PSYCHOLOGY ESSAYS

biopsychosocial approach

Explains behavior by looking at biological, psychological, and social factors.

nature vs. nurture

Nature refers to genetic traits, while nurture refers to environmental influences and experiences.

replication in research

Repeating a study to determine the reliability of the results.

social desirability bias

When participants respond in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others.

informed consent

Participants must understand and agree to the study before participating.

protection from harm

Researchers should avoid causing unnecessary physical or emotional harm to participants.

correlation does not prove causation

A correlation between two variables does not mean one causes the other.

neurons

Specialized cells responsible for transmitting information throughout the body.

limbic system

A group of brain structures involved in emotions, motivation, learning, and memory.

cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for thinking, sensation, and voluntary movement.

autonomic nervous system

Regulates involuntary body functions and has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

brain plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt by forming new connections.

neurogenesis

The process of creating new neurons in the brain.

sensation

The detection of physical stimuli by sensory organs.

perception

The brain's organization and interpretation of sensory information.

absolute threshold

The minimum stimulus level that can be detected 50% of the time.

difference threshold

The smallest detectable difference between two stimuli 50% of the time.

sensory adaptation

The decreased sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged exposure.

monocular cues

Depth perception cues that can be perceived using only one eye.

zygote

The initial cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg.

embryo

The developing human from the second to the eighth week after fertilization.

fetus

The developing human from the ninth week after fertilization until birth.

teratogens

Substances that can cause harm during prenatal development.

dementia

A decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life.

Alzheimer's disease

A specific brain disease that is the most common cause of dementia.

assimilation

Using existing knowledge to understand new information.

accommodation

Changing existing knowledge to incorporate new information.

attachment

The emotional bond formed between an infant and a caregiver.

Harlow's experiments

Studies showing the importance of body contact in attachment over nourishment.