Expanded Psychology Final Flashcards

What does WEIRD stand for in psychology research?

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic

In classical conditioning, what is the Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?

A neutral stimulus paired with the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., bell with food).

Which law states that the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) is proportional to stimulus intensity?

Weber’s Law

Which memory type has the shortest duration?

Sensory memory (milliseconds to ~2 seconds).

What are the three stages of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome?

Alarm → Resistance → Exhaustion

Which hormone is most closely linked to stress?

Cortisol

Which part of the brain is responsible for complex thought?

Forebrain

Which reinforcement increases behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus?

Negative reinforcement

What is the correct order of light entering the eye?

Cornea → Pupil → Lens → Retina → Optic nerve

Which memory strategy involves grouping information into meaningful units?

Chunking

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

Responding to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

Learning to respond only to the specific conditioned stimulus.

What are the four types of operant conditioning consequences?

Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, Negative punishment.

What is observational learning?

Learning by watching and imitating others (Bandura’s Bobo doll).

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What are the subdivisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Sympathetic (fight/flight) and Parasympathetic (rest/digest).

What is the role of the spinal cord?

Relays signals between brain and body; reflex center

What is sensation?

Detecting physical stimuli and converting them into neural signals.

What is perception?

Brain’s interpretation and organization of sensory input.

What are the three memory processes?

Encoding, Storage, Retrieval.

What are four key memory strategies?

Chunking, Elaboration, Rehearsal, Consolidation.

What is homeostasis?

Body’s tendency to maintain internal balance.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic = internal drive (curiosity); Extrinsic = external rewards (grades, money).

What are the two types of stress?

Acute (short‑term) and Chronic (long‑term).

What are health risks of chronic stress?

Cardiovascular disease, weakened immune system.

What are the three evolutionary parts of the brain?

Hindbrain (survival), Midbrain (sensory integration), Forebrain (complex thought).

What is consciousness?

Awareness of self and environment.

What is the pain matrix?

Brain regions processing pain: somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate, insula.

What study technique strengthens recall by testing yourself?

Active recall.

What study technique spreads practice over time?

Spaced repetition.

Why is sleep important for memory?

Consolidation of memory traces occurs during sleep.