Psychology Defined: History and Theories
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science that studies the behavior of individuals and their mental processes. This includes internal processes of individuals and the influences that occur in their physical and social environment. The reasons for studying human actions include understanding the reasoning of the mind, mental disorders, and behavior.
Aristotle and the Psyche
Aristotle proposed a unity between body and soul (psyche), distinguishing two parts:
- The higher part, called Nous (reasoning
Polynomial Factoring Methods Explained
Case I: Common Factor Factoring
Removing the common factor involves identifying the greatest common factor (GCF) shared by all terms in a polynomial (binomial, trinomial, etc.). The GCF consists of the greatest common divisor of the numerical coefficients and the common variables raised to their smallest exponents. Factoring out the GCF simplifies the polynomial.
Common Monomial Factor
This involves finding a single term (monomial) that is a factor of every term in the polynomial.
Common Factor by Grouping
Read MoreUnderstanding Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health
Stress Responses
The stress response begins when an individual perceives a stressor or threat.
What Happens in the Body
The hypothalamus activates, and the sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of stress hormones.
Basis of Stress Response
- Mobilization of energy
- Inhibition of non-essential functions
- Cortisol release
- Return to homeostasis
- Recovery and adaptation
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Alarm stage: The initial reaction to a stressor. The body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response is activated.
Understanding fMRI: BOLD Signal, Design, and Analysis
Conceptual Issues in fMRI
Understanding the BOLD Signal
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a measurement technique, not a method for manipulation. It measures changes in blood oxygen levels, reflecting the Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal, rather than direct neural activity.
The BOLD signal is correlational, not causal. This means observed activity might be a byproduct (an epiphenomenon) rather than directly causing the cognitive process under study. While fMRI is a useful tool,
Read MoreMastering Market Research: Trends, Analytics, and Questionnaire Design
Emerging Societal Trends and Market Research
Emerging Societal Trends: Sharing: People enjoy sharing and benefit from it (e.g., Airbnb, Uber). Dialogue and Co-creation: Increased e-commerce and online communities facilitate customer communication, cooperation, and information sharing.
Descriptive Analytics
Links the market to the firm through information, helping managers make actionable decisions. Principles involve systematically collecting and interpreting data to aid decision-makers.
Descriptive
Neuron Structure, Brain Lobes, Limbic System & Nervous System
Neuron Structure and Function
Dendrites: Extensions from the neuron cell body that take information to the cell body.
Nucleus: Part of the neuron that contains chromosomes (genetic material).
Cell Body: Also called the soma. The part of the cell that contains the nucleus.
Myelin: Fatty substance that surrounds some axons. Speeds up conduction velocity of action potentials.
Node of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelination of axons.
Axon: The part of the neuron that takes information away from the cell body.
Synaptic
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