Psych KBAT unit 2

Operational definition

the statement of procedures the researcher is going to use in order to measure a specific variable. (needed for replication)

Bias

The tendency to seek out information that confirms one's existing beliefs.

Replication

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Prefrontal Cortex

At the front of the frontal cortex and allows higher level thinking

Parietal Lobe

processes your sense of touch and assembles input from your other senses into a form you can use.

Cerebellum

coordinates some habitual muscle movements, such as tracking a target with our eyes. (located on the bottom rear of the brain)

Werneckie’s Area

The language area that is responsible for comprehending spoken word as well as formulating written and spoken language.

Broca’s Area

This area is responsible for speech production and language comprehension. (located in the left hemisphere in the frontal lobe)

Aphasia

he impairment of language that occurs when either the Broca's area or Wernicke's area is damaged.

Split Brain

the surgical cutting of the brains hemispheres

Myelin Sheath

A fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses

Neural Impulse

The way nerve cells communicate

Morphine

depressants .

As the nervous system is slowed, the individual may feel a sense of pleasure.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters linked to reduced pain and increased pleasure.

Sympathetic Nervous System

responding to dangerous or stressful situations. In these situations, your sympathetic nervous system activates to speed up your heart rate, deliver more blood to areas of your body that need more oxygen or other responses to help your get out of danger.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Mobilized our body and carries messages to the control systems of the glands, organs, and muscles that direct our bodys responce to stress

Dual Processing

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

Parallel Processing

the ability of the brain to simultaneously process incoming stimuli of differing quality.

Thyroid

plays an important role in the body's metabolism.

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

REM Sleep

stage of sleep in which we dream.

Night Terrors

A sleep disorder that causes the sleeper to wake from NREM sleep suddenly with feelings of extreme fear, agitation, or dread.

Somnabulism

a behavioral disorder of sleep in which a person sits up and performs various motor actions, such as standing, walking about, talking, eating, screaming, dressing, going to the bathroom, or even leaving the house.

Evolutionary Psychology Fear Justification

the fears of the right things to survive (passes on through genes)