AP psych calmative vocab words

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

hindsight bias

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

Overconfidence

the tendency to be more confident than correct—to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments.

case study

an research technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

naturalistic observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

survey

a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Correlations (positive and negative)

a measure of the extent to which two variables change together. positive- two sets of scores rise or fall together. negative- two sets of scores relate inversely, one set goes up as the other goes down. does not indicate a cause-effect relationship

experiment

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

dependent variable

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

cognition

all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

positive psychology

the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

memory

the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information

Encoding

the processing of information into the memory system—for example, by extracting meaning.

storage

the process of maintaining information in memory over time

Retrieval

the process of getting information out of memory storage

short-term memory

activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialing, before the information is stored or forgotten

long-term memory

the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.

implicit memory

Memories we don't deliberately remember or reflect on consciously

procedural memory

a type of implicit memory that involves motor skills and behavioral habits

explicit memory

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

episodic memory

A category of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations and experiences.

semantic memory

memory for knowledge about the world

flashbulb memories

a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event

recognition

a measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test

Recall

A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test.

false memories

Inaccurate memory created by the power of imagination or suggestion

encoding failure

failure to process information into memory

decay

fading away of memory over time

Ebbinghaus forgetting curve

the course of forgetting is initially rapid, then levels off with time

retrograde amnesia

an inability to retrieve information from one's past

anterograde amnesia

an inability to form new memories

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Dendrites

Branch Like parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

cell body

Largest part of a typical neuron; contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm

axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

myelin sheath

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

terminal buttons

Small knobs at the end of axons that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger,sleep, arousal, and mood.

Endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal, as well as in learning and mood regulation

limbic system

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

brain stem

Connects the brain and spinal cord

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain

reticular formation

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

left hemisphere

controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math

right hemisphere

controls the left side of the body; creative, intuitive, spacial

cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

Hypothalamus

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

dependence

the condition that results when the brain develops a chemical need for a drug and cannot function normally without it

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Caffeine

a stimulant drug found in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and many over-the-counter medications

Nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco and vaping products

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

Amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

Marijuana

a drug, often smoked, whose effects include euphoria, impairment of judgment and concentration and occasionally hallucinations; rarely reported as addictive

Opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

psychological disorder

a syndrome marked by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior

maladaptive behavior

behavior that hinders a person's ability to function in work, school, relationships, or society

unjustifiable behavior

Without a rational basis

Is there anything going on in a person's life that would make their behavior understandable?

Atypical Behavior

Behavior that is different that it violates the norm.

disturbing behavior

Behavior causes DISCOMFORT/ CONCERN to ones self or others
-Impairs a person's SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

biopsychosocial model

perspective in which abnormal behavior is seen as the result of the combined and interacting forces of biological, psychological, social, and cultural influences

anxiety disorders

psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety

generalized anxiety disorder

an anxiety disorder in which a person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal

panic disorder

An anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable minutes-long episodes of intense dread in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening sensations.

Phobias

irrational fears of specific objects or situations

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia that lingers for four weeks or more after a traumatic experience

obssessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

an disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions)

obsession

A persistent, unwanted thought or idea that keeps recurring

compulsion

uncontrollable urge to perform an act repeatedly

mood disorders

disorders in which mood is severely disturbed

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Psychological disorder involving a significant depressive episode and depressed characteristics, such as lethargy and hopelessness, for at least two weeks.

bipolar disorder

A mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.

somatoform disorders

disorders characterized by physical symptoms for which no known physical cause exists