AP Psych Tricky Vocab 2025

Effect Size

The strength of the relationship between 2 variables; larger = stronger relationship

Bimodal Distribution

A data set that contains 2 distinct modes rather than 1

Monochromatism

An individual can only see shades of a single color or gray

Dichromatism

An individual lacks one type of cone, leading to difficulties distinguishing certain colors (most commonly red and green)

Volley Theory

States that groups of neurons can work together to perceive sounds at frequencies beyond their individual firing rates

Conduction Deafness

Caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea

Sensorineural Deafness

Caused by damage to the cochlea’s receptor cells or to the auditory nerve

Pheromones

Chemical substances secreted humans that have an effect on behavior or physiology with others

Reflex Arc

The pathway of neural stimulation that occurs to translate a sensation into a physical reflexive response

Depolarization

The reduction in the electric potential across a neuron, where the inside becomes less negative compared to the outside

Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disorder in which ACh receptors are mistakenly attacked, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

A pair of hypothalamus cell clusters that controls circadian rhythm; it adjusts melatonin production

Activation Synthesis Theory

REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which the brain weaves into stories

Schema

A concept or framework that organizes and interprets information

Multi Store Model

Memory is recorded in order from the Sensory Memory to the Short Term Memory to the Long Term Memory

Aptitude Test

Designed to predict a person’s future performance

Construct Validity

How much a test measures a concept or trait

Content Validity

How much a test samples the behavior that is of interest

Linguistic Relativity

Idea that language influences the way we think

Linguistic Determinism

Whorf’s hypothesis that languages determines the way we think

Microsystem

Relationships with immediate, direct-contact groups (home, school community)

Mesosystem

Relationships between microsystem groups (parents with peers)

Exosystem

Environments that indirectly affect a person (parent’s workplace)

Macrosystem

Cultural influences (values, economic/political systems)

Industry vs. Inferiority

6-Puberty; children learn the pleasure of applying themselves to tasks vs. they feel inferior

Identity Diffusion

No commitment and no searching

Identity Moratorium

No commitment and some searching

Identity Foreclosure

Some commitment and no searching

Higher Order Conditioning

The CS in one experience is paired with a new NS, creating a second (often weaker) CS

Counterconditioning

Using classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli that are triggering unwanted behaviors

Law of Effect

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by a reinforcer become more likely, while behaviors followed by a punisher become less likely

Normative Social Influence

Results from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Informational Social Influence

Results from a person’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker’s attractiveness

Ego

Partly conscious, executive part of personality that mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality

Superego

Partly conscious, executive part of personality that represents internalized ideals; what YOU want

Reaction Formation

Switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites

Regression

Retreating to an earlier psychosexual stage, where some psychic energy remains fixated

Sublimation

Transferring of unacceptable impulses into socially valued motives

Reciprocal Determinism

The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment

Empirically Derived Test

Created by selecting from a pool of items those that discriminate between groups

Conscientiousness

A tendency to be organized, deliberate, self-disciplined, and motivated to achieve goals

Yerkes Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal only up to a certain point

Self Determination Theory

We feel motivated to satisfy our needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness

Sensation Seeking Theory

Suggests that our motivation can come from a desire for new or exciting experiences

Catharsis

The idea that releasing aggressive energy relieves aggressive urges

Adaptation Level Phenomenon

Our tendency to form judgments relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience

Broaden and Build Theory

Proposes that positive emotions broaden our awareness, which over time helps us building meaningful skills that improve well-being

Diathesis

Genetic predispositions

Diathesis Stress Model

Concept that genetic predispositions combine with environment stressors to influence psychological disorder

Catatonia

A state of extreme motor and behavioral disturbances

Stupor

A state of unresponsiveness and immobility

Flat Affect

Emotionless state of no apparent feeling

Ataque de Nervios

A form of panic attack among Latinos associated with feelings of being out of control due to stressful events

Taijin Kyofusho

Fear in Japanese people that others are judging their bodies as undesirable, offensive, or unpleasing

Obsessions

Repetitive thoughts

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors

Psychotropic Medication Therapy

Prescribing medications to treat mental health disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders

People appear eccentric or odd

Cluster B Personality Disorders

People appear dramatic, emotional, or erratic

Cluster C Personality Disorders

People appear anxious or fearful

Cognitive Triad

Individuals experiencing depression tend to hold negative beliefs about themselves, the world, and the future

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

The application of repeated pulses of magnetic energy to the brain to stimulate or suppress brain activity

Electroconvulsive Therapy

A biomedical therapy for severe depression where a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an anesthetized person