Unit 0-3 Midterm AP Psychology (all vocab)

Psychodynamic

Historical perspective used by Freud to explain the unconscious influences on behavior.

Behaviorism

View that psychology should be an objective science studying behavior without reference to mental processes.

Humanistic Psychology

Emphasizes the growth potential of healthy people and individual potential for personal growth.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on brain functioning, including perception, thinking, memory, and language.

Biological Perspective

Focuses on how brain chemistry, genes, and hormones impact behavior.

Social-Cultural Perspective

Examines the impacts of culture, family, friends, and society on behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective

Focuses on how our ancestors influence behavior.

Confidentiality

Personal information about subjects is to never be shared.

Informed Consent

Subjects must give written consent to participate in an experiment.

Case Study

An observation technique in which one individual is studied in depth.

Survey

Technique for ascertaining attitudes or behaviors through questioning a representative group.

Population

All cases in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn.

Random Sample

Sample that fairly represents a population with equal chances for inclusion.

Representative Sample

A subset of the population that represents its diversity.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in natural situations without manipulation.

Experiment

Research method that manipulates factors to observe effects on behavior.

Operational Definition

Specifically names the operations the experimenter uses to control or measure variables.

Random Assignment

Participants are randomly assigned to groups to minimize preexisting differences.

Double-Blind Procedure

Experimental procedure where both participants and staff are uninformed about treatment assignment.

Placebo

A pseudo treatment, often a pill with no active drug.

Placebo Effect

Results caused by expectations alone; effects from administering a placebo.

Experimental Group

Group exposed to the treatment in an experiment.

Control Group

Group not exposed to treatment; used for comparison.

Independent Variable (IV)

Experimental factor manipulated and tested.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Experimental factor being measured.

Confounding Variable

Factor other than the IV that might affect the experiment.

Median

Middle score in a distribution; falls at the 50th percentile.

Standard Deviation

Measure of how much scores vary around the mean.

Normal Curve

Symmetrical curve describing the distribution of data; most scores fall near the mean.

Statistical Significance

Statistical statement about the likelihood that a result occurred by chance.

Correlation

Measure of how two factors vary together and predict each other.

Correlation Coefficient

Statistical index showing the relationship between two variables.

Scatterplot

Graphed cluster of dots representing values of two variables.

Twin Biology

Study of heredity and environment effects using identical and fraternal twins.

Separated Twins Similarities

Similarities in personality, intelligence, interests, etc. between separated twins.

Nature vs Nurture

Debate whether traits are fixed (nature) or influenced by environment (nurture).

Neuron

Nerve cells that communicate throughout the body.

Dendrites

Branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages.

Axon

Long extension of a neuron that sends messages.

Terminals of Axon

Branched endings of axons that transmit neurotransmitters.

Action Potential

Brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Threshold

Minimum intensity needed for a neuron to fire.

All-or-None Response

Neuron fires if threshold is exceeded; does not fire if below.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons that affect other neurons.

Reuptake

Process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron.

Agonist

Chemical that mimics a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

Chemical that inhibits a neurotransmitter's action.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that regulate pleasure and pain.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter influencing movement and emotion.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter affecting mood, hunger, and sleep.

Central Nervous System

Contains the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls glands and involuntary muscles.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Mobilizes the body in stress; responsible for fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body and conserves energy.

Endocrine System

Body's slow chemical communication system via hormones.

Hormones

Chemicals secreted by glands into the bloodstream.

fMRI

Produces images of brain activity during tasks.

Medulla

Base of the brainstem controlling heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

Brain's sensory switchboard directing messages to sensory areas.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Limbic System

Neural structures associated with emotion and drives.

Amygdala

Linked to fear and anger emotions.

Hippocampus

Responsible for formation of new explicit memories.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body maintenance activities like eating and temperature.

Frontal Lobe

Concerned with reasoning, planning, speech, and emotions.

Temporal Lobe

Concerned with auditory stimuli perception and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information.

Parietal Lobe

Processes stimuli related to touch and pain.

Aphasia

Impairment of language abilities.

Broca’s Area

Controls speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Controls language comprehension.

Plasticity

Brain's ability to modify itself after injury.

Psychoactive Drugs

Chemicals that alter thoughts and feelings.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down neural activity.

Stimulant Drugs

Excite neural activity and increase body functions.

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perception.

Consciousness

Subjective awareness of self and environment.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock regulating daily rhythms.

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep associated with vivid dreams.

Sleep Disorders

Recurring problems with sleep such as insomnia.

Dream

Sequences of images and thoughts during sleep.

Sensation

Process of sensory receptors receiving stimulus energies.

Bottom-Up Processing

Processing that starts with sensory input.

Top-Down Processing

Processing guided by higher-level mental processes.

Transduction

Conversion of physical energy into neural impulses.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus energy for detection 50% of the time.

Signal Detection Theory

Predicts detection of faint stimuli amid noise.

Difference Threshold

Minimum difference required to detect a change.

Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity due to constant stimulation.

Pupil

Adjustable opening in the eye for light entry.

Accommodation

Lens changes shape to focus light on retina.

Retina

Light-sensitive inner surface of the eye.

Rods

Retinal receptors sensitive to movement and low light.

Cones

Retinal receptors that detect fine detail and color.

Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory

Theory that retina contains three types of color receptors.

Opponent-Process Theory

Theory that opposing processes enable color vision.