PSYC 1020 Final Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to the final exam for PSYC 1020, offering definitions and explanations to aid in understanding and retention.

Correlational Study

A research method used to determine the relationship between two variables.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Habituation

A simple form of learning where an organism reduces its response to a repetitive stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without any prior learning.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency for the conditioned response to be elicited by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

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

Positive Reinforcement

Increases a behavior by adding a rewarding stimulus.

Negative Reinforcement

Increases a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Immediate Reinforcement

Reinforcement given right after the desired behavior, enhancing effectiveness.

Neural Impulse

An electrical signal that travels down the neuron.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Long Term Potentiation

The long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them simultaneously.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex thought processes.

Hippocampus

A brain structure crucial for the formation of new memories.

Episodic Memory

The ability to recall specific events or experiences.

Semantic Memory

The storage of facts and knowledge about the world.

Intelligence

The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations.