AP Psychology Unit Review: Biological Bases, Perception, and Consciousness

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the core concepts of biological bases, sensation, perception, and consciousness from the AP Psychology unit review.

Sensation

The process the nervous system uses to detect physical stimuli and translate them into action potentials that the brain can interpret and understand.

Perception

The interpretation of sensory signals in the brain through the normal functioning of the thalamus and cortical tissues.

Brain

The command center of the nervous system that runs the activity of all its subdivisions.

Endocrine system

A network of glands controlled by the hypothalamus that produces hormones traveling through the blood and body tissues to influence growth, emotions, and behavior.

Hypothalamus

A small organ in the brain that controls the endocrine system's network of glands.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers utilized alongside specialized cells (neurons and glia) by the nervous system to provide instant communication throughout the body.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system that travel through blood and body tissues to influence growth, emotions, and behavior.

Nature via nurture

The concept describing the way nurture promotes or discourages genetic potentials, providing a more accurate framework than 'nature versus nurture.'

Sensory integration

The interactive process where separate sensory systems depend on and interact with one another.

Sleep hygiene

Healthy habits and practices that help an individual achieve a good night's rest.

Psychoactive drugs

Substances characterized by their chemical makeup, short-term effects, addictive qualities, potential for long-term damage, and disruption of nervous system processes.

Slow (delta) wave sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by slow delta waves that serves a key function in preserving body and nervous system health.

REM sleep

A state of consciousness associated with dreaming, whose proposed purpose is debated among competing psychological theories.

Chemical senses

The sensory modalities of taste (gustation) and smell (olfaction), which interact closely during sensory processing.

Sensory systems

The seven interrelated systems where sensation and perception occur: vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, balance, and kinesthetic.

Monocular and binocular cues

The two primary classes of visual cues used by the visual system to organize and perceive depth.