Psychology: Core Concepts (8th ed.) - Chapters 1-4 Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards for Chapters 1-4 of Psychology: Core Concepts (8th ed.), covering essential terms and definitions.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Critical Thinking

Carefully examining evidence and claims before accepting them as true.

Pseudopsychology

False or unscientific explanations presented as psychology.

Biological Perspective

Focuses on brain, genes, hormones, and nervous system.

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behavior and learning.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Scientific Method

A process for testing ideas: develop hypothesis, collect data, analyze results, replicate/publish.

Experiment

A study that manipulates an independent variable to measure its effect on a dependent variable.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is changed or manipulated.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables (does NOT prove causation).

Replication

The process of confirming results are reliable.

Natural Selection

The process where traits that improve survival are passed on.

DNA

Genetic material that carries biological instructions.

Epigenetics

How environment influences gene expression.

Neuron

A nerve cell that transmits information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers between neurons.

Neural Plasticity

The brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Endocrine System

System of glands that release hormones.

Frontal Lobe

Controls decision-making, planning, personality, movement.

Temporal Lobe

Controls hearing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Controls vision.

Cerebral Dominance

Specialization of left and right hemispheres.

Broca’s Area

Involved in speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Involved in language comprehension.

Sensation

Detecting physical energy from the environment.

Perception

Interpreting sensory information.

Transduction

Converting physical energy into neural signals.

Absolute Threshold

Smallest detectable stimulus 50% of the time.

Signal Detection Theory

How we detect stimuli amid background noise.

Rods

Retinal cells for low light and peripheral vision.

Cones

Retinal cells for color and detail.

Blind Spot

Area with no photoreceptors.

Bottom-Up Processing

Data-driven processing starting with sensory input.

Top-Down Processing

Using prior knowledge to interpret stimuli.

Perceptual Constancies

Seeing objects as stable despite changes in light, angle, distance.

Illusion

A misinterpretation of sensory information.

Gestalt Principle

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Depth Perception

Ability to see in three dimensions.

Synesthesia

Blending of senses (e.g., seeing sounds as colors).

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.

Classical Conditioning

Learning by association.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Previously neutral stimulus that triggers response after learning.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned reaction to conditioned stimulus.

Extinction

Weakening of a conditioned response.

Generalization

Responding similarly to similar stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences.

Reinforcement

Anything that increases behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something desirable.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant.

Punishment

Anything that decreases behavior.

Reinforcement Schedule

Pattern of delivering rewards.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others.

Insight Learning

Sudden realization of a solution.

Cognitive Map

Mental representation of environment.