Unit 0-3 Midterm AP Psychology

Psychodynamic

A historical perspective used by Freud to explain the unconscious's influence on behavior.

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

Humanistic psychology

A historically significant perspective that emphasizes the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth.

Cognitive

The perspective that focuses on brain functioning including perception, thinking, memory, and language.

Biological (Neuroscience)

A perspective that focuses on how brain chemistry, genes, and hormones impact behavior.

Social-cultural

A perspective that focuses on the impacts of our culture, family, friends, and society.

Evolutionary

A perspective that focuses on the impacts of our ancestors on behavior.

Confidentiality

Personal information about subjects that is never to be shared.

Informed Consent

Subjects must give written consent to participate in an experiment.

Case study

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Survey

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample.

Population

All the cases in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn.

Random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Representative sample

A subset of the population carefully chosen to represent the proportionate diversity of the population.

Naturalistic observation

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process.

Operational definition

Specifically names the operations that the experimenter must use to control or measure variables.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance to minimize differences.

Double-blind procedure

An experimental procedure in which both participants and staff are ignorant about treatment or placebo assignments.

Placebo

A pseudo treatment used in drug studies.

Placebo effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that is exposed to the treatment.

Control group

The group in an experiment that is not exposed to the treatment.

Independent variable (IV)

The experimental factor that is manipulated.

Dependent variable (DV)

The experimental factor that is being measured.

Confounding variable

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Median

The middle score in a distribution.

Standard deviation

A measure of how much scores vary around the mean.

Normal curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data.

Statistical significance

A statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two things.

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots representing values of two variables.

Twin Biology

Study the effects of heredity and environment on identical and fraternal twins.

Separated Twins Similarities

Commonalities found in personality, intelligence, interests, etc., among separated twins.

Nature vs Nurture

The debate about the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on psychological traits.

Neuron

Nerve cells that communicate information in the body.

Dendrites

Branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

The long extension of a neuron that transmits messages to other neurons.

Action potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

All-or-None Response

A neuron's firing is a full response or no response.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released from a sending neuron that transmit signals to receiving neurons.

Reuptake

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron.

Agonist

A chemical that mimics or enhances neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

A chemical that inhibits neurotransmitter action.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that regulate the perception of pleasure and pain.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter associated with movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, and sleep.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls glands and other muscles.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the ANS that arouses the body in stressful situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the ANS that calms the body after a threat.

Endocrine System

The body's chemical communication system that uses hormones.

Hormones

Chemicals that affect the brain and other tissues.

fMRI

A technique that produces images while performing tasks to study brain activity.

Medulla

The base of the brainstem that regulates heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

The brain's sensory switchboard that directs messages to sensory areas.

Cerebellum

The structure that coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Limbic System

Associated with emotions and drives for food and sex.

Amygdala

Neural clusters linked to emotions of fear and anger.

Hippocampus

A structure responsible for the formation of new explicit memories.

Hypothalamus

Regulates maintenance activities like eating and drinking.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in reasoning, movement, and emotions.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in perception and recognition of auditory stimuli.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for visual processing.

Parietal Lobe

Responsible for processing touch and pain.

Aphasia

An impairment of language.

Broca’s Area

Controls the physical activity of speaking.

Wernicke’s Area

Controls language comprehension.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to modify itself after injury.

Psychoactive drugs

Chemicals that alter perception and mood.

Depressants

Drugs that slow neural activity.

Stimulant drugs

Substances that excite neural activity.

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions.

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and the environment.

Circadian rhythm

The biological clock that regulates sleep and wakefulness.

REM sleep

The sleep stage during which vivid dreams occur.

Insomnia

Recurring problems with falling or staying asleep.

Dream

Sequences of images and emotions occurring during sleep.

Sensation

The process of receiving and representing stimulus energies.

Bottom-up processing

Information processing that begins with sensory receptors.

Top-down processing

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes.

Transduction

The conversion of one form of energy into another.

Absolute threshold

The minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Sensory adaptation

Diminished sensitivity due to constant stimulation.

Pupil

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye.

Accommodation

The eye's lens changing shape to focus on objects.

Retina

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye.

Rods

Retinal receptors sensitive to movement and low light.

Cones

Retinal receptors for color and fine detail.

Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory

Theory that color perception is based on three types of cones.

Opponent-process theory

Theory that color vision is enabled by opposing retinal processes.

Cochlea

The coiled, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear that triggers nerve impulses.

Basilar membrane

Part of the cochlea covered in hair cells that trigger auditory nerve impulses.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve.

Conduction hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system conducting sound.