Ap Psych Cumulative Quiz (1st 9 Weeks)

Scientific Method

Objective system of gathering data so that bias and errors are reduced

Hypothesis

A testable prediction as to what will occur under certain circumstances

Replication

Repeating a study or experiment to see if the same results are obtained so as to determine the validity of those results

Naturalistic Observation

The researcher observes people or animals in their natural state without them knowing they are being watched

Observer Effect

The tendency of people to act differently when they know they are being watched (Hawthorne effect)

Observer Bias

The tendency of observers to see what they expect to see

Case Study

The study of one individual in great detail

Survey

Gathering information by asking people to answer a series of questions

Representative Sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

Population

The entire group of people or animals that the researcher is interested in learning about

Correlation Study

Studying two or more variables to see if a change in one produces changes in another

Correlation Coefficient

A measure of the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables

Experiment

Situation in which one variable is manipulated while all others are controlled in order to determine if that variable is causing a change in another variable.

Independent Variable

The variable being manipulated by the experimenter

Dependent Variable

The variable being measured in an experiment

Operational Definition

Exact procedures of a variable which enables it to be measured

Experimental Group

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment or the independent variable, the critical part of the experiment

Control Group

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment; may get a placebo.

Random Assignment

participants in an experiment are placed into either the experimental or control group

Placebo Effect

Situation in which one experiences something simply because of the expectation that it would occur; power of suggestion

Single Blind Study

Experiment in which the participants in an experiment are unaware of who is in the experimental or control groups

Double Blind Study

Experiment in which neither the participants nor the researcher knows who is in the experimental or control groups

Experimenter Bias

Situation in which a participant's experience is shaped by the experimenter's expectations of them

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to believe, after learning of an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Theory

An explanation using an organized set of principles based on observation

Sampling Bias

A flawed sampling process (not random) that results in a sample that is not representative of the population being studied

Scatterplot

A graphed cluster of dots which can be used to illustrate potential relationship between two variables

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables when none exists

Confounding Variable

In an experiment, any variable other than the independent variable which might affect the dependent variable causing results to be flawed

Debriefing

An ethical guideline which requires participants be told the real nature of the research after the experiment, especially if participants were lied to as part of the experiment

Random Sample

method of selecting from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected

Statistical Significance

how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Neuron

The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that sends and receives messages within that system

Dendrites

Branchlike structures of the neuron that receive messages from other neurons

Soma

The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell (contains the nucleus)

Axon

Tubelike structure that carries the neural message away from the cell body to the terminals

Myelin

Coating which protects the axon and facilitates the speed of electrical impulses traveling across the axon

Nerves

Bundles of axons coated by myelin that travel together through the body

Action Potential

When a neuron is fires creating an electric impulse which travels across the axon causing the terminal knobs to release a neurotransmitter

All-or-None Response

The fact that a neuron either fires at full strength or not at all when the amount of neurotransmitter in the synapse reaches its threshold

Synaptic Knob

Rounded areas at the axon terminals containing vesicles; aka synaptic bulb or button

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that, when released, has an effect on the next cell

Synapse

The junction between the axon of one cell and the dendrites of the next cell

Agonists

Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effect of a neurotransmitter on receptor sites

Antagonists

Chemical substances that inhibit or block the effect of a cell's response to a neurotransmitter

Acetylcholine

Excitatory neurotransmitter that enables muscle movement, learning and memory, also known as ACh

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter which influences fine motor movement, pleasure and emotion

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter which affects mood, sleep and motivation

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter important for keeping muscles still during sleep

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory formation and learning

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

Consists of all the motor and sensory neurons sending and receiving messages between the brain/spinal cord and the rest of the body

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that operates involuntarily and controls our organs and life functions

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that operates conscious, voluntary movement and sensation

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for arousing our body in times of stress

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system which restores our "normal" state after a stress reaction

Interneurons

Tiny neurons within the brain and spinal cord that process that communicate between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the body

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Neurons that receive information through the body's senses and relay that information to the central nervous system

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters which act as our body's natural “pain killers”

Reuptake

The reabsorption of leftover neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Vesicles

Containers that hold neurotransmitters

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that cause the next neuron to increase firing

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that block the next neuron from firing

Phrenology

The practice of examining bumps on a person's skull to determine that person's intellect and character traits

Plasticity

Ability of the brain to change structure and function in response to damage

Lesioning

Using a thin electrical wire to destroy specific brain cells

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Records brain-wave patterns produced by electrical activity of the surface of the brain

Computed Tomography Scan (CT)

Images the brain using computer controlled X-rays of the brain; can reveal brain damage

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Reveals bloodflow in the brain by comparing successive MRI scans; shows brain function and structure (looks like an animated video)

Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET)

Images the brain by injecting radioactive sugar into the patient to help create a color-coded computer image of the brain at work

Medulla

First large swelling at the top of the spinal cord; responsible for life-sustaining functions like heartbeat and breathing

Pons

Links the lower and upper brains and associated with sleep and dreaming and some coordination

Reticular Formation

Area of neurons in the lower brain that are responsible for alertness level, attention and arousal

Cerebellum

Lower brain structure that controls muscle memory, balance and fine motor control

Limbic System

Group of structures in the mid-brain involved in learning, emotion, memory and motivation

Thalamus

Limbic system structure that relays all sensory information (except smell) from sensory organs to the brain

Hypothalamus

Limbic system structure responsible for urges like hunger, thirst, sex and regulating homeostasis

Hippocampus

Limbic system structure responsible for the formation of new memories and recalling long-term memories

AMYGDALA!

Two pea-size limbic system structures associated with emotions like fear and aggression

Brainstem

Group of structures in the lower brain including the medulla, reticular formation and cerebellum - mostly responsible for life support

Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish and protect neurons

Frontal Lobes

Located in the front of the brain, they process higher level thinking and voluntary muscle movement (motor cortex)

Parietal Lobes

Located behind the frontal lobes, they process body sensations (somatosensory cortex)

Occipital Lobes

Located in the back of the brain, they process vision (visual cortex)

Temporal Lobes

Located on either side of the brain they process hearing (auditory cortex)

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain consisting of a left and right hemisphere each with four lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal)

Brocas Area

Association area on the left motor cortex in the frontal lobe that is involved in making speech

Wernickes Area

Association area on the left temporal lobe involved with processing the meaning of language

Aphasia

Damage to a brain area

Endocrine System

All of the glands of the body and the hormones they produce

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are produced by glands and travel through the bloodstream

Adrenal Glands

Located just above the kidneys, they secrete stress hormones (adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine) that arouse the body for action

Pituitary Gland

Our "master gland" located in the limbic system, it regulates growth and controls all other glands

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them; this is severed in split brain patients

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Neural Networks

Networks of nerve cells that integrate sensory input and motor output

Sensation

Process that occurs when sensory receptor cells are stimulated by outside stimuli

Transduction

The conversion of outside stimuli (i.e. light or sound waves) into neural energy

Perception

The process in which our brain organizes and interprets stimuli for meaning and interpretation