IB Psych SL content

Psych SL content for the exam, bio, cog, social information that would be used in a central argument.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that work in the endocrine system (bloodstream), produced and secreted by glands, and have a long lasting effect

Pituitary Gland

The main control center in the brain that produces hormones.

Adrenal Glands

Glands located above the kidneys that produce hormones.

Ovaries

Organs that produce female sex hormones.

Testes

Organs that produce male sex hormones.

Thyroid

Gland that regulates metabolism and growth by producing hormones.

Leptin

Hormone associated with the feeling of fullness.

Ghrelin

Hormone associated with the feeling of hunger.

Melatonin

Hormone associated with sleepiness.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone.

Progesterone

Female sex hormone.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone.

Thyroxine

Hormone associated with growth and metabolism.

Oxytocin

Hormone associated with love and connection.

Cortisol

Hormone associated with stress.

Genetic Similarity

The quantitative measure of the relative contribution of genetic factors into a trait or behavior.

Genes

Segments of DNA that code for our unique genotypes and phenotypes.

Genotype

Genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Physical characteristics.

Chromosomes

Structures found inside the nucleus of the cell, around which DNA is wrapped.

Allele

Different versions of the same gene (long vs short).

Methylation

Process where genes are 'turned off' because methyl tags attach to the genes.

Epigenetics

The interaction between genes and environment.

Niche-picking

Process where people seek out environments based on their genes.

Protective Factors

Factors that decrease the chances that specific genes will be activated as a mechanism for protection against illness and disease or mental health concerns.

Additive Influence

When things combine, they have great effects.

Evolution

The process by which organisms change from generation to generation as a result of change in heritable characteristics.

Differential Fitness

The varying fitness rates.

Natural Selection

Environment selects traits that keep organism alive in specific conditions.

Pheromones

Chemical messengers secreted through bodily fluids.

Localization

The idea that specific structures are meant to perform specific functions.

Broca's Area

Brain area associated with speech production.

Wernicke's Area

Brain area associated with speech comprehension.

Neuroplasticity

Brain structures can change as a result of different needs, learning, and practice.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals through the nervous system (brain and spine made of neurons).

Resting Potential

Around -70mV.

Threshold Potential

Around -50mV.

Peak Action Potential

Around +30mV.

Reuptake

A process by which neurotransmitters can re-enter the presynaptic neuron.

Motor Neuron

Neuron that connects to muscles to facilitate movements.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that transmit information about the environment.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that stop things from happening when they bind, e.g., Serotonin.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that encourage things to happen when they bind, e.g., Dopamine.

Agonists

Substances often drugs that encourage things to happen.

Antagonists

Substances often drugs that stop things from happening.

Emotion

A subjective experience, physiological response, and behavior/expression.

Flashbulb Memory

Vivid memory from a surprising and emotionally arousing event.

Overt Rehearsal

Conversations with others about a flashbulb memory.

Covert Rehearsal

Replaying a flashbulb memory event in one's head.

Multi-store Memory Model

Model with sensory, short term, and long term memory stores.

Working Memory Model

Model focusing specifically on short term memory processes.

Thinking

The process of modifying information.

Decision Making

The process of choosing from a set of alternatives.

Theory of Planned Behavior

Norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control lead to an intention to perform a behavior which leads to the behavior

Reconstructive Memory

Constructing memories again, influenced by schemas, specifically scripts; an active process.

Schemas

Mental representations that organize our knowledge, beliefs, and expectations.

Scripts

How we believe events play out.

Misinformation Effect

Creates a false memory during the rebuilding phase by distorting the memory using schemas and scripts.

Heuristics

Useful shortcuts based on experiences that can cause errors (cognitive biases).

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory that examines how norms, attitudes, identity, and behaviors are transmitted between group members (how we learn from others).

Socialization

The process by which people become members of social groups.

Bandura's Triadic Reciprocal Determinism Hypothesis

Behavior, actions and decisions influence personal internal abilities and vise verse which influences environmental external spaces and vise versa.

Social Identity Theory

A theory of intergroup conflict. Explains how individuals categorize themselves and others into groups, leading to the formation of social identities and influencing their behavior towards both ingroups and outgroups.

Social Identity

The self in terms of group membership.

Cultural Dimensions

Created to explain patterns of human behavior across cultures and they were created through questionnaires and they act on a spectrum. Ex. Power distance index, Individualism and collectivism, masulinity vs. feminintiy, uncertainty avoidance, long term vs. short term orientation

Culture

Tools, practices, and beliefs that groups use to survive and thrive.

Cultural Norms

A unique set of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are specific to a culture.

Acculturation

The process of changing one’s values and customs as a result of contact with other cultures

Berry’s four strategies of acculturation

Integration (biculturalism) , Assimilation (take on new culture), Separation (maintain home culture), Marginalization (separation and discrimination)

Origins of Culture

Based on a need for humans to make social connections for emotional needs of feeling belonging, survival, and to create unity. Culture is universal for humans.

Surface Culture

aspects of culture that can be easily observed.

Deep Culture

cognitive aspects known by the member, but hard to recognize for non-members

Westernization

the shift of non-western cultures to western-like cultures

Information processing model

Consists of system 1 which is intuitive, automatic, unconscious in thought that are based off of schemas and system 2 which is rational, slow and conscious thoughts.

Cognitive dissonance

mental stress caused by contradictory beliefs, ideas, and actions