Difficult Topics for Midterm One Psychology 100 Winter 2008

Neurotransmitters Students always have trouble with Neurotransmitters…unfortunately you must memorize them and make memory gimmicks that make sense to you See page 91 or the chart on Anna’s website!

Theories of Intelligence Spearman’s Idea’s G factor (general intelligence) General cognitive abilities S Factor (special intelligence) Special information and skills need for a particular task

Theories of Intelligence Cont. Cattell Fluid Intelligence: Basic power of reasoning and problem solving Example: When you start a new job, fluid intelligence gives you the ability to learn the new skills at the new job. Crystallized intelligence: Specific knowledge gained as a result of applying fluid intelligence; produced verbal comprehension and skill at manipulating numbers Example: Skills you have acquired over a long period of time at a particular job. One can think of these as amature (fluid) verses expert (crystallized)

Theories of Intelligence Cont. Triarchic Theory of Intelligence Analytic- book smart  Traditional, academically oriented ability Creative- thinking outside of the box  draw on past experience to deal with novel situations Practical- street smarts  day to day problem solving

Theories of Intelligence Cont. Multiple Intelligences Linguistic: Good vocabulary and reading comprehension Logical-Mathematical: Arithmetic and reasoning Spatial: Relationships between objects (usually think in pictures) Enjoy maps, charts, pictures, movies, etc. Musical: Rhythm, tempo, and sound identification Body-Kinesthetic: Dancing, athletics, hand/eye coordination

Theories of Intelligence Cont. Multiple Intelligences Intrapersonal: Self-understanding (Dr. Phil) Relate and understand other people Try to see things for another persons perspective Interpersonal: Understanding of others Self-reflection Try to understand their dreams and relationships with people Naturalistic: See patterns in nature Emotional: Perceptions of emotions

Aphasias Broca’s: production not comprehension Grammatically incorrect Wernicke’s: comprehension not production Word salad

Stages of Cognitive Development Piagets Theory Sensorimotor Stage (birth – 2 yrs)- mental activity confined to sensory perception and motor skills Object permanence A not B error Preoperational Stage (2-7 yrs)- begins to use symbols to represent things that are not present (words, images, and symbols represent world…..imaginary play) Egocentrism Animism Conservation -irreversibility - centration

Stages of Cognitive Development Piagets Theory Concrete Operational (7-11yrs)- a child's thinking is no longer dominated by visual appearance (understand conservation, able to reverse, simple logic) Formal Operational Stage (11+ yrs)- Abstract thinking (hypothetical (scientific) reasoning develops)

Peripheral Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System- parts of the nervous system not housed in bone. Somatic- Transmits info from senses to the CNS and carries signals from CNS to the muscles Autonomic- (memory gimmick- automatic) Regulates involuntary function (heart rate, BP, digestion, ect.) Sympathetic or Parasympathetic Fall under the autonomic system

Peripheral Nervous System Sympathetic mobilizes body for action FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE Parasympathetic helps body conserve energy and calms body down after fight or flight

Approaches to Psychology Recognize the difference between approaches and subfields Biological- Biological factors affect behavior and mental events Evolutionary- Behavior is a result of evolution and natural selection Psychodynamic- Behavior is the result of unconscious conflicts Behavioral- Behavior is the result of learning Cognitive- Thoughts and mental processes are important Humanistic- Behavior is determined by an individual’s unique thoughts and actions

Message to Students These are just a few topics that students had trouble with previous quarters. Be aware that this is not all the information on these topics, instead they are just guidelines to help you study. Good luck on the exam! Anne Hereda Course Assistant Psychology 100