IB Psychology p1 terms

Acculturation

the process of adapting as a result of living in a new cutlure

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter helping with memory formation

agonist

a chemical that amplifies the effect of neurotransmitters by binding to receptor sites, activating them

antagonist

a chemical reducing the effects of neurotransmitters by binding to and blocking receptor sites of said neurotransmitter

amygdala

small almond shaped part of the brain in control of emotions and behavior such as fear and violence

assimilation

when you lose your sense of belonging to your origin culture while adjusting to the new culture

cognitive schema

a group of knowledge/memories that is stored in the mind (organised packets of thoughts, beliefs, information and memories about certain groups, events, etc.)

cultural group

a group that shares specific cultural norms

delaying gratification

waiting for something that you really want, instead of taking them

enculturation

the process of learning the norms of your culture

excitatory neurotransmitter

binds to receptor sites and increases the chances of the post synaptic neuron firing (sending a signal)

gene

sequence of dna

glutamate

example of an excitatory neurotransmitter that is linked to MDD and PTSD

inhibitory neurotransmitter

binds to receptor sites and decreases chance of post synaptic firing (sending a signal)

integration

the process of adjusting to new culture while retaining your own culture

intuitive (system 1 thinking)

fast automatic thinking

kinship study

using family membvers of varying genetic similarities to study behavior

marginalization

someone who has no connection to their origin culture or the new culture

multi store memory model

3 stories; sensory, short term, long term

neural network

a group of neurons that are connected and are linked to a specific task/function

neural pruning

the breaking of the neural network, which happens after the specific function of that network is not being done after a while

neuron

a cell that transmits/receives infromation either chemically or electrically

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to adapt/change

norms

shared expectations of the appropriate ways of thinking/behaving

VMPFC

the area of the brain that is responsible for decision marking, inhibiting impulsive behavior, regulating our emotion and performing cognitive tasks

separation

when someone has no ties to their origin culture but is connected to the new culture

serotonin

a neurotransmitter responsible for emotions and forming neural networks. this is linked to depression and aggression

social groups

group of individuals sharing something in common

synapse

small space between two neurons

WMM

working part of working memory refers to how we use info in our conscious minds

working memory

the information that we are conscious of at any one time

social identity theory

people identifying themselves by their in groups (Tajfel)

social cognitive theory

emphasizes the interaction between people, personal factors, behavior and environment (bandura)

stereotype

a human tendency to categorize, simplify and process information. reduces cognitive load.

confirmation bias

the tendency to interpret and recall information in a way that is consistent with our beliefs

MRI

Uses strong magnetic fields in order to see a person’s organs, tissue and bone

FMRI

uses blood flow to look at brain activity,brain function

Hormone

chemicals that influence behavior, emotions and cognition by affecting brain and bodily function (cortisol, oxytocin)

pheromone

chemicals emitted by a person that can influence other people’s behavior towards that person

reconstructive memory

the process of piecing information together when one is unable to recall a certain memory

flashbulb memory

when one can vividly recall a certain memory due to there being a strong emotion correlated to it

misinformation effect

the act of given wrong information and that distorting ones memories.

confabulation

someone making up a false memory for deceitful intentions

schema theory

explains how our mind organises information based off of anecdotal experiences and how this can affect our behavior and attitudes

google effect

the tendency to forget information that is readliy available on google