Psychology - Answers the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Wilhelm Wundt - Answers structuralism; in 1879 founded first psychology laboratory in world at
University of Leipzig; introspection, basic units of experience
Edward Titchener - Answers Student of Wilhelm Wundt; founder of Structuralist school of
psychology.
William James - Answers founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in
our environment
Structuralism - Answers An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the
structural elements of the human mind
Functionalism - Answers a school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral
processes function - how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.
Case study - Answers An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope
of revealing universal principles.
Naturalistic observation - Answers Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations
without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Survey research - Answers gathering primary data by asking people questions about their knowledge,
attitudes, preferences, and buying behavior
Random sample - Answers method of selecting from a population in which each person has an equal
probability of being selected
Positive correlation - Answers a correlation in which large values of one variable are associated with
large values of the other and small with small
Negative correlation - Answers a correlation in which large values of one variable are associated with
small values of the other
Correlation versus causation - Answers A correlation is a predictable relationship between two
variables makes it possible to predict the other. However, just because two variables are correlated
does not mean that one causes the other.
Experiment - Answers a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors
(independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent
variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant
factors.
Independent variable - Answers The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose
effect is being studied.
Dependent variable - Answers The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to
manipulations of the independent variable.
Random assignment - Answers Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by
chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.
Biological perspective - Answers A psychological approach that emphasizes bodily events and
changes associated with actions, feelings, and thoughts.
Neurons - Answers Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit
information.
Action potential - Answers a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. the
action potential is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in
the axon's membrane
Neurotransmitters - Answers chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons
Dopamine and Parkinson's disease - Answers Death of dopamine producing cells leads to Parkinson's
disease, a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and
coordination.
Reticular formation and personality - Answers Nerve network in the brainstem, controls arousal.
Shy personality is more sexually aroused.
Outgoing personality is less sexually aroused.
Left hemisphere of brain - Answers logical, contains mathamatics, lauguage, & speech. controls right
side of the body