AP Psych Units 1, 2, and 3 Vocabulary

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Introspection

The process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one's own psychological processes

Structuralism

An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

Functionalism

An early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and function

Psychodynamic Perspective

A branch of psychology that studies how internal conflicts and unconscious drives influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders.

Behavioral Perspective

Am integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and sociocultural processes.

Biological Perspective

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes

Evaluationary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principales of natural selection

Humanistic Perspective

A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential

Cognitive Perceptive

The study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems

Sociocultural Perspective

The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

Basic Research

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Applied Research

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Experimental Psychology

Diverse group of scientists who investigate a variety of base behavioral process in humans and other animals

Clinical Psychologists

Promote psychological health in individuals, groups, and organizations and asses and treat people with metal, emotional, and behavioral disorders

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor licensed to prescribe drugs and otherwise treat physical causes of psychological disorders

Counseling Psychologist

helps people cope with challenges and crisis (including academic, vocational, and relationship issues) and to improve their personal and social functioning

Developmental Psychologists

studying our changing abilities from womb to tomb

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Use psychology's concepts and methods in the workplace to help organizations and companies select and train employees, boost morale and productivity, design products, and implement systems

Social Psychologists

Exploring how we view and affect one another

Empirical Approach

The idea that what we knows comes from experience, and that observation and experiments enable scientific knowledge.

Scientific Method

A self-correcting process for evaluating ideas with observation and analysis

Theories

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Statistics

The branch of mathematics involving the tabulation, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data

Variables

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Case Study

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Survey Method

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

Population

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Samples

Subjects of the population studied in a research project

Random Sampling

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Social Disirability Bias

The tendency to respond to a questions in a socially desirable manner

Volunteer Bias

When people who volunteer to participate in a survey or research study have characteristics that make them unrepresentative of the population from which they were drawn

Naturalistic Observation Method

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

Correlational Method

A research method used to examine relationships between variables, which are expressed in the form of a statistical measure called a correlation coefficient

Correlational Coefficient

A statistical measure of association between variables that can vary from -1.00 to +1.00

Experimental Method

A method of scientific investigation involving the manipulation of independent variables and observation or measurement of their effects on dependent variables under controlled conditions

Independent Variable

In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Dependent Variable

In an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Control Group

In an experiment, the group NOT exposed to the treatment, contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of treatment

Random Assignment

A method of randomly assigning subjects to experimental or control groups

Placebo

an inert (inactive) substance or condition that resembles the active treatment

Placebo Effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active (working) agent.

Double-Blind Studies

in drug research, studies in which both participants and experimenters are kept uninformed about which participants are receiving the active drug and which are receiving the placebo (inactive substance).

Ethics Review Committees

Committees that evaluate whether proposed studies meet ethical guidelines

Informed Consent

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.

Inferential Statistics

Numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Central Tendency

A single score that represents a whole set of scores

Mean

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

Median

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Mode

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Variability

How similar or dissimilar the scores are

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system. (Single Cell)

Axon

The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands. (SENDS)

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another.

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. A small gap between neurons which neurotransmitters carry neural impulses. (GAP between the axon tip of the sending neuron)

Dendrites

A neuron's often bushy, branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body.
Rootlike structures at the end of axons that receive neural impulses from neighboring neurons. (RECIEVE)

Sensory Neurons (afferent)

Neurons that transmit information from sensory organs, muscles, and inner organs to the spinal cord and brain.

Motor Neurons (efferent)

Neurons that convey nerve impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

Hormones

Secretions from endocrine glands that help regulate bodily processes.

Interneurons

Nerve cells within the central nervous system that process information.

Nerve

A BUNDLE of axons from different neurons that transmit nerve impulses.

Gilal Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.

Mylen Sheath

A layer of protective insulation that covers the axons of certain neurons and helps speed transmission of nerve impulses.

Action Potential

an abrupt change from a negative to a positive charge of a nerve cell, also called a neural impulse.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the transmitting neuron.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure. Natural chemicals released in the brain. "Natural pain killer"

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the skeletal muscles and transmits sensory information.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that accelerates body processes and releases stores of energy needed to meet increased physical demands. (SPEEDS UP, "FIGHT OR FLIGHT")

Parasympathetic Nervous System

the branch of the autonomic nervous system that regulates bodily functions processes, such as digestion, that replenish stores of energy. (CALM DOWN, "REST AND DIGEST")

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

the part of the peripheral nervous system that automatically regulates involuntary bodily processes, such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. (Sympathetic NS and Parasympathetic NS)

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
A structure in the hindbrain involved in regulating basic life functions.

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output, balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.
(head of lettuce)

Reticular Formation (RF)

A nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling and Regulating states of attention, alertness, and arousal.

Thalamus

the brain's sensory control center, 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. Serves as a relay station for sensory information and that plays a key role in regulating states of wakefulness and sleep.

Hypothalamus

A small, pea-sized, neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary glad, and is linked to emotional states, aggression, and responses to stress.

Limbic System

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

Amygdala

two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system that are believed to play an important role in aggression, rage, fear, and emotion.

Cerebral Cortex

the wrinkled, outer layer of gray matter that covers the cerebral hemispheres; controls higher mental functions, such as thought and language.
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information processing center. (Parietal Lobe, Occipital Lobe)

Corpus Callosum

The thick bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

Occipital Lobes

The portion of the cerebral cortex located at the back of both cerebral hemispheres; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields and processes visual stimuli.

Parietal Lobe

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Sensory Cortex

An area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement Sensations, touch and pressure on the Skin, and the position of the parts of our bodies as we move about.

Frontal Lobes

The parts of the cerebral cortex, located at the front of the cerebral hemispheres, that are considered the "executive center" of the brain because of their role in higher mental functions.

Motor Cortex

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Temporal Lobes

The parts of the cerebral cortex lying beneath and somewhat behind the frontal lobes that are involved in processing auditory stimuli.

Association Areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are NOT involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

EEG (electroencephalograph)

An amplified recording of electrical waves sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp. A device that records electrical activity in the brain.

CT (computed tomography) Scan

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of the brain's structure. (Also called CAT scan)

PET (postion emission tomography) Scan

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) Scan

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

Lesioning

In studies of brain functioning, the intentional destruction of brain tissue in order to observe the effects on behavior.

Broca's Area

An area of the left frontal lobe involved in speech.

Wernicke's Area

An area of the left temporal lobe involved in processing Written and spoken language.

Aphasia

Loss or impairment of the ability to understand or express language.