EBQ TOP TERMS

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter for reward and motivation. [Apply: Addiction, Parkinson’s, focus]

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter affecting mood and sleep. [Apply: Depression, SSRIs, emotion]

Plasticity

Brain’s ability to reorganize or adapt. [Apply: Learning, recovery after injury]

Circadian Rhythm

24-hour biological sleep-wake cycle. [Apply: Teen sleep patterns, jet lag]

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature. [Apply: Eating behavior, motivation]

Thalamus

Relays sensory information to the brain for processing Apply: Processing visuals, hearing, attention]

Stereotypes, misremembering]

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Confirmation Bias

Favoring information that supports beliefs. [Apply: Flawed decision

Encoding

Getting information into memory. [Apply: Attention improves memory formation]

Retrieval

Pulling stored info from memory. [Apply: Test performance, forgetting]

Priming

Unconscious activation of related memory associations. [Apply: Faster word recognition, advertising]

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts for fast decision

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences. [Apply: Behavior reinforcement in classrooms]

Classical Conditioning

Learning through paired associations. [Apply: Phobias, anticipatory anxiety]

Positive Reinforcement

Adding reward to strengthen behavior. [Apply: Praise, rewards for effort]

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to strengthen behavior. [Apply: Less homework for good work]

Punishment

Weakening behavior via negative consequence. [Apply: Detention, phone taken]

Modeling

Learning by observing and imitating others. [Apply: Copying peer or adult behavior]

Attachment

Emotional bond between child and caregiver. [Apply: Secure attachment improves emotional health]

Authoritative Parenting

High warmth and high control. [Apply: Academic and emotional success]

Theory of Mind

Understanding others have different thoughts and feelings. [Apply: Social development in kids]

Object Permanence

Knowing things exist when out of sight. [Apply: Infant development]

Temperament

Innate emotional reactivity and style. [Apply: Parenting adaptations, behavior traits]

Critical Period

Window of time when learning must happen. [Apply: Language, visual development]

Fundamental Attribution Error

Overemphasizing personality over situation. [Apply: Misjudging someone's actions or intentions]

Cognitive Dissonance

Discomfort from inconsistent thoughts/behaviors. [Apply: Justifying unhealthy behavior]

Ingroup Bias

Favoring one’s own group over outsiders. [Apply: School cliques, social exclusion]

Deindividuation

Loss of self

Social Facilitation – Improved performance on simple tasks with others watching. [Apply: Sports, presentations]

Bystander Effect

Less likely to help when others are around. [Apply: Emergencies, public settings]

Intrinsic Motivation

Doing something for personal satisfaction. [Apply: Hobbies, passion projects]

Extrinsic Motivation

Doing something for a reward. [Apply: Studying for a grade, working for money]

Incentive Theory

Behavior driven by rewards/punishments. [Apply: Bonuses, punishment avoidance]

Yerkes

Dodson Law

Homeostasis

Maintaining internal balance (hunger, temp). [Apply: Drives behavior like eating or drinking]

Arousal Theory of Motivation

Desire for optimal stimulation. [Apply: Thrill