PSYCH TEST TODAY

Absolute threshold

The minimum stimulus needed for detection.

Difference threshold

The smallest difference between two stimuli that can be detected.

Weber’s Law

The principle that the size of the Just-Noticeable Difference (JND) is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.

Photoreceptors (rods and cones)

The cells in the retina responsible for detecting light.

Trichromatic theory

The theory of color vision that suggests we have three types of cones (red, green, blue) that allow us to see color.

Opponent-process theory

The theory that color perception is controlled by the activity of two opponent systems (red-green, blue-yellow).

Frequency theory

Explains how we perceive pitch based on the frequency of sound waves.

Place theory

Explains pitch perception based on where vibrations occur on the basilar membrane.

Cochlea

The spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that plays a key role in hearing.

Transduction

The process of converting stimuli into neural signals.

Sensory adaptation

The diminishing sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.

Gestalt Psychology

A theory that emphasizes the human ability to perceive patterns and wholes, not just parts.

Top-down processing

Perception that is guided by higher-level cognitive processes, like expectations.

Bottom-up processing

Perception that starts with sensory input and works up to higher cognitive processes.

Selective attention

The process of focusing on one specific thing while ignoring others.

Change blindness

The failure to notice significant changes in a visual scene.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or 'rules of thumb' used for problem-solving and decision-making.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution to a problem.

Executive Functions

Higher-order cognitive processes involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and planning.

Framing

The way information is presented that influences decision-making.

Mental Set

A tendency to approach problems in a particular way, often based on past experiences.

Gambler’s Fallacy

The mistaken belief that past random events influence future random events.

Sunk-cost Fallacy

The tendency to continue an endeavor once an investment in money, effort, or time has been made.

Creativity

The ability to produce novel and valuable ideas.

Convergent Thinking

Narrowing down multiple ideas to a single solution.

Divergent Thinking

Generating a wide variety of possible solutions to a problem.

Long-Term Memory

The stage of memory with the capacity to store information for long periods of time.

Encoding

The process of getting information into memory.

Retrieval

The process of getting information out of memory.

Working Memory

A memory system involved in holding and processing information temporarily.

Long-Term Potentiation

A long-lasting strengthening of synapses between nerve cells, believed to be the basis of learning and memory.

Episodic Memory

Memory for specific events or experiences.

Semantic Memory

Memory for facts and general knowledge.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious memory (e.g., how to ride a bike).

Explicit Memory

Conscious memory (e.g., remembering a specific date).

Levels of Processing Model

The theory that memory retention depends on how deeply information is processed.

Memory Retention

The ability to retain information over time.

Rehearsal

Repeating information to encode it into long-term memory.

Amnesia

Memory loss, often caused by trauma or brain injury.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disease that affects memory and cognition.

Context-dependent Memory

The phenomenon where memory retrieval is better when in the same environment as when the memory was encoded.

State-dependent Memory

The phenomenon where memory retrieval is better when in the same emotional or physical state as when the memory was encoded.

Recall

Retrieving information without cues.

Recognition

Identifying information from a set of options.

Intelligence

The ability to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, and solve problems.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A measure of intelligence derived from standardized tests.

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s theory that intelligence is composed of several types, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical.

Reliability

The consistency of a test's results over time.

Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Growth Mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort.

Fixed Mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence are static and cannot change.

Availability Heuristic

Estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.

Assimilation

Interpreting new information based on existing schemas or frameworks.

Accommodation

Adjusting schemas to incorporate new information.

Prototypes

Mental representations of the most typical examples of a category.

Echoic Memory

A brief sensory memory of auditory stimuli.

Iconic Memory

A brief sensory memory of visual stimuli.

Phonological Loop

The part of working memory that deals with auditory information.

Visuospatial Sketchpad

The part of working memory that processes visual and spatial information.

Infantile Amnesia

The inability to remember events from early childhood.

Autobiographical Memory

Memory of one’s life events and experiences.

Elaborative Rehearsal

A technique for improving memory by associating new information with existing knowledge.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.

Mood-congruent Memory

The tendency to recall memories that are consistent with one’s current mood.

Testing Effect

The phenomenon where taking tests helps improve memory retention.

Constructive Memory

Memory that is influenced by current knowledge and expectations.

Encoding Failure

The inability to store information in long-term memory due to a failure to encode it properly.

Forgetting Curve

A graph that shows how information is forgotten over time.

Misinformation Effect

The distortion of memories due to misleading information.

Proactive Interference

When old information interferes with the ability to learn new information.

Retroactive Interference

When new information interferes with the recall of old information.

Flynn Effect

The observed rise in IQ scores over time.

Aptitude Tests

Tests designed to measure potential or ability in a specific area.

Achievement Tests

Tests designed to measure what someone has already learned or accomplished.

Test-Retest Reliability

The consistency of test results when the same test is given multiple times.