AP Psychology Final Study Cram:

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) plays a bigger role in shaping behavior.

Adoption studies

Research studying children adopted at an early age to determine if their development is more influenced by biological or adoptive parents.

Twin studies

Research comparing identical and fraternal twins to understand genetic versus environmental influences.

Genetic predisposition

An inherited tendency to develop certain behaviors or traits.

Evolutionary perspective

Explains behaviors in terms of how they may have contributed to survival and reproduction.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions like heart rate and digestion.

Action potential

A neural impulse that travels down the axon, triggered when the neuron reaches a threshold.

All-or-nothing principle

The principle stating that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released to pass signals.

Neurotransmitters (NTMs)

Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals across synapses.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, pleasure, and movement.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and increase pleasure.

Hindbrain

The part of the brain responsible for basic functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Medulla

The brain structure that controls heartbeat and breathing.

Limbic system

A set of brain structures involved in emotion and memory.

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour cycle of biological processes including the sleep/wake cycle.

Sensation

The process of sensing our environment through the five senses.

Bottom-up processing

Processing sensory information as it is coming in.

Top-down processing

Using prior knowledge and expectations to interpret sensory information.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts that help with decision making.

Episodic Memory

Memory for personal experiences and events.

Long-Term Potentiation

The strengthening of synapses that leads to long-term memory storage.

Forgetting Curve

Ebbinghaus's theory that memory retention declines over time.

Emotional Memory

Memory associated with emotions; can be vivid and strong.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A measure of an individual's intellectual abilities compared to others.

Fixed Mindset

The belief that intelligence cannot be improved.

Growth Mindset

The belief that intelligence can be developed through effort.

Reliability

The consistency of a test in measuring what it aims to measure.

Stereotype Threat

The fear of confirming negative stereotypes about one's group.