Learning & Study Strategies Overview

A set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on learning, study strategies, psychological concepts, neurological functions, and research methods.

Retrieval Practice

Actively recalling info strengthens memory.

Spaced Practice

Studying over time improves retention.

Interleaving

Mixing topics boosts learning.

Concrete Examples

Specific examples clarify abstract ideas.

Elaboration

Explaining ideas in your own words.

Metacognition Cycle

Planning, monitoring, and evaluating your learning.

Learning Cycle

Encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

Attention

Focused mental engagement.

Inattentional Blindness

Missing visible objects when attention is elsewhere.

Change Blindness

Failing to notice changes in a visual scene.

Psychological Science

Study of mind, brain, and behavior using empirical methods.

Confirmation Bias

Seeking info that supports beliefs.

Post-hoc Fallacy

Assuming causation from sequence.

Hindsight Bias

‘I knew it all along’ effect.

Availability Heuristic

Judging likelihood based on ease of recall.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Low-ability people overestimate their competence.

Philosophical Roots

Mind-body dualism, empiricism.

Experimental Psychology

Scientific study of behavior.

Structuralism

Breaking consciousness into elements.

Functionalism

Focus on purpose of behavior.

Gestalt Psychology

Perception as whole patterns.

Freudian/Psychoanalytic

Unconscious drives, childhood experiences.

Behaviorism

Observable behavior and conditioning.

Cognitive Revolution

Mental processes, memory.

Social & Cultural Psychology

Influence of society and culture.

Scientific Method

Question, hypothesis, experiment, analyze, report.

Population vs. Sample

Entire group vs. subset studied.

Construct Validity

Does the test measure what it claims?

Internal Validity

Are results due to manipulation?

External Validity

Can results generalize beyond the study?

Descriptive Methods

Observing behavior.

Correlational Methods

Examining relationships, not causation.

Experimental Methods

Manipulating variables to test cause-effect.

Observational Studies

Watching behavior in natural settings.

Self-Reports

Surveys and interviews.

Case Studies

In-depth analysis of individuals/groups.

Third Variable Problem

Hidden variable may explain correlation.

Random Assignment

Equal chance of group placement.

Neurons

Cells that transmit signals.

Communication System

Electrical and chemical signaling.

Expensive Organ

Uses ~20% of body’s energy.

Frontal Lobe

Functions: Thought, planning, and movement.

Parietal Lobe

Functions: Touch and spatial relations.

Temporal Lobe

Functions: Hearing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Functions: Vision.

Dual Coding

Utilizing both visual and verbal information to enhance memory.

Neuron Structure and Function

Parts of the neuron impact information processing.

Action Potential

Process initiating neuron communication.

Brain Stem

Regulates basic life functions.

Cerebellum

Functions: Coordination of movement and balance.

Hippocampus

Main function: Memory formation and retrieval.

Thalamus

Sensory gateway for processing sensory information.

Basal Ganglia

Involved in movement and the reward system.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body functions like temperature, hunger.

Amygdala

Involved in emotion regulation and memory processing.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural connections.

Gene-Environment Interactions (GxE)

Dynamic interplay between genes and environmental factors.

Antisocial Behavior

Behavior influenced by genetic makeup and childhood maltreatment.

Epigenetics

Interaction of genetic and environmental factors impacting development.