AP Psych Summer Terms Pt. 1

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to overestimate the predictability of an event after it has occurred.

Correlation

The degree of a relationship between 2 variables

Operational Definition

A description of something in terms of the operations by which it could be observed/measured

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is specifically manipulated to assess its effect / influence

Dependent Variable

The outcome that is observed after variation of the independent variable

Confounding Variable

An independent variable that is distinct in concept, but inseparable from other variables in practice`

Generalizability

The extent to which results / findings are applicable in a broader population

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord with its complex of neurons, axons, and supporting tissue

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The nervous system that does not fall under the brain or spinal cord

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system responsible for sensory and movement

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The part of the nervous system responsible for smooth muscle and glands. Controls involuntary responses.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Division of the ANS responsible for fight-or-flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Division of the ANS responsible for rest-and-digest

Glial Cells

Provides support such as structure and nutrition to neurons.

Multiple Sclerosis

Disease of the CNS. Destroying of myelin sheath leads to many health issues. Problem of sending signals.

Masthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies against ACh receptors. Results in faulty transmission of nerve impulses.

Difference between MS and MG

MG = Myasthenia Gravis = problem with receiving the signal
MS = Multiple Sclerosis = Problem with sending the signal through

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter. Too much makes you schizo. Motor behavior, mental condition and emotional states

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter. Not enough makes you depressed. Mood, appetite, sleep, processing of pain, emotion, and reflexes.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter. AKA adrenaline.

Glutamate

Neurotransmitter. Cognitive, motor, sensory function. Think of monosodium glutamate.

GABA

Neurotransmitter. Calms neural activity.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitter. Natural painkillers.

Substance P

Neurotransmitter. Regulates pain and dilates blood vessels.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter. Not enough gets you Alzheimer’s. Memory, learning and muscle contraction.

Agonist

Chemical that binds to a receptor

Antagonist

Chemical that inhibits the action of another substance

Brainstem Medulla

Lowest part of the brainstem. Basic life functions Regulates breathing, heartbeat, reflexes.

Reticular Activating System

Part of the Reticular Formation. Sleep-wake cycles.

Thalamus

The brain’s ‘sensory switchboard’. Sends out sensory info to the brain.

Hypothalamus

Monitors and regulates: body temp, hunger, thirst, stress response, etc.

Hippocampus

Memory and learning part of the brain

Amygdala

Aggression and emotion part of the brain

Occipital Lobes

Sensory info, back part of brain.

Temporal Lobes

Hearing, sides of the head

Parietal Lobes

Behind frontal lobe. Movement, space, position.

Frontal Lobe

Executive function, reasoning, personality, etc.

Broca’s Area

Left side frontal lobe. Speech.

Wernicke’s Area

Temporal lobe. Language comprehension

Brain Plasticity

The capacity of the brain to change its structure and function based on experience

REM Sleep

When dreams happen and what you wake up from. Body is paralyzed. Rapid Eye Movement.

REM Rebound

The brain catches up on REM sleep after a while of poor sleep quality.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sleep attacks at any time.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation required to trigger a sensory response

Transduction

One form of energy is converted into another. Such as environmental stimulus into action potential

Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus

Retina

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye

Photoreceptors

Cones for colors and rods for light.

Fovea

Central part of the retina that contains mostly cones, responsible for our most detailed vision

Vestibular Sense

The sense of body movement and position that is regulated by the inner ear. Thin, whole body.

Kinesthesis

The system for sensing the movement and position for individual body parts.