AP Psychology 2nd 9 Weeks Midterm

Sensation

Process of receiving sensory input from the environment.

Perception

Process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

Bottom-Up Processing

Analysis starting with sensory input and building to perception.

Top-Down Processing

Using prior knowledge and experience to interpret sensory input.

Selective Attention

Focusing on a specific stimulus while ignoring others.

Inattentional Blindness

Failing to notice visible objects when attention is elsewhere.

Change Blindness

Failing to notice changes in the environment.

Transduction

Conversion of sensory energy into neural signals.

Psychophysics

Study of relationships between stimuli and sensory experience.

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulus intensity detectable 50% of the time.

Signal Detection Theory

Predicts when stimuli are detected amid background noise.

Subliminal

Below the threshold of conscious awareness.

Priming

Activation of associations, affecting perception or response.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference)

Minimum difference detectable between stimuli.

Weber’s Law

To perceive a difference, stimuli must differ by a constant proportion.

Sensory Adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to constant stimulation.

Perceptual Set

Mental predisposition to perceive one thing over another.

Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

Controversial claim of perception beyond sensory input.

Parapsychology

Study of paranormal phenomena.

Wavelength

Distance between peaks of light or sound waves.

Hue

Color determined by wavelength of light.

Intensity

Brightness or loudness determined by wave amplitude.

Pupil

Adjustable opening in the eye controlling light entry.

Iris

Colored part of the eye controlling pupil size.

Lens

Changes shape to focus images on the retina.

Retina

Contains receptor cells for vision.

Accommodation

Eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects.

Rods

Retinal receptors detecting black, white, and gray; work in dim light.

Cones

Retinal receptors for color and detail in bright light.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual information to the brain.

Blind Spot

Area where optic nerve leaves the eye, with no receptor cells.

Fovea

Central focus area of the retina with many cones.

Feature Detectors

Brain cells responding to specific visual features.

Parallel Processing

Simultaneous processing of different visual information.

Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory

Retina has three color receptors (red, green, blue).

Opponent-Process Theory

Opposing retinal processes enable color vision.

Gestalt

Emphasizes perceiving whole forms rather than individual parts.

Figure-Ground

Distinguishing objects from their background.

Grouping

Organizing stimuli into meaningful groups.

Depth Perception

Ability to perceive three dimensions.

Visual Cliff

Apparatus testing depth perception in infants and animals.

Binocular Cues

Depth cues requiring both eyes (e.g., retinal disparity).

Retinal Disparity

Difference between images from each eye, used for depth perception.

Monocular Cues

Depth cues using one eye (e.g., relative size, interposition).

Phi Phenomenon

Perception of motion when lights blink on/off in succession.

Perceptual Constancy

Perceiving objects as unchanging despite differences in viewing conditions.

Color Constancy

Perception of consistent color under varying lighting.

Perceptual Adaptation

Adjusting to altered sensory input.

Audition

Sense of hearing.

Frequency

Number of sound wave cycles per second, determining pitch.

Pitch

Highness or lowness of a sound, based on frequency.

Middle Ear

Chamber between the eardrum and cochlea, containing three small bones.

Cochlea

Spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear for sound processing.

Inner Ear

Contains the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Damage to cochlea's receptor cells or auditory nerves.

Conduction Hearing Loss

Damage to the mechanical system conducting sound waves.

Cochlear Implant

Device converting sounds into electrical signals for hearing.

Place Theory

Links pitch perception to stimulation location on the cochlea.

Frequency Theory

Links pitch perception to frequency of auditory nerve impulses.

Gate-Control Theory

Spinal cord has a 'gate' that blocks or allows pain signals.

Kinesthesia

Sense of body position and movement.

Vestibular Sense

Sense of balance, based on head movement and position.

Sensory Interaction

One sense influences another (e.g., taste and smell).

Embodied Cognition

Interaction of body sensations and cognitive processes.

Consciousness

Awareness of self and environment.

Hypnosis

Social interaction where one person suggests to another changes in perception, feeling, thought, or behavior.

Posthypnotic Suggestion

A suggestion made during hypnosis to be carried out afterward.

Dissociation

A split in consciousness allowing simultaneous thoughts or behaviors.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock regulating bodily rhythms on a 24-hour cycle.

REM Sleep

Sleep stage with vivid dreams and rapid eye movements; body is paralyzed but brain is active.

Alpha Waves

Slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Sleep

Periodic, natural loss of consciousness.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences without external stimuli.

Delta Waves

Large, slow brain waves during deep sleep.

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep encompassing all sleep stages except REM.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Brain structure regulating circadian rhythms using light signals.

Insomnia

Recurring difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Uncontrollable sleep attacks directly into REM sleep.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep leading to awakenings.

Night Terrors

High arousal and fear during NREM-3 sleep, not remembered upon waking.

Dream

Sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts during sleep.

Manifest Content

Freudian concept of a dream’s apparent storyline.

Latent Content

Freudian concept of a dream’s underlying meaning.

REM Rebound

Increased REM sleep after deprivation.

Substance Use Disorder

Continued substance use despite significant life disruption.

Psychoactive Drug

Chemical substance altering perception and mood.

Tolerance

Needing increased doses for the same effect.

Addiction

Compulsive craving and use of a substance.

Withdrawal

Discomfort after stopping an addictive drug.

Depressants

Drugs reducing neural activity and slowing body functions.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use leading to tolerance, withdrawal, and harmful consequences.

Barbiturates

Depressants reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Opiates

Depress neural activity and reduce pain (e.g., morphine, heroin).

Stimulants

Drugs increasing neural activity and energy.

Amphetamines

Stimulants boosting mood and energy.

Nicotine

Addictive drug in tobacco.

Cocaine

Stimulant producing temporary euphoria.

Methamphetamine

Stimulant with long-lasting effects on mood and energy.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Stimulant and hallucinogen promoting social connection.

Hallucinogens

Drugs distorting perception.