PSYC 1 Final Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards to aid in studying key concepts from the PSYC 1 course notes, focusing on sensation, perception, consciousness, and psychological disorders.

Sensation

The process of detecting physical stimuli from the environment.

Perception

The brain's interpretation of sensory information, giving it meaning.

Patternicity

The brain's tendency to find meaningful patterns in random stimuli.

Agenticity

The inclination to believe that an intentional agent caused a pattern or event.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum stimulation level needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Subliminal Stimulation

Stimuli that are detected less than 50% of the time, often below the conscious threshold.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference - JND)

The smallest change in stimulation that can be detected.

Weber-Fechner Law

The principle that the size of a just noticeable difference is a constant proportion of the original stimulus value.

Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity to a stimulus as a consequence of constant exposure.

Rod Receptors

Photoreceptors in the retina that detect light intensity and help with vision in dim light.

Cone Receptors

Photoreceptors responsible for color vision and function best in bright light.

Gestalt Psychology

A theory that proposes that the whole of an experience is different from the sum of its parts.

Depth Perception

The ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distances.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other physiological processes on a 24-hour cycle.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep, leading to momentary awakenings.

Freudian Dream Theory

The theory that emphasizes the role of repressed wishes and desires in dreams.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemical substances that alter perceptions, mood, and other psychological processes.

Cognitive Development

The process by which individuals learn to think and understand the world around them.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest or pleasure.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by disorganized thinking, delusions, and hallucinations.

Attachment

An emotional bond that forms between individuals, particularly observed in parent-child relationships.