Bio 103 - Midterm Study Guide (PT. 1)

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes; roots in many disciplines and countries; growing and globalizing.

What is the difference between "Nature vs. Nurture"?

Nurture works. . .

Biological influences involve genetic predispositions, genetic mutations, natural selection of adaptive traits and behaviors, and genes responding to the environment.

Psychological influences do NOT involve learned fears, learned expectations, emotional responses, cognitive processing, and perceptual interpretations.

What are social-cultural influences?

What are the three Levels of Analysis? (The Biopsychosocial Approach)

What are the three subfields of psychology?

What are the correct definitions of counseling, clinical, and psychiatric psychologists?

[blank_start]Basic Research[blank_end] is pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

[blank_start]Applied Research[blank_end] is scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Critical thinking examines theories, rewrites the theories, uses personal opinions, and evaluates evidence solely off of the opinions formed by the examining scientist.

Which of the following is the correct way to conduct The Scientific Method (the method used by psychologists to conduct research)?

A [blank_start]theory[blank_end] is an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events. A [blank_start]hypothesis[blank_end] is a testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

A [blank_start]case study[blank_end] suggests fruitful ideas for future research, no generalizations, or universal truths. A [blank_start]survey[blank_end] is a self-reported data tool used to study participants and gather information about individuals. [blank_start]Natural observation[blank_end] often involves new technology, does not control all factors, and describes and sometimes illuminates, but does not explain behavior.

What is a positive correlation? A negative correlation?

Description includes surveys and interviews; it is the best basis for generalizing because it forms a representative sample.

Correlations are a measure of the differences in physical appearance of two factors, and are used to determine whether or not these two factors are the same materials.

Correlation proves causation.

Experiments are meant for researchers to test a bunch of variables all at once to see what happens to them, variables are swapped and changed whenever it is necessary to the experiment.

Behavioral Science is defined as. . .

Humanistic Perspective is defined as. . .

[blank_start]SQ3R[blank_end] is a study method that uses the technique of survey, question, read, retrieve, review.

Define learning.

[blank_start]Classical Conditioning[blank_end] is a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events, founded by [blank_start]Ivan Pavlov[blank_end].

[blank_start]Operant Conditioning[blank_end] is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher, associated with [blank_start]B.F. Skinner[blank_end].

[blank_start]Observational Learning[blank_end] is when higher animals, especially humans, learn without direct experience by watching and imitating others, associated with [blank_start]Albert Bandura[blank_end] and his [blank_start]bobo doll[blank_end] experiment.

We learn by replication.

What is a Skinner Box?

[blank_start]Mirror Neurons[blank_end] are frontal lobe neurons that scientists believe fire when a person performs certain actions or observes another person doing so; they provide a neural basis for everyday imitation and observational learning.

Modeling is the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

If prosocial modeling can have prosocial effects, antisocial modeling can have antisocial effects. What are examples of prosocial and antisocial modeling?

[blank_start]Punishment[blank_end] administers an undesirable consequence or withdraws something desirable to decrease the frequency of a behavior. A [blank_start]positive punishment[blank_end] affects behavior by presenting a negative consequence after an undesired behavior is exhibited, making that behavior less likely to happen in the future. A [blank_start]negative punishment[blank_end], removing a desired stimulus after a particular undesired behaviors is exhibited results in reducing that behavior in the future.

[blank_start]Acquisition[blank_end] is the initial stage when one links a neural stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response.

[blank_start]Extinction[blank_end] is the diminishing of a conditioned response, occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus.

What is a reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response?

Generalization is the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus (which predicts the unconditioned stimulus) and other irrelevant stimuli.

Discrimination is the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus (which predicts the unconditioned stimulus) and other irrelevant stimuli.

A dog barked and then bit a child's leg. The child was very scared. When this child hears a dog bark again, they tremble with fear. What is the neutral stimulus?

A dog barked and then bit a child's leg. The child was very scared. When this child hears a dog bark again, they tremble with fear. What is the unconditioned stimulus?

A dog barked and then bit a child's leg. The child was very scared. When this child hears a dog bark again, they tremble with fear. What is the unconditioned response?

A dog barked and then bit a child's leg. The child was very scared. When this child hears a dog bark again, they tremble with fear. What is the conditioned stimulus?

A dog barked and then bit a child's leg. The child was very scared. When this child hears a dog bark again, they tremble with fear. What is the conditioned response?