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MPTUO1a: Unit 3 Study Guide
Weeks 3, 4 and 5 / Unit 3
Review this study guide for Weeks 3, 4 and 5 / Unit 3 of the Introduction to Psychology course.
Unit 3 Study Guide
The following outline includes topics based on APA National Standards for the study of biological psychology. Use these standards as a checklist to make sure you’ve mastered this unit.
Biological Bases of Behavior Study Guide
Structure and function of the nervous system in human and non-human animals
- 1.1 Identify the major divisions and subdivisions of the human nervous system.
- 1.2 Identify the parts of the neuron and describe the basic process of neural transmission.
- 1.3 Differentiate between the structures and functions of the various parts of the central nervous system.
- 1.4 Describe lateralization of brain functions.
- 1.5 Discuss the mechanisms of and the importance of the plasticity of the nervous system.
Structure and function of the endocrine system
- 2.1 Describe how the endocrine glands are linked to the nervous system.
- 2.2 Describe the effects of hormones on behavior and mental processes.
- 2.3 Describe hormone effects on the immune system.
The interaction between biological factors and experience
- 3.1 Describe concepts in genetic transmission.
- 3.2 Describe the interactive effects of heredity and environment.
- 3.3 Explain how evolved tendencies influence behavior.
Methods and issues related to biological advances
- 4.1 Identify tools used to study the nervous system.
- 4.2 Describe advances made in neuroscience.
- 4.3 Discuss issues related to scientific advances in neuroscience and genetics.
Consciousness Study Guide
- The relationship between conscious and unconscious processes
- 1.1 Identify states of consciousness.
- 1.2 Distinguish between processing which is conscious (i.e., explicit) and other processing which happens without conscious awareness (i.e., implicit).
- Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep and dream
- 2.1 Describe the circadian rhythm and its relation to sleep.
- 2.2 Describe the sleep cycle.
- 2.3 Compare theories about the functions of sleep.
- 2.4 Describe types of sleep disorders.
- 2.5 Compare theories about the functions of dreams.
- Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
- 3.1 Characterize the major categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects.
- 3.2 Describe how psychoactive drugs act at the synaptic level.
- 3.3 Evaluate the biological and psychological effects of psychoactive drugs.
- 3.4 Explain how culture and expectations influence the use and experience of drugs.
- Other states of consciousness
- 4.1 Describe meditation and relaxation and their effects.
- 4.2 Describe hypnosis and controversies surrounding its nature and use.
- 4.3 Describe flow states.
Sensation and Perception Study Guide
- The processes of sensation and perception
- 1.1 Discuss processes of sensation and perception and how they interact.
- 1.2 Explain the concepts of threshold and adaptation.
- The capabilities and limitations of sensory processes
- 2.1 List forms of physical energy for which humans and non-human animals do and do not have sensory receptors.
- 2.2 Describe the visual sensory system.
- 2.3 Describe the auditory sensory system.
- 2.4 Describe other sensory systems, such as olfaction, gustation, and somesthesis (e.g., skin senses, kinesthesis, and vestibular sense).
- Interaction of the person and the environment in determining perception
- 3.1 Explain Gestalt principles of perception.
- 3.2 Describe binocular and monocular depth cues.
- 3.3 Describe the importance of perceptual constancies.
- 3.4 Describe perceptual illusions.
- 3.5 Describe the nature of attention.
- 3.6 Explain how experiences and expectations influence perception.
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Sources
- The American Psychological Association’s Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (APA TOPSS) course template.