Psychology Key Terms Review

These flashcards cover essential psychological concepts that are important for exam preparation.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, calming nervous activity.

Galton

A pioneer in the field of psychometrics and human intelligence; known for his work in eugenics.

Gambler’s Fallacy

The belief that past random events affect future random events in probability.

Gate-Control Theory

A theory that explains how the brain can inhibit pain by closing 'gates' in the spinal cord.

Gender Identity

An individual's personal sense of their gender, which may not necessarily align with the sex assigned at birth.

Glial Cells

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Hindbrain

A region of the brain that includes structures such as the medulla and pons, important for basic life functions.

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in the formation of new memories and spatial navigation.

Infancy Period

The stage of human development that occurs from birth to 2 years of age.

Individualism

A social pattern that emphasizes personal autonomy and the individual over collective identity.

Introspection

The examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings.

Kinesthesis

The sense that detects bodily position, weight, or movement of muscles, tendons, and joints.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique for combining the findings from independent studies.

Motor Cortex

The region of the brain responsible for voluntary movement control.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Perception

The process of organizing, interpreting, and consciously experiencing information from the senses.

Psychotherapy

The treatment of mental disorder by psychological rather than medical means.