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Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior
Observable actions.
Mental Processes
Thoughts, feelings, and motives.
Critical Thinking
Evaluating evidence and forming conclusions based on facts.
Scientific Method
A systematic process involving observation, hypothesis, testing, conclusion, and evaluation.
Wilhelm Wundt
Founder of the first psychology lab in 1879, focused on measuring mental processes.
Structuralism
An approach in psychology that studies the structure of the mind.
Functionalism
An approach that focuses on how behavior helps us adapt to the environment.
Behaviorism
An approach that focuses on observable behavior.
Cognitive Psychology
The study of mental processes such as memory and problem-solving.
Biopsychosocial Approach
An integrated approach that combines biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Dual Processing
The principle that information is processed simultaneously on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
Neurons
The building blocks of the nervous system.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience.
Sensory Neurons
Carry information from sensory organs to the brain.
Motor Neurons
Carry information from the brain to muscles.
Interneurons
Communicate within the brain and spinal cord.
Action Potential
An electrical charge that travels down the axon.
Synapse
The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit messages across the synapse.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Includes all other neural structures.
Somatic Nervous System
Controls voluntary movements.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Arouses the body for fight or flight responses.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Calms the body after stress.
Brainstem
Controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Limbic System
Involved in emotion and memory.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-level functions.
Frontal Lobe
Associated with reasoning, motor control, and planning.
Parietal Lobe
Processes sensory information.
Occipital Lobe
Responsible for vision.
Temporal Lobe
Responsible for hearing and memory.
EEG
Measures electrical activity in the brain.
MRI
Produces images of brain structures.
fMRI
Shows brain activity by detecting blood flow.
Sleep
A periodic, natural loss of consciousness.
Circadian Rhythm
Internal clock influencing sleep-wake cycles.
N1 Sleep Stage
Light sleep characterized by theta waves.
N2 Sleep Stage
Sleep with theta waves and sleep spindles.
N3 Sleep Stage
Deep sleep characterized by delta waves.
REM Sleep
Paradoxical sleep where vivid dreaming occurs.
Sleep Deprivation
Weakens the immune system and impairs memory.
Dreams
Vivid experiences that occur mainly during REM sleep.
Neuroplasticity (in sleep)
The brain's ability to reorganize and strengthen connections.
Zygote
Fertilized egg that rapidly divides and develops into an embryo.
Embryo
Developing human organism from 2 weeks to 8 weeks after fertilization.
Fetus
Developing human organism from 9 weeks to birth.
Schemas
Concepts or frameworks that organize information.
Assimilation
Interpreting new information using existing schemas.
Accommodation
Adjusting schemas to incorporate new information.
Theory of Mind
The ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others.
Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage
Understanding objects continue to exist even when not perceivable.
Piaget's Preoperational Stage
Characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.
Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage
Ability to perform logical operations on concrete objects.
Piaget's Formal Operational Stage
Ability for hypothetical and deductive reasoning.
Scaffolding
Support provided by knowledgeable others to build skills.
Zone of Proximal Development
Range of skills that a child can perform with assistance.
Secure Attachment
Infants are comfortable in their caregiver's presence.
Erikson's Trust vs Mistrust Stage
First stage of psychosocial development in infancy.
Erikson's Intimacy vs Isolation Stage
Stage where young adults seek strong relationships.
Parenting Styles
Different approaches that parents use to raise children.
Developmental Psychology
The study of physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan.
Transduction
The process of converting one form of energy into another.
Photoreceptors
Cells that detect light; enabling the sense of sight.
Absolute Threshold
The minimum stimulus energy that can be detected.
Subliminal Perception
Detection of stimuli below the level of conscious awareness.
Gestalt Psychology
The study of how people naturally organize perceptions.
Binocular Cues
Depth cues that depend on the use of both eyes.
Audition
The sense or act of hearing.
Nociceptors
Receptors that detect harmful stimuli.
Kinesthetic Senses
Provide information about movement, posture, and orientation.
McGurk Effect
A perceptual phenomenon that demonstrates interaction between hearing and vision.
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