PSYC 104 Final Exam Review

Chapter 1-15 excluding 12

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.