Unit 1-3 Ap psych

Flashcards on Scientific Foundations of Psychology, Research Methods, and Biological Bases of Behavior

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate about whether behavior is caused more by genes (nature) or environment/experience (nurture).

Neuroscience (Biological) Perspective

Focuses on how the brain, nervous system, and body affect behavior and thinking.

Evolutionary Perspective

Looks at how natural selection influences behavior.

Behavior Genetics Perspective

Studies how genes and environment interact to shape behavior.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Emphasizes unconscious desires and early childhood experiences.

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behavior and learning through rewards and punishments.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on how we think, remember, and process information.

Social-Cultural Perspective

Looks at how society and culture affect behavior.

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychologist

Applies psychology to the workplace to improve productivity and well-being.

Clinical Psychology

Studies and treats people with mental health issues.

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine that treats mental illness using medications and therapy.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about how things work.

Operational Definition

Clearly defining a variable so it can be measured or observed.

Replication

Repeating a study to see if the results are the same.

Case Study

A detailed examination of a single person or group.

Survey

A method of gathering information through self-reported answers.

Wording Effects

The influence that the way a question is phrased has on responses.

Population

The entire group being studied.

Random Sample

A sample where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing and recording behavior in its natural environment.

Correlation Coefficient

A number that shows the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Scatterplot

A graph that shows the relationship between two variables.

Correlation and Causation

Correlation does not imply causation; just because two things are related doesn't mean one causes the other.

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Experiment

A research method where a researcher manipulates variables to determine cause and effect.

Double-Blind Procedure

Both the participants and the experimenters are unaware of who is receiving the treatment to prevent bias.

Placebo Effect

When people experience improvements in their condition simply because they believe they're receiving treatment.

Experimental Condition

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or manipulation.

Control Condition

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

Random Assignment

Randomly assigning participants to either the experimental or control group to reduce bias.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment to see if it changes due to the independent variable.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, which control most functions of the body and mind.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All nerves outside the CNS that connect the body to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System

A part of the PNS that controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the “fight or flight” response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body after a stress response.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cells

Cells that support and protect neurons.

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down a neuron, triggering communication between cells.

All-or-Nothing Principle

The idea that neurons either fire completely or not at all.

Depolarization

The process of a neuron becoming less negatively charged, triggering an action potential.

Refractory Period

The brief time after a neuron fires during which it cannot fire again.

Resting Potential

The electrical state of a neuron when it’s not firing; it is negatively charged inside.

Reuptake

The process of a neurotransmitter being reabsorbed by the sending neuron after it has triggered a response.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal.

Glutamate

The most common excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning and memory.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms neural activity.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that relieve pain and promote feelings of pleasure.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain, responsible for basic survival functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Medulla

Part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like heart rate and breathing.

Pons

A part of the brainstem involved in regulating sleep and arousal.

Cerebellum

A brain structure that coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Thalamus

The brain’s sensory control center that directs incoming sensory information to the correct brain regions.

Hypothalamus

A brain region involved in regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the fight-or-flight response.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in the formation of new memories.