Genes are sequences of DNA that code for a particular trait. Different versions of a gene are called alleles—sometimes alleles can be classified as dominant or recessive. A dominant allele always results in the dominant phenotype. In order to exhibit a recessive phenotype, an individual must be homozygous for the recessive allele. Genes affect both…
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Identify the major glands of the endocrine system
– Identify the hormones secreted by each gland
– Describe each hormone’s role in regulating bodily functions
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Explain the functions of the spinal cord
– Identify the hemispheres and lobes of the brain
– Describe the types of techniques available to clinicians and researchers to image or scan the brain
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Describe the difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems
– Explain the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
– Differentiate between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Identify the basic parts of a neuron
– Describe how neurons communicate with each other
– Explain how drugs act as agonists or antagonists for a given neurotransmitter system
By the end of this section, you will be able to: – Explain the basic principles of the theory of evolution by natural selection – Describe the differences between genotype and phenotype – Discuss how gene-environment interactions are critical for expression of physical and psychological characteristics
Scientists are engaged in explaining and understanding how the world around them works, and they are able to do so by coming up with theories that generate hypotheses that are testable and falsifiable. Theories that stand up to their tests are retained and refined, while those that do not are discarded or modified. In this…
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Discuss how research involving human subjects is regulated
– Summarize the processes of informed consent and debriefing
– Explain how research involving animal subjects is regulated
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Explain what a correlation coefficient tells us about the relationship between variables
– Recognize that correlation does not indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between variables
– Discuss our tendency to look for relationships between variables that do not really exist
– Explain random sampling…
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
– Describe the different research methods used by psychologists
– Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys, and archival research
– Compare longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches to research
– Compare and contrast correlation and causation