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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.