Monthly Archives: September 2012
Treatment of Mental Problems: A Summary of Therapies and Features
Treatment of Mental Problems: A Summary of Therapies and Features Therapies Contents Features/Examples Explanations/Targets Side Effect Examples Psychoanalysis/psychodynamic therapy Free association Catharsis Transference Behavior therapies Classical conditioning-based therapies Exposure therapies Systematic desensitization Flooding Aversion … Continue reading
Psychopathology: A Summary of Types, Disorders, and Concepts
Psychopathology: A Summary of Types, Disorders, and Concepts Concepts/Theories/Sources Categories Categories Components/Disorders Problems Examples/Details Types/Examples Mental disorder features (Holmes) Distress Psychological discomfort Disability Unable to do daily activities Deviance Abnormal mood, … Continue reading
Personality: A Summary of Theories, Concepts, and Stages
Personality: A Summary of Theories, Concepts, and Stages Theories Concepts/Stages Features/Stages Features/Examples The psychoanalytic view (Freud and followers) Early childhood experiences and unconscious forces can shape behaviors The developmental “crisis” (stages with conflicts) Trait theory Essential traits … Continue reading
Social Psychology: A Summary of Theories and Concepts
Social Psychology: A Summary of Theories and Concepts Theories Concepts Features Attribution theory Explanations of behaviors Dispositional Internal attribution Situational External attributions Fundamental attribution error Underestimation of the influence of the situation on actions Self-serving … Continue reading
Emotions, Stress, and Coping: A Summary of Theories and Concepts
Emotions, Stress, and Coping: A Summary of Theories and Concepts Categories/Concepts/Structures Theories Features Features/Contents The autonomic system Cannon-Bard theory 2 messages from the brain area processing sensory information To the autonomic system To the limbic system James-Lange theory … Continue reading
Motivation: A Summary of Theories, Concepts, and Substances
Motivation: A Summary of Theories, Concepts, and Substances Theories Concepts/Structures Substances/Features Features Instinct theory Unconsciously motivated behaviors (Freud) Drive theory Drive-reduction/homeostatic theory Optimum arousal Yerkes-Dodson law/Inverted-U Hypothesis Incentive theory Operant conditioning Overjustification effect Motivation is … Continue reading
Lifespan Development: Concepts, Stages, and Features
Lifespan Development: Concepts, Stages, and Features Areas Theories/Concepts/Stages Features/Stages Explanations/Sub-Stages Associated Concepts/Features/Problems Developmental psychology Cognition Reasoning, thought Psychosocial Personality, behavior in social environments Critical periods Prenatal Developmental milestones Sensitive/optimal periods Gains … Continue reading
Concepts of Cognition, Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
Concepts of Cognition, Thinking, Language, and Intelligence Concepts Contents Related Concepts Cognition Understanding Interpreting Organizing Remembering Problem solving Decision making Creating Mental representations Symbols Language Concepts Images Observational learning Cognitive map Concepts Natural concepts Fuzzy concepts … Continue reading
Memory Stages and Concepts
Memory Stages and Concepts Concepts Explanations Sensory memory The stage that information registers or is “held”, decided by attention. Short-term/working memory The encoding/consolidation process to prepare for storage; the limbic system, esp. the hippocampus is involved, the front lobes … Continue reading
Concepts of Learning: Conditioning, Reinforcement
Concepts of Learning: Conditioning, Reinforcement Classical Conditioning Concepts Responses Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): naturally induces a response Unconditioned response (UCR) Neutral stimulus No specific reactions Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) + Neutral stimulus Association: Neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus (CS)) -> … Continue reading
Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Hypnosis, and Meditation
Sleep, Circadian Rhythm, Hypnosis, and Meditation Circadian Rhythm Relevant Brain Structures Locations Influences Pineal gland Close to the hypothalamus Rapid eye movement (REM) Melatonin (low in the morning, high in the evening) Reticular activating system (RAS) Brain … Continue reading
Perception: Concepts and Theories
Perception: Concepts and Theories Perception: A complex process begins in the brain Perceptual set: A “frame of mind” that expectations affect the interpretation of inputs. Culture and perception: Nature and experience influence our perception, e.g., the … Continue reading
The Eight Senses: Touch, Pain, Balance and Kinesthesis
The Eight Senses: Touch, Pain, Balance and Kinesthesis Types Physical stimulus Equipment Sub-Structures Roles of the Brain Theories Touch Cutaneous receptors for stimuli: pressure, vibration, heat, cold, etc. Hair follicle ending (in the skin): for hair displacement Ruffini … Continue reading
The Eight Senses: Smell and Taste
The Eight Senses: Smell and Taste Types Physical stimulus Equipment Sub-Structures Role of the Brain Theories Olfaction (smell) Chemical molecules in the air Molecules -> inhaled via the nostrils, mouth -> nasal cavity -> olfactory cilia, olfactory epithelium … Continue reading
The Eight Senses: Hearing
The Eight Senses: Hearing Types Physical Stimulus Equipment The Role of the Brain Theories Hearing Sound waves (air pressure changes in compression and expansion through space) features: frequency of cycles (pitch – high/low sounds from vibration rates; hertz … Continue reading
The Eight Senses: Vision
The Eight Senses: Vision Types Physical stimulus Equipments Sub-Structures Role of the Brain Theories Vision Light waves (the electromagnetic spectrum from red to violet visible to the human eyes) Cornea: protection, light-gathering Light -> sclera (white), aqueous … Continue reading
Concepts about Sensations
Concepts about Sensations Concepts Explanations Sub-concepts/Examples Explanations Sensation Detection and translation of physical stimulus (sound, light, texture, flavor, etc.) into action potentials via receptor cells in the peripheral nervous system Transduction The process the stimuli are turned … Continue reading
Structures and Functions of the Brain
Brain Structures and Functions Main Structures Locations Substructures Subdivisions/Features Functions Brain stem The lowest area of the brain, on the top of the spinal cord; life support structures with neurons for sensory/motor integration Medulla (medulla oblongata) Hindbrain Regulates … Continue reading
Brain Imaging Techniques
Brain Imaging Techniques Imaging Techniques Materials Mechanisms Applications CAT (computerized axial tomography) X-ray pictures taken around the patient Computer-reconstructed pictures in axial slices Brain lesion or tumor detection DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) Similar to MRI Detection of molecular motions … Continue reading
Functions of Neurotransmitters
Functions of Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters Functions Disorders from insufficiency Disorders from oversupply Acetylcholine Memory; muscle movement (contraction) Alzheimer’s disease, dementia Convulsions/spider bite/nerve gas Dopamine Cognition; sensory; movement Parkinson’s disease, sensory deficits, tremors Delusions, hallucinations, methamphetamine addiction Endorphins Suppress pain; improve … Continue reading
