AP Psych Guide Flashcards

Broca's Area

Part of the left frontal lobe associated with expressive aphasia and the ability to speak.

Wernicke's Area

Located in the left temporal lobe, this area is related to the comprehension of language; destruction leads to receptive aphasia.

Lesions

Precise destruction of brain tissue that allows for the study of function loss due to surgical removal or chemical applications.

EEG

An electroencephalogram is a test that detects electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A type of MRI that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Neurons

The basic structural and functional units of the nervous system that transmit information throughout the body.

Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses, influencing various brain functions.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when it is not firing, characterized by a more negative charge inside the cell compared to the outside.

Action Potential

A rapid rise and fall in voltage across a neuronal membrane that allows the transmission of signals along the axon.

Saltatory Conduction

The process where action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to another along myelinated axons, increasing conduction speed.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Endocrine System

A system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions.

Cognitive Appraisal Theory

A theory that explains how individuals evaluate and respond to stressors based on their perceptions.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The study of how psychological factors, the nervous system, and the immune system interact and influence each other.

Cognitive Dissonance

Mental discomfort experienced when one's beliefs and actions are not aligned, leading to an adjustment in beliefs or behaviors.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational theory that proposes a hierarchy of human needs, from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired, resulting in a conditioned response to the neutral stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Social Learning Theory

A theory suggesting that behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships between humans.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's belief in their inherent ability to achieve goals and perform in specific situations.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.

Stressors

Events or conditions that trigger stress responses in individuals.

Heritability

The extent to which genetic factors contribute to variations in a trait among individuals in a population.

Deviant Behavior

Behavior that deviates from societal norms and expectations.

Dispositional Attribution

Attributing behavior to internal characteristics or qualities as opposed to external situational factors.

Situational Attribution

Attributing behavior to external factors or contexts rather than personal characteristics.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and ignore situational factors in judging others' behavior.

Actor-Observer Bias

The tendency to attribute one's own actions to external factors while attributing others’ actions to internal factors.

Psychsomatic Disorders

Conditions in which psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms.