Psychology 121 Review Sheet.

Psychology 121 Review Sheet. (1 participation mark).

Consider the following experiment: A psychologist wonders if eating candies throughout an exam will help students to maintain alertness and thus perform better on the exam. She gives one of her classes a roll of Lifesavers candies to eat during the exam while the other class receives nothing. She compares the 2 classes’ average exam grades.

Identify the:

hypothesis: it is the statement that indicates the relation between the two variables and it indicates what one expects to happen during the experiment. Therefore, the hypothesis is eating candies throughout an exam will help student maintain alertness

independent variable: this are the characters in the experiment that are not affected or changed by the researcher. Therefore, the independent variable is eating candies.

dependent variable: it is the variable that is under test during the experiment, therefore it can vary or change. In the experiment the variable under experiment maintaining alertness to perform better on exams.

experimental group: this is the part of the population that receives the variable being tested. Therefore, in this case, it is the class that receives the rolls of candies.

control group: this is the group that does not receive the variable and therefore acts as the original to which the results will be compared. Thus, the class that dos not receive the candy makes the control group.

Define:

mean: this is the average of a set of scores which is computed by adding all the scores then dividing by the total number of scores.

median: this can be defined as the central score in a given set of numbers. The scores under test must be placed in a numerical order. Notably, it is less sensitive as it is not affected by the scores on extreme ends of the arrangement.

mode: this happens to be the most frequently occurring score in a given data. In some cases, it is used by the researcher to measure central tendency.

variability: this refers to the inclination of the distribution. Therefore, it indicates the degree to which the scores differ from each other.

correlation: this is the statistical index used to indicate the relation between two factors. Therefore, through one factor one can predict the effect it will have on the other and to what extent it will affect.

positive correlation: when the variables under research have a positive correlation they tend to move in the same direction. Therefore, if one is increased the other one also increases.

negative correlation: the variables in a negative correlation tend to take opposite direction in that an increase in one lead to a decrease in the other and vice versa.

statistical significance: this is a term used to indicate whether or not the difference obtained between groups under research can be attributed to chance. Notably, it also indicates whether the differences obtained may have resulted from experimental influences.

Describe the 6 steps of synaptic transmission (hint: page 81, fig. 3.7)

  • Synthesis- this is the primary step as it involves making the transmitter molecules from other chemicals.
  • Storage- on this stage, the extra transmitter molecules are put in storage to be utilized in cases when they are needed.
  • Release- the molecules in this step are let out into the space that exists between the axon terminal and dendrite.
  • Blinding- just like the key fits into a lock and opens it, this step involves the attachment of transmitter molecules to receptors molecule on the dendrite and thereby causing it to change.
  • Removal- this stage involves getting rid of the molecules whereby they are taken back to the storage for recycle.
  • Breakdown- the transmitters are broken into inactive parts that can be reused in step one.

Briefly describe behaviours that have been linked to the following neurotransmitters: (hint: page 82)

acetylcholine: in the peripheral nervous system, it aids with the contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles. Therefore, a small imbalance can lead to the development of myasthenia gravis. This is a condition that causes muscle weakness and fatigue and thereby affecting the physical functioning of the body.

norepinephrine: this is a chemical that acts a neurotransmitter as it is classified among the catecholamine family. It is therefore, associated with arousal, attention and motivation as it affects the behaviors of individual.

dopamine: this neurotransmitter aids the brain in controlling the rewards and pleasure centers. Additionally, since it regulates movement and responses it allows the body to identify a reward and move towards it to obtain it.

serotonin: this neurotransmitter helps in various systems of the body and thereby works to regulate mood, appetite, sleep memory and learning.

endorphins: the neurotransmitter helps to carry signals across a nerve synapse thereby is utilized in activities such as exercise, laughter, sex and dancing.