AP Psychology Unit 1-6 Vocabulary

Psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Structuralism

Analyzing mind's structure via introspection (Wundt, Titchener).

Functionalism

How behavior helps adaptation (William James).

Humanistic Psychology

Personal growth, self-actualization (Maslow, Rogers).

Psychodynamic Psychology

Unconscious motives, childhood experiences (Freud).

Cognitive Psychology

Mental processes (memory, thinking, problem-solving).

Biological Psychology

Brain, nervous system, genetics influence behavior.

Evolutionary Psychology

Behavior shaped by natural selection.

Sociocultural Psychology

How culture and society influence behavior.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction.

Operational Definition

Clear measurable definition of variable.

Replication

Repeating study to confirm results.

Case Study

In-depth study of one individual/group.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in natural environment.

Neuron

Nerve cell sending/receiving messages.

Dendrites

Receive messages.

Axon

Carries messages away.

Soma (Cell Body)

Maintains neuron.

Myelin Sheath

Speeds transmission.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps for faster signal.

Axon Terminals

Release neurotransmitters.

Synapse

Gap between neurons.

Resting Potential

Neuron at inactive state.

Action Potential

Neuron firing.

All-or-None Principle

Fires fully or not.

Refractory Period

Recovery time.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Muscle movement, memory.

Dopamine

Movement, reward, motivation.

Serotonin

Mood, sleep, appetite.

Norepinephrine

Alertness, arousal.

GABA

Inhibitory, calms brain.

Glutamate

Excitatory, learning, memory.

Endorphins

Pain relief, pleasure.

CNS

Brain and spinal cord.

PNS

All nerves outside CNS.

Somatic NS

Voluntary movement.

Autonomic NS

Involuntary functions.

Sympathetic NS

Fight or flight.

Parasympathetic NS

Calms body.

Endocrine System

Hormone glands.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland, growth hormone.

Adrenal Glands

Stress hormones.

Thyroid

Metabolism.

Pancreas

Blood sugar regulation.

Medulla

Heartbeat, breathing.

Pons

Sleep, arousal.

Cerebellum

Coordination, balance.

Sensation

Detecting stimuli.

Perception

Interpreting stimuli.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum detectable stimulus.

Difference Threshold

Smallest detectable change.

Signal Detection Theory

Detection depends on context.

Rods

Black/white, low light.

Cones

Color, detail.

Fovea

Sharpest vision.

Cochlea

Hair cells for hearing.

Place Theory

Pitch via cochlea location.

Frequency Theory

Pitch via firing rate.

Vestibular Sense

Balance, head position.

Kinesthetic Sense

Body position/movement.

Figure-Ground

Distinguish object from background.

Gestalt Principles

Similarity, proximity, continuity, closure.

Depth Perception

Binocular (retinal disparity), monocular (linear perspective).

Perceptual Illusions

Misinterpretation of sensory input.

Taste (Gustation)

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami.

Smell (Olfaction)

Chemical sense.

Touch

Pressure, temperature, pain.

Pain

Gate-control theory.

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to constant stimulus.

Circadian Rhythms

24-hour biological cycles.

Sleep Stages

NREM 1-3, REM.

REM Rebound

Increased REM after deprivation.

Insomnia

Trouble falling/staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden sleep attacks.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruption.

Night Terrors

Deep sleep arousal, no memory.

Dreams

Freud (wish fulfillment), Activation-Synthesis.

Hypnosis

Focused attention, suggestibility.

Psychoactive Drugs

Stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, opiates.

Stimulants

Increase neural activity (caffeine, cocaine).

Depressants

Decrease neural activity (alcohol).

Hallucinogens

Alter perception (LSD, marijuana).

Opiates

Pain relief, euphoria (heroin, morphine).

Meditation

Focused attention, relaxation.

Mindfulness

Present awareness.

Tolerance

Decreased response to drug.

Withdrawal

Symptoms after stopping drug.

Dependence

Compulsive need for drug.

Addiction

Persistent, compulsive use despite harm.

Classical Conditioning

Learning via association (Pavlov).

UCS

Unconditioned stimulus.

UCR

Unconditioned response.

CS

Conditioned stimulus.

CR

Conditioned response.

Acquisition

Initial learning stage.

Extinction

Weakening of CR.

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of CR.

Generalization

Responding to similar stimuli.

Discrimination

Distinguishing between stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

Learning via reinforcement/punishment.