AP psych help

Critical Thinking

Evaluating evidence logically and skeptically.

twisted to facts

Confirmation Bias

Favoring info that supports existing beliefs.

twisted to one’s own beliefs

Falsifiability

Ability of a claim to be disproven.

Operational Definition

Precise, measurable definition of a variable.

Structured Interviews

Standardized questions asked to all participants.

Social Desirability Bias

Answering to look good, not truthful.

Sampling Bias

Sample not representative of population.

Random Sampling

Every member has equal chance of selection.

Correlation Coefficient

Number (−1 to +1) showing strength/direction of relationship.

Illusory Correlation

Perceiving a relationship that doesn’t exist.

Third Variable Problem

Unmeasured variable causes correlation.

Random Assignment

Equal chance of being in any experimental group.

Independent Variable

Variable manipulated by researcher.

Dependent Variable

Outcome measured.

Self-Report Bias

Inaccurate answers on surveys/interviews.

Validity

Measures what it claims to measure.

Reliability

Consistent results over time.

Measure of Central Tendency

Mean, median, mode.

Median Graphs

Middle score shown visually.

Regression to the Mean

Extreme scores move toward average.

Measure of Variability

Spread of data.

Standard Deviation

Average distance from mean.

Statistical Significance

Results unlikely due to chance.

Effect Size

Strength of the relationship or difference.

Resting Potential

Neuron’s inactive, negative charge.

Depolarization

Positive ions enter neuron, firing begins.

Oversupply

Excess neurotransmitters.

Undersupply

Insufficient neurotransmitters.

Temporal Lobe

Hearing, language, memory.

Brainstem

Automatic survival functions.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls breathing and heart rate.

Reticular Formation

Arousal and alertness.

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right hemispheres.

Stimulants

Increase CNS activity (caffeine, cocaine).

Depressants

Decrease CNS activity (alcohol).

Hallucinogens

Alter perception (LSD).

Opiates

Pain relief, euphoria (heroin).

Nicotine

Stimulant; increases alertness.

Alcohol

Depressant; impairs judgment.

Marijuana (THC)

Mild hallucinogen; relaxant.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus detected 50% of time.

Difference Threshold

Smallest detectable difference.

Color Vision Deficiency

Inability to distinguish some colors.

Blindsight

Responding to visual stimuli without awareness.

Parallel Processing

Processing multiple features at once.

Color Constancy

Perceiving consistent color despite lighting.

Place Theory

Pitch based on cochlear location.

Frequency Theory

Pitch based on firing rate.

Volley Principle

Groups of neurons alternate firing.

Vestibular Sense

Balance and head movement.

Explicit Memory Location

Hippocampus, frontal lobes.

Implicit Memory Location

Cerebellum, basal ganglia.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Linking new info to meaning.

Shallow Processing

Focus on appearance or sound.

Memory Consolidation

Stabilizing memories over time.

Encoding Specificity Principle

Recall improves when context matches.

Source Amnesia

Forgetting origin of memory.

Reconsolidation

Memory altered when recalled.

Repression

Unconscious blocking of traumatic memories.

Factor Analysis

Identifies clusters of related abilities.

Fluid Intelligence

Problem solving, reasoning.

Crystallized Intelligence

Knowledge, skills.

Analytical Intelligence

Academic problem-solving.

Creative Intelligence

Novel solutions.

Practical Intelligence

Real-world intelligence.

Achievement Test

Measures learned knowledge.

Aptitude Test

Predicts future performance.

Habituation

Decreased response to repeated stimulus.

Infantile Amnesia

Inability to recall early childhood.

Pruning

Elimination of unused neural connections.

Myelin Growth

Faster neural transmission.

Ecological Systems

Layers of environmental influence.

Authoritarian Parenting

Strict, low warmth.

Authoritative Parenting

Firm but supportive.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic early events.

Harlow’s Monkey Study

Comfort over nourishment.

Imprinting

Early attachment formation.

Strange Situation

Assesses attachment.

Secure Attachment

Comforted by caregiver.

Insecure Attachment

Lack of security.

Anxious Attachment

Clingy, distressed.

Disorganized/Fearful Attachment

Confused, fearful behavior.

Universal Grammar

Inborn language rules.

Productive Language

Speaking ability.

Telegraphic Speech

Two-word phrases.

Overgeneralization

Applying rules too broadly.