AP Psychology Unit 0-5 Comprehensive Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering vocabulary terms from Unit 0 (Research Methods) through Unit 5 (Mental Health) based on the provided AP Psychology Study Guide.

Experiment

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

Case Study

A non-experimental research method in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Operational definition

A carefully worded statement about the exact procedure used in a research study and a clear definition of the variables involved.

Confounding variables

In an experiment, factors other than the factor being studied that may influence the study’s results.

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it; also known as the "I knew it all along!" phenomenon.

P-Value (Statistical significance)

The probability that the observed findings of a study are due to chance; typically significant if it is very low (p < 0.05).

Standard deviation

A measure of how scores vary around the mean score; a low value indicates data is clustered tightly, while a high value indicates data is spread out.

Neuron

a nerve cell

All-or-Nothing Principle

The principle that once a neuron’s threshold is reached, it will fire an action potential at full strength or not fire at all.

Depolarization

The process during the action potential when sodium ions ($Na^+$) rush into the neuron, making the inside of the cell more positive compared to the outside.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron after transmitting a signal across the synapse.

Dopamine

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control; high levels are linked to schizophrenia, while low levels are linked to Parkinson's.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and are associated with feelings of euphoria and well-being.

Agonist Drugs

Chemicals that bind to receptors in the brain and mimic the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist Drugs

Drugs that block or inhibit the action of neurotransmitters by binding to their receptors.

Corpus callosum

The large band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Hippocampus

The part of the brain involved in forming new memories.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning or injury.

Broca’s Area

An area in the frontal lobe associated with speech production; damage causes difficulty speaking while understanding remains intact.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep; a paradoxical stage where brain waves are similar to wakefulness but the body is most relaxed; where most dreaming occurs.

Transduction

The process of converting physical sensory information into neural signals.

Weber’s Law

The principle that the just noticeable difference is proportional to the initial stimulus.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that are sensitive to low light and allow for night vision.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina that detect color and work best in bright environments.

Gate Control Theory

A theory suggesting the spinal cord contains a neurological "gate" that can either block or allow pain signals to reach the brain.

Top-Down Processing

A perception process that starts with the brain, using existing knowledge, experiences, or expectations to interpret sensory information.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that help us make decisions or solve problems efficiently, though they do not guarantee a solution.

Functional fixedness

The tendency to perceive objects only in terms of their usual function, which can limit creative thinking.

Explicit Memory

Memory that requires conscious thought, such as remembering facts (semantic) and events (episodic).

Implicit Memory

Memory that does not require conscious effort to recall, such as skills and habits (procedural).

Long-term Potentiation

A long-lasting strengthening of synapses in the brain, thought to be a mechanism for learning and memory.

Retroactive interference

When new information interferes with the ability to recall older information.

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

A numerical score on a test designed to measure human intelligence relative to others.

Object permanence

The understanding, acquired in the sensorimotor stage, that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Conservation

The understanding that the quantity of an object remains the same despite changes in its shape or appearance.

Zone of proximal development

The range of tasks a child can perform with the help of a more knowledgeable person but not yet alone.

Authoritative (Parenting Style)

A balanced parenting style characterized by high control (rule-setting) and high warmth (explanation and listening).

Classical Conditioning

A learning process in which an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that evokes a reflexive response.

Operant Conditioning

A form of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences such as reinforcements and punishments.

Fundamental attribution error (FAE)

The tendency to overestimate the influence of personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when judging others’ behavior.

Cognitive dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs or engaging in behavior that conflicts with one's beliefs.

Groupthink

When a desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decision-making because members suppress disagreeing views.

Egocentrism

The inability to take another person's perspective, often seen in young children or through the adolescent "imaginary audience."

Big 5 Theory of Personality (OCEAN)

A model identifying five key traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Interactions model suggesting mental disorders result from a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) triggered by environmental stress.

Negative Symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that take something normal away, such as flat affect, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal.

Positive Symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that add something abnormal, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

The most common therapy that combines cognitive restructuring (changing thoughts) with behavior change techniques.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications causing involuntary movements like lip smacking or twitching.