AP Psych Unit 2 Exam

Retinal Disparity

Binocular cue that compares the images of both retinas to compute distance

Relative Clarity

Nearby object are sharp and focused whereas far away objects are blurry

Relative Size

If two objects are the same size, the one that casts a smaller retinal images is farther away and the one that is larger is closer

Texture Gradient 

Details are seen when objects are viewed up close 

Linear Prespective

Parallel lines appear to meet in the distance

Interposition

If one object partially blocks another we see that object as closer

Color Constancy/ Constancy

The idea that we know that colors, sizes, and appearances of an object stay the same when affecting by lighting.

Assimilation

Filing new experiences into already existing schemas 

Accomodation

Adjusting our schemas to fit new experiences, examples, and ideas

Gambler’s Fallacy

The idea that something will happen next based on the fact that it hasn’t happened in a while 

Algorithm

A methodical rule or procedure that guarentees a solution to a problem

Heuristic

Mental shortcut that allows us to make judgements efficiently

Avaliabilty Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of events based on how readily they come to mind

Representative Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of something based on how well it fits one’s prototype

Framing

The way an issue is posed can impact decisions and judgements

Mental Set

Tendency to approach a situation in a way similar to what has worked in the past 

List the steps of the multi-stage memory model

sensory memory, pay attention/ encode, working/short term memory, rehearsal/ encoding, long term memory 

Echoic Memory

Brief sensory memory of auditory information

Episodic Memory

Memories of our own personal experiences

Short Term Memory

Is limited in capacity and can only hold 5-9 items at a time 

Sematic Memory

Our memory of facts and information

Context Dependent Memory

Information is better recalled when in the same environment 

State Dependent Memory

Information is better recalled when in the same emotional or physical state

Retroactive Interference

When new learning prevents you form recalling old information

Proactive Interference

When old, well rehearsed learning prevents you to learn new information

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to form new memories but can still remember the past

Retrograde Amnesia

The inability to remember the past but can still form new memories

Source Amnesia

Misremembering where,how, and when information was learned

Misinformation Effect

When memory is ruined by false information

Reliablility 

When a test yields consistent results 

Validity 

When a test predicts or measures what it is meant to

Content Validity

The test measures a behavior of interest

Construct Validity

How much a test measures a certain concept or trait

Predictive Validity 

The extent to which a test is able to predict the behavior it sets out to

Stereotype Threat

When a person fears that they will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype 

Flynn Effect

The worldwide phenomenon that intelligence scores increase over many generations 

Equation for IQ

IQ = mental age/chronological age (100)

General Intelligence

We have one single measurable intelligence that is the core of all intelligent behavior 

Stroboscopic Movement

The illusion that still images are moving (flip books)

Phi Phenomenon

Illusionary movement when 2 or more lights are blinking in a quick succession

Autokinetic Effect

Illusionary movement of a still spot of light in a dark room— almost like it’s growing 

Central Executive

The part in working memory that coordinates focused processing

Phonological Loop

A part in working memory that briefly holds (loops) auditory information

Visuospatial Sketchpad

A part in working memory that briefly holds information about an objects appearance and location in space (scratch paper for the brain)

Long Term Potentiation

increase of nerve cell firing potential after repeated simulation (learning)

Implicit Memory

memory of learned skills and classically conditioned associations, stored in the cerebellum and basal gangila, automatic processing

Explicit Memory

The ability to consciously recall information, effortful processing, stored in the hippocampus