IB Psychology Test Prep - Terms to Know (copy)

Behavioral Genetics

Study of how both genetics and environment contribute to individual variations in human behavior

Social Psychology

Field of study that examines role that groups and environmental factors that play in shaping human behavior

Prosocial behavior

Voluntary behavior intented to benefit others

Social Identity

How we see ourselves and relate to the world around us, impacted by groups we belong too that create schemas and ways of thinking through social learning and observations

Social Cognitive Theory

We learn prosocial and antisocial behaviors by watching others in the world

Emotion

Conscious mental reaction experienced as a strong feeling, usually directed toward a specific reason accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in body

Amygdala

Responsible for stress (fight, flight, freeze) and threat analysis

Frontal Lobe

Helps with self control (emotions, impulses), social interactions, empathy, and planning and decision making

fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging scan that shows activity in specific areas of brain

Gene

Working subunits of DNA, each gene contains a particular set of instructions, usually coding for a particular protein or for a particular function

Inheritance

Each offspring inherits half of their DNA from each parent (46 chromosomes total with 23 from female and 23 from male)

MAOA Gene

Codes for an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in brain, low activity gene-low reaction to serotonin, high amounts of dopamine and adrenaline, high activity gene-high reaction of seratonin, low amounts of domapine and adrenaline

Neurotransmitter

Chemical that is exchanged between neurons that allow them to communicate

Evolutionary Psychology

one of many biologically informed approaches to study of human behavior. Evolutionary psychologists propose that much, if not all, of our behavior can be explained by appeal to internal biological functions. What distinguishes evolutionary psychologists from many psychologists is the proposal that relevant biological functions are adaptations—products of natural selection—that helped our ancestors get around the world, survive and reproduce.

Biophilia Hypothesis

suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. We see the biological benefits of being in nature because humans have evolved to be in nature. When we are detached from nature, our biological systems may struggle.

Enculturation

process by which an individual learns traditional content of a culture and assimilates its practices and values. This happens as a result of...
Direct Tuition: Learning Through Instruction/Language/Telling.
Participatory Learning: Learning through Doing.
Observational Learning: Learning through Watching.
Modeling: Acting with intention of helping someone learn.

Theory of Reconstructive Memory

Our past experiences and beliefs shape creation of our memory

Schema Theory

A generalization of past experiences that forms a scripted pattern of thinking.

Flashbulb Memories

Highly accurate and exceptionally vivid memories of learning about a shocking or emotional event. Elements of a flashbulb memory include place they were, what they were doing, who told them information, how others felt, and importance of event

Stereotype

A generalization that is made about a group and then applied to individual members of that group. They can be either positive or negative.

Localization of function

Brain parts have specific functions

Cultural Dimension

Ways that how people can measure cultural groups differening (individualism vs collectivism)

Cortisol

Stress Hormone

Oxytocin

“Cuddle Hormone”

Acculturation

 The process of social, psychological and cultural change that results from blending between cultures. Stages include…

• Separation

• Marginalization

• Assimilation

• Integration

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

a machine that takes photos of the brain structure

Multistore model of memory

memory consists of three stores: a sensory register, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).

Working model of memory

Neuroplasticity

the brain changes and continuously adapting throughout an individuals life, happens as neurons make connections between each other and for network

Myelination

a fatty substance that builds up around neural networks to help them send information faster and more effieciently

Pruning

the Brain’s ability to remove neural networks that are underused in order to strenghten ones that are

Serotonin

Mood stabilizer, sleep and digestive system - usually inhibitory

Hormones

chemical messengers that are released from glands in the body and serve to change psycological and physical functioning based on experiences

Encoding

The process of storing memories. Rooted in neuroplasticity.

Retreival

The process of activating memories.

Distortion

Remembering the main idea but forgetting small details.

Assimilation

Modifying details of a memory to fit within our worldview or perspective.

Reuptake

after connecting with the receptors, the neurotransmitters are released, travel back through the synapse and are reabsorbed by the reuptake transporter on the original neuron

Cortisol

stress hormone

Norepinephrine

increases blood flow and concentration

Acetylcholine

learning and memory - activates muscles in the body - excitatory

Hippocampus

Storage and Formation of new memories and stress Inhabition

Neuron

Brain cell designed for communication

Epigenetics

factors beyond genes, including traumas, diet, stress, lack of exercise, or living with an abusive parent, get inside genes and alter their function in the body - our expiriences change out genes

Adrenaline

increases heart rate, awareness and physical abilities (fight or flight)

Stereotype threat

situation in which an individal is at rist of conforming, as self characteristic, a negative stereotype about ones group. During these times, they often preform worse due to stress and anxiety of conforming stereotypes