AP Psychology Vocabulary - AP EXAM

Ablation

Purposely disabling or destroying part of the brain to study the functions of different areas.

Accommodation

The creation of new cognitive schemas when objects or information does not fit with existing schemas.

Action Potential

The firing of a neuron; occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than the charge outside.

Altruism

Unselfish behavior that may be detrimental but benefits others.

Amnesia

Loss of memory, typically partial, of a period of time or specific information.

Anxiety

Physiological and psychological reaction to expected danger, whether real or imagined.

Aphasia

Impairment of the ability to communicate, either orally or in writing, due to brain damage.

Arousal Theory

The theory that we are motivated by the desire to maintain an optimal level of arousal.

Assimilation

Incorporating new objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas.

Attachment

The strong bond a child forms with their primary caregiver.

Authoritarian Parents

Parenting style focused on excessive rules and unquestioned obedience.

Authoritative Parents

Parenting style that sets reasonable rules while encouraging communication and independence.

Availability Heuristic

A rule of thumb that states information readily available in memory is considered more important.

Aversion Therapy

Behavioral treatment where aversive stimuli are paired with negative behavior to change it.

Axon

The tail-like part of a neuron through which information exits the cell.

Behavior Modification

Application of behavioral theory to change a specific behavior.

Behavior Therapy

Application of behavioral theory in the treatment of mental illness.

Behaviorism

School of psychology founded on the premise that behavior is measurable and can be changed.

Bisexuality

Attraction to or arousal by members of both genders.

Blind Study

Research design where subjects do not know the anticipated results to avoid placebo effects.

Broca’s Aphasia

Aphasia associated with damage to Broca's area, characterized by difficulty producing speech.

Burnout

Extensive job stress resulting in changes in thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

Cell Body

Main part of a neuron where information is processed.

Centration

Young child's tendency to focus on their own perspective, failing to understand others' views.

Chemical Imbalance

Term referring to either a deficit or excess of chemicals in the brain, leading to disorders.

Classical Conditioning

Behavioral technique that pairs a natural stimulus and response with different stimuli.

Client Centered Therapy

Humanistic therapy based on the belief in unlimited human capacity for growth.

Cognition

The process of receiving, processing, storing, and using information.

Cognitive Dissonance

Realization of contradictions in one's attitudes and behaviors.

Compulsion

Physical act stemming from obsession, often to relieve discomfort.

Conditioned Response

Response learned through association with a conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

Stimulus that elicits a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conformity

Changing attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to align with others.

Consciousness

Awareness of oneself and the surrounding world.

Consolidation

Physiological changes in the brain associated with memory storage.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcement applied every time a specific behavior occurs.

Control Group

Group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable.

Correlation

Statistical representation of a relationship between two variables.

Critical Period

Time frame important for healthy development; physically, emotionally, or cognitively.

Crowding

Psychological response to the belief of over-crowding in a specified area.

Crystallized Intelligence

Part of intelligence involving the acquisition of knowledge.

Decay

Theory stating memory fades over time if not used.

Declarative Memory

Long-term memory subsystem storing factual information.

Deductive Reasoning

Decision making from general to specific ideas.

Delusion

False belief system, such as believing one has extraordinary powers.

Developmental Psychology

Area of psychology focused on psychological growth in children to adulthood.