AP psych

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 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.

Psycho-dynamic 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.

Clinical Psychology

Studies and treats people with mental health issues.

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

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

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.

Consciousness

The awareness of ourselves and our surroundings.

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour biological clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles.

NREM Stage 1

The lightest stage of sleep where you drift in and out and may experience 'jerking' sensations.

NREM Stage 2

A deeper stage of sleep where your body temperature drops and heart rate slows.

NREM Stage 3 (Stages 3 & 4)

Deep sleep with slow brain waves; the most restful stage for the body.

REM Sleep (Paradoxical Sleep)

The sleep stage where most dreaming occurs; the body is paralyzed, but the brain is highly active.

Sleep

A natural state of rest for the body and mind, including different stages like REM and NREM.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A disorder where people suddenly fall asleep during the day, even if they’ve had enough rest.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder where a person’s breathing stops temporarily during sleep.

Night Terrors

Intense fear or panic attacks during sleep, usually in the NREM stages.

Dream

A sequence of images and sensations that occur while sleeping, usually during REM.

Why Do We Dream?

Theories suggest that dreaming helps us process emotions, sort memories, or simulate future challenges.

Activation-Synthesis Model

The theory that dreams are the brain’s way of making sense of random neural activity during sleep.

REM Rebound

When you don't get enough REM sleep one night, your body spends more time in REM the next night.

Health Psychology

The study of how behavior, emotions, and psychological factors affect physical health.

Stress

The emotional and physical response to external challenges or demands.

Hans Selye

A researcher who developed the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), explaining the body’s response to stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The body's three-phase reaction to stress: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.

Cortisol

A hormone released in response to stress, which helps the body manage stress.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, often caused by chronic stress.

Eustress vs. Distress

Eustress is positive stress that motivates, while distress is harmful and overwhelming stress.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic childhood events that can affect mental and physical health later in life.

Fight-Flight-Freeze Response

The body's automatic reaction to perceived threats.

Tend and Befriend Theory

The idea that stress leads to nurturing behaviors and seeking social support.

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping by directly addressing the source of stress.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping by managing emotional reactions rather than changing the stressor.

Positive Psychology

The study of what makes life fulfilling, focusing on strengths, happiness, and well-being.

Resilience

The ability to bounce back from adversity or stress.

Gratitude

A sense of thankfulness and appreciation for positive aspects of life.

Positive Subjective Experiences

Experiences that make people feel good or happy.

Subjective Well-Being

How individuals experience their lives in terms of happiness and satisfaction.

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving physiological responses, thoughts, and behaviors.

James-Lange Theory

The theory that emotions result from physical reactions.

Cannon-Bard Theory

The theory that emotions and physical reactions occur simultaneously.

Two-Factor Theory

The theory that emotion arises from both physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation.

Psychotherapy

Treatment involving psychological techniques to help someone overcome psychological difficulties.

Eclectic Approach

A blend of therapy methods from different schools of psychology.

Psychoanalysis

Treatment aimed at bringing repressed feelings into conscious awareness.