REM sleep also called paradoxical sleep?
Although REM is a stage of deep sleep in which muscles are very relaxed, paradoxically, people in REM sleep and people who are awake have similar brain wave activity
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What is the activation-synthesis theory of dreams?
The activation-synthesis theory of dreams states that neurons in the brain randomly activate during REM sleep and that dreams arise when the cortex tries to make meaning out of these random neural impulses
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What functions might sleep have?
The functions of sleep include conservation of energy, protection from predators, and restoration of body tissues.
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What are the two main theories about the nature of hypnosis?
One theory proposes that hypnosis causes people to dissociate or divide their consciousness into two parts: an observing part and a participating part. Another theory proposes that hypnosis makes people play elaborate roles.
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Why is observational learning also called vicarious learning?
Observational learning is also called vicarious learning because it involves learning by seeing others acquire responses through classical or operant conditioning.
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What are the three processes involved in memory?
The three processes involved in memory are encoding, storage, and retrieval.
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Define retroactive interference?
Retroactive interference is the forgetting of old information when new information is learned. An example: Frank learned Spanish in high school. Since he took French 101 in college, however, he can’t remember very much of his Spanish.
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What criteria can be used to determine whether a particular system of communication is a language?
A language must use symbols and syntax and be meaningful and generative.
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What are two strategies for making decisions about preferences?
Two strategies for making preference decisions are additive strategies and elimination strategies.
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What is the difference between aptitude tests and achievement tests?
Aptitude tests predict people’s future ability to acquire skills or knowledge. Achievement tests measure skills and knowledge that people have already learned.
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What is the facial-feedback hypothesis, and why is it relevant to someone having a bad day?
The facial-feedback hypothesis is the idea that the brain uses feedback from facial muscles to recognize emotions that are being experienced. Making the facial expression corresponding to a particular emotion can make a person feel that emotion
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What aspects of emotion are similar across cultures?
People in many different cultures can identify the six basic emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. Also, the physiological indicators of emotion are similar in people from different cultures.
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What findings suggest that there may be a genetic basis for the predisposition to homosexuality?
Research has shown that the identical twins of homosexuals are much more likely to be homosexual than the fraternal twins of homosexuals. In turn, the fraternal twins of homosexuals are more likely to be homosexual than the adoptive siblings of homos
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What are the Big Five traits?
The Big Five traits are neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.
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What are psychodynamic theories?
Psychodynamic theories are based on the work of Sigmund Freud. They all emphasize unconscious motives and desires and the importance of childhood experiences in shaping personality
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In Freud’s view, what causes anxiety?
n Freud’s view, anxiety is caused by the inability of the ego to balance adequately the demands of the id and the superego
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What are some reasons why people might not follow medical advice for a given condition?
First, people sometimes don’t understand the instructions they are given. People also may not follow treatment regimens if they are unpleasant or interfere significantly with daily routines. Finally, people may not follow advice if they are displease
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What are some possible reasons for the link between optimism and better physical health?
People who are optimistic are more likely to find social support, appraise events in less threatening ways, take good care of themselves when sick, and use active coping strategies that focus on problem solving.
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What criteria are commonly used to determine whether a person might have a psychological disorder?
3 main criteria are commonly used : A. The person’s behavior violates culturally determined standards or acceptability. B. The person’s behavior is maladaptive or harmful to that person or others. C. The person suffers from distress.
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What are some cognitive characteristics of depressed people?
Depressed people usually have a pessimistic explanatory style; a tendency to attribute negative events to internal, global, and stable factors; and a tendency to ruminate about problems.
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What are some characteristics of people who are likely to benefit from therapy?
People who benefit from therapy are generally motivated to get better, have family support, and deal actively with problems rather than avoid them
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What is free association?
A psychoanalytic technique that involves having the client verbalize all thoughts that come to mind.
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What is Chunking?
The process of combining small bits of information into bigger, familiar pieces.
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What is Falsifiability?
The ability of a theory or hypothesis to be rejected
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What is Retrograde amnesia?
An inability to remember events that occurred before a brain injury or traumatic event.
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What is Retroactive interference?
Forgetting of old information because of newly learned information.
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What is Anterograde amnesia?
An inability to remember events that occurred after a brain injury or traumatic event.
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What is Rationalization?
Rationalization is a defense mechanism that involves using incorrect but self-serving explanations to justify unacceptable behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
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What is Broca’s area?
Broca’s area is a part of the brain, in the left frontal lobe, that is involved in speech production.
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What is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a tendency to fall asleep periodically during the day
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What is Proactive interference?
Proactive interference is the forgetting of new information because of previously learned information.
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What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions
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Card 2

Front

What does the all-or-none law refer to?

Back

Neural impulses conform to the all-or-none law, which means that a neuron generates an action potential only if a threshold level of stimulation is reached. If the threshold is not reached, the neuron doesn’t fire.

Card 3

Front

How are neural impulses transmitted from one neuron to another?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why is the pituitary sometimes called the master gland?

Back

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Card 5

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What are schema?

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