[PSYC 221] - Midterm Exam Guide - Ultimate 27 pages long Study Guide!

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The branch of psychology concerned with the scientific study of the mind. Creates & controls mental functions such as perception, attention, memory, emotions, language, deciding, thinking, & reasoning. Central role in determining our various mental abilities. A system that creates representations of the world so that we can act within it to achieve our goals. 1800s - belief that it is not possible to study the mind. The mental processes, such as perception, attention, & memory. Not possible for the mind to study itself. Idea that properties of mind cannot be measured. Interested in determining how long it takes for a person to make a decision. Reaction time how long it takes to respond to presentation of a stimulus. Simple reaction time subjects push a button as rapidly as possible when they saw a light go on. Presenting the stimulus (light) causes a mental response (perceiving the light), which leads to a behavioural response (pushing the button)