AP Psychology Review Flashcards

Flashcards for AP Psychology Exam Preparation

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation that must be falsifiable, able to be supported or rejected.

Operational Definition

A clear, precise, quantifiable definition of variables, allowing replication and reliable data collection.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data, such as eye color.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data, ideal and necessary for statistics.

Population

Everyone the research could apply to.

Sample

The people specifically chosen for a study.

Correlation

Identifies the relationship between two variables.

Directionality Problem

The issue of determining which direction a correlation goes.

Third Variable Problem

A different variable is responsible for the relationship.

Positive Correlation

Variables increase and decrease together.

Negative Correlation

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

Experiment

Purposefully manipulate variables to determine cause/effect.

Independent Variable

Variable purposefully altered by the researcher.

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment (part of IV).

Control Group

Placebo or baseline (part of the IV).

Dependent Variable

The measured variable, dependent on the independent variable.

Placebo Effect

Observed effect caused by the placebo.

Double-Blind Study

Experiment where neither participant nor experimenter knows the condition.

Single-Blind Study

Only participant is blind.

Confound

Error/flaw accidentally introduced in the study.

Random Assignment

Assigns participants to control or experimental group at random.

Naturalistic Observation

Observe people in their natural settings.

Case Study

Studies ONE person in great detail.

Meta-Analysis

Combines multiple studies to increase sample size.

Descriptive Statistics

Shows the shape of the data.

Mean

Average (use in normal distribution).

Median

Middle number (use in skewed distribution).

Mode

Occurs most often.

Range

Distance between smallest and biggest number.

Standard Deviation

Average amount scores are spread from the mean.

Inferential Statistics

Establishes significance (meaningfulness).

Statistical Significance

Results not due to chance, experimental manipulation caused the difference.

Effect Size

Data has practical significance.

Confidentiality

Names kept secret in a study.

Informed Consent

Participants must agree to be part of study.

Debriefing

Telling the true purpose of the study (done after deception).

Surveys

Subject to self-report bias.

Social Desirability

People lie to look good in surveys.

Wording Effects

How you frame the question can impact answers.

Random Sample

Everyone has a chance to take part, increases generalizability.

Representative Sample

Sample mimics the general population.

Convenience Sample

Select participants on availability.

Sampling Bias

Sample isn’t representative, due to conv. sampling.

Experimenter Bias

Experimenter expectations influences the outcome.

Participant Bias

Participant expectations influences the outcome.

Confirmation Bias

Find info that supports our preexisting beliefs.

Hindsight Bias

"I knew it all along".

Overconfidence

Overestimate our knowledge/abilities.

Hawthorne Effect

People change behavior when watched.

Evolutionary Psychology

Study how natural selection influences behavior.

Heredity

How genes influence your behavior.

Environment

How outside situations influence your behavior.

Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Rest of the nervous system, relays to Central NS.

Somatic Nervous System

Voluntary movement, has sensory and motor neurons.

Autonomic Nervous System

Involuntary organs (heart, lungs, etc.)

Sympathetic Nervous System

Fight/flight (generally activates).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Rest/digest (generally inhibits).

Neuron

Basic cell of the nervous system.

Dendrites

Receive incoming neurotransmitters.

Axon

Action potential travels down this.

Myelin Sheath

Speeds up action potential down axon, protects axon.

Synapse

Gap between neurons.

Sensory Neurons

Receive sense signals from environment, send signal to brain.

Motor Neurons

Signals to move, send signals from brain.

Interneurons

Cells in spinal coord/brain responsible for reflex arc.

Glia

Support cells; give nutrients and clean up around neurons.

Resting Potential

Neuron maintains a -70mv charge when not doing anything.

Depolarization

Charge of neuron briefly switches from neg to pos.

Threshold of Depolarization

Stimulus strength must reach this point to start the AP.

All or Nothing Principle

Stimulus must trigger the AP past its threshold.

Refractory Period

Neuron must rest and reset before it can send another AP.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released in synaptic gap, received by neurons.

GABA

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate

Major excitatory neurotransmitter.

Dopamine

Reward and fine movement.

Serotonin

Moods, emotion, sleep.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Memory and movement.

Norepinephrine

Sympathetic nervous system.

Endorphins

Decrease pain.

Hormones

Chemicals secreted by endocrine glands.

Oxytocin

Love, bonding, childbirth, lactation.

Adrenaline

Fight/flight.

Leptin

Makes you full (stops hunger).

Ghrelin

Makes you hungry.

Melatonin

Sleep.

Agonist

Drug that mimics a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

Drug that blocks a neurotransmitter.

Reuptake

Unused NTs are taken back up into the sending neuron.

Depressants

Decrease NS activity (alcohol).

Stimulants

Increase NS activity (caffeine & cocaine).

Hallucinogens

Hallucinations and altered perceptions (Marijuana).

Opioids

Relieve pain (endorphin agonists) (heroin).

Tolerance

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effects.

Addiction

Must have it to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal

Symptoms associated with sudden stoppage.

Cerebellum

Movement, balance, coordination, procedural memory.

Brainstem / Medulla

Vital organs (HR, BP, breathing).

Reticular Activating System

Alertness, arousal, sleep, eye movement.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer portion of the brain, higher order thought processes.