THE MEGA YEAR 12 PSYCH DECK ABC

define accuracy

how close a measure relates to the true value of the quantity being measured.

define acronym

a pronounceable word formed from the first letters of a group of words.

define acrostic

in relation to a mnemonic, making verbal associations for items to be remembered by constructing a sentence phrase or other composition using the first letters of the information to be remembered.

define acute stress

stress that lasts for a relatively short time

define adaptive behaviour

any behaviour that enables the individual to adjust to the environment appropriately and effectively.

define adrenaline

a hormone secreted during stress; also called epinephrine.

define advanced sleep phase disorder

a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterised by a short of the major sleep episode to an earlier time compared to desired or conventional sleep times, resulting in sleep onset and awakening much earlier than desired and excessive sleepiness.

define afferent pathway

a neural pathway that carries information towards the brain to spinal cord.

define agonist

a chemical agent that stimulates neurotransmitter activity

define aim

a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation.

define alarm reaction

the first stage of the General Adaption Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary state of shock, then rebounds, following initial awareness of a stressor.

define alpha brain wave pattern

associated with a relaxed, calm, internally focused wakeful state of consciousness, especially if eyes are closed.

define altered state of consciousness

any state of consciousness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness or any waking state in terms of level of awareness and experience.

define Alzheimer’s disease

a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by gradual widespread degeneration of brain neurone, progressively causing memory decline, deterioration of cognitive and social skills and personality changes.

define amygdala

a small structure in the medical temporal lobe, deep within the brain and part of the limbic system; involved in emotional reactions an formation of a wide variety of emotional memories.

define anecdote

an informal verbal report of an event that has been casually observed.

define antagonist

a chemical agent that inhibits neurotransmitter activity.

define antecedent stimulus

ab object or event that precedes a specific behaviour and signals the probable consequence for the behaviour and therefore influences the occurrence of the behaviour.

define anticipatory anxiety

worry or apprehension about the possibility of being exposed to a phobic stimulus in the future

define anxiety

a state of arousal involving unpleasant feelings of apprehension or uneasiness that something is wrong or something unpleasant is about to happen.

define aphantasia

absence of visual imagery.

define appraisal

the cognitive evaluation of the nature and significance of a stressor.

define approach coping strategy

an effort to cope with stress by confronting the stressor and dealing directly with it and its effects

define Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model

a representation and explanation of memory as consisting of 3 seperate stores called sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory, differing in function, capacity and duration.

define attention

the process of focusing on specific stimuli or aspects of the sensory environment whilst ignoring and therefore excluding others.

define autobiographical memory

a person’s memory for episodes or experiences that occurred in their own life

define autonomic nervous system

a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities.

define avoidance behaviour

actions that help avert any contact, exposure or engagement with a phobic stimulus.

define avoidance coping strategy

an effort to cope with stress by evading the stressor and dealing indirectly with it and its effects.

define basal ganglia

a group of structures deep within the brain, involved in the generation of voluntary movements and long-term implicit memories involving motor skills.

define behaviour

any action made by a living person/animal that can be observed and measured.

define behaviour activation

a CBT technique to help an individual identify and schedule activities that promote enjoyment or reduce stress.

define behaviouralist approach to learning

emphasises the study of observable behaviour alone to understand and explain learning, without regard to underlying mental processes.

define beneficence

the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising risks and harm involved in taking a particular position or course of action