Studied by 4 people
Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes, including thoughts and feelings.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate
Discussion regarding the relative importance of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in shaping behaviors.
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to believe one could have predicted an event's outcome after it has occurred.
Overconfidence
The tendency to overestimate one's knowledge or abilities.
Scientific Attitude
An approach characterized by curiosity, skepticism, and humility in scientific inquiry.
Theory
A comprehensive explanation that predicts behaviors and events based on principles.
Hypothesis
A testable prediction derived from a theory.
Nervous System
Comprises the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS); crucial for information processing and bodily coordination.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-order functions, divided into four lobes.
Frontal Lobe
Part of the cerebral cortex responsible for judgment, personality, and intellect.
Temporal Lobe
Part of the cerebral cortex involved in hearing, memory, and smell.
Parietal Lobe
Area of the brain associated with sensory processing.
Occipital Lobe
Region of the brain dedicated to vision.
Limbic System
Brain structures involved in emotional processing, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus.
Neurons
Basic units of the nervous system responsible for communication within the brain and body.
Action Potential
An electrical impulse that travels along a neuron, crucial for signal transmission.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.
Consciousness
Awareness of self and the environment.
Dual Processing
Simultaneous processing of information on both conscious and unconscious levels.
Selective Attention
Focusing awareness on specific stimuli while filtering out others.
Circadian Rhythms
Biological processes that cycle around a 24-hour period, influencing sleep patterns.
REM Sleep
Stage of sleep associated with dreaming.
Depressants
Drugs such as alcohol that inhibit brain functioning.
Stimulants
Substances like caffeine and cocaine that increase brain activity and alertness.
Hallucinogens
Drugs such as LSD that alter perception and may induce hallucinations.
Sensation
Detection of physical energy from the environment and conversion to neural signals.
Perception
Interpretation of sensory information to create a meaningful experience.
Absolute Threshold
Minimum stimulus intensity needed for detection 50% of the time.
Subliminal Threshold
Stimulus level detected below conscious awareness.
Adaptation
Diminished sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time.
Trichromatic Theory
Theory that three types of color receptors in the eye allow color perception.
Classical Conditioning
Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus.
Operant Conditioning
Learning method where behaviors are shaped by rewards or punishments.
Reinforcement
A consequence that strengthens a behavior.
Punishment
A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
Observational Learning
Learning that occurs by watching others.
Atkinson-Shiffrin Model
Framework describing memory formation in stages: sensory, short-term, and long-term.
Working Memory
Short-term memory involving conscious processing of information.
Encoding
Process of transferring information into memory storage.
Explicit Memory
Type of memory for facts and knowledge.
Implicit Memory
Type of memory for skills and habits.
Forgetting
Loss of memory that can result from interference or misinformation.
Sensorimotor Stage
Developmental stage where infants develop object permanence.
Preoperational Stage
Developmental stage characterized by egocentric thinking.
Concrete Operational Stage
Stage where children begin to think logically about concrete events.
Formal Operational Stage
Developmental stage involving abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning.
Motivation
Drives that influence behavior, including instincts and needs.
James-Lange Theory
Theory positing that emotions arise from physiological reactions.
Cannon-Bard Theory
Theory suggesting physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously.
Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory
Perspective focusing on the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior.
Big Five Traits
Personality traits including Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
Attribution Theory
Theory exploring how individuals explain the causes of behavior.
Stress Response
Physiological reaction originating from the fight-or-flight response.
Coping Mechanisms
Strategies for managing stress, including problem-focused and emotion-focused approaches.
Note 
Flashcard (86)