Unit 2 AP Psychology

Binocular Depth Cues

Visual cues for depth perception that require both eyes, including retinal disparity and convergence.

Retinal Disparity

The slight difference in images between the two eyes, which helps in depth perception.

Convergence

The inward movement of the eyes as they focus on a closer object, aiding in depth perception.

Monocular Depth Cues

Depth cues that can be perceived with one eye, including relative clarity, size, and linear perspective.

Perceptual Constancies

The ability to perceive objects as stable despite changes in sensory input, such as size and shape constancy.

Apparent Movement

Illusions of motion where none exists, experienced in certain visual stimuli.

Schemas

Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adjusting one’s schemas to fit new information.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution to a problem.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making but may lead to errors.

Cognitive Biases

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Gambler’s Fallacy

The belief that past random events affect the probabilities in the present.

Sunk-Cost Fallacy

The decision to continue an endeavor based on prior investments of time, money, or resources.

Executive Functions

Cognitive processes that include planning, organizing, and critical thinking.

Creativity

The ability to produce ideas that are both novel and valuable; diverges into divergent vs. convergent thinking.

Explicit Memory

Memory that involves conscious recollection, including episodic and semantic memory.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious retention of information, such as skills and tasks.

Encoding

The process of transforming information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storage

The retention of encoded information over time.

Retrieval

The process of accessing and bringing stored information into consciousness.

Rehearsal

A memory strategy that involves repeating information to improve retention.

Chunking

The process of grouping items together to enhance memory retention.

Long-term Potentiation (LTP)

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

Central Executive

The part of working memory that directs attention and processing.

Phonological Loop

The component of working memory that processes verbal and auditory information.

Visuospatial Sketchpad

The part of working memory responsible for handling visual and spatial information.

Recall

Retrieving information without the aid of cues.

Recognition

Identifying previously learned information from options presented.

Encoding Failure

Inability to recall specific information because it was not encoded into long-term memory.

Retrieval Failure

Inability to access information from long-term memory, often due to the absence of cues.

Proactive Interference

When older memories prevent the retrieval of newer information.

Retroactive Interference

When new information inhibits the retrieval of older memories.

Decay Theory

The idea that memories fade over time if they are not used.

Repressed Memories

Memories that are unconsciously blocked due to their association with high levels of stress or trauma.

False Memories

Memories that individuals believe to be true but are actually distorted or fabricated.

Intelligence Testing

Assessments designed to measure cognitive abilities, including validity and reliability.

Cultural Biases in IQ Testing

The tendency of IQ tests to favor certain cultural groups over others.

The Flynn Effect

The observed rise in IQ scores over generations, attributed to various environmental factors.

Mindsets

Beliefs about one's abilities; a fixed mindset views intelligence as static, while a growth mindset sees it as malleable.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

An economic and sociological combined total measure of a person's work experience and of an individual's or family’s economic and social position in relation to others.