IB Pyschology SL Paper 1 Key Terms

Describe, Explain, Outline

Describe-show what you know about topic, give examples

Explain-explain how something works, show knowledge of cause and effect relationship

Outline-brief summary, no examples unless specified

Localization of behavior

Different parts of the brain have different functions

Neuroplasticity

Adapting to change in response to the environment

Inhibitory and Excitatory Synapses

Inhibitory synapses-decrease likelihood of neurons firing

Excitatory synapses-increase likelihood of neurons firing

Neurotransmitter

brain’s chemical messengers that transfer info from one neuron to another

Quasi-experiment

Experiment in which participants are chose because of a specific trait

Neural pruning, formation of neural networks

Neural pruning-destruction of neurons and synaptic connections

Formation of neural networks-new synaptic connections formed, happens while learning

Grey matter

part of brain in charge of motor skills and processes info

Researcher triangulation

Using many researchers/observers to get multiple opinions when analyzing results

Serotonin

neurotransmitter in charge of regulating sleep, appetite and mood

Longitudinal case study

Repeated study of specific topic over long period of time

Phonological loop

verbal STM component

Hormone vs. pheromone

Pheromone-chemical substance released into environment that changes species’ behavior or physiology

Hormones-chemicals in body that affect behavior

True experiment

experiment in which participants are randomly allocated to conditions

Anchoring bias

tendency to rely on first piece of info given when making decisions

Ecological fallacy

assumption that when one group shares a trait they share other related traits

Case study

Detailed study about specific subject

Assimilation vs. enculturation vs. acculturation

Assimilation-leaving previous culture and having a positive relationship with new culture

Enculturation-maintaining own culture

Acculturation-changing own culture to fit in

Power distance index, short-term vs. long-term orientation

Power distance index-how much a society values status and authority

Short-term orientation-traditional values maintained

Long-term orientation-focus on future

Social identity theory vs. social cognitive theory

Social identity theory-we don’t have just one identity, we have many formed by the in-groups we are a part of

Social cognitive theory-humans learn by imitating models

Cause and effect vs. correlational relationship

Cause and effect relationship-something happens as a result of something else

Correlational relationship-one change tends to happen when the other happens, but is not necessarily caused by the other change

Semi-structural interviews

Interview with pre-determined open-ended questions but interviewer allows for flow of participant responses and emerging themes