AP Psych Vocab

absolute threshold

the minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time

accommodation

(1) the process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina. (2) adapting our current understandings to incorporate new information

achievement motivation

a desire for significant accomplishment; for mastery of things, people, or ideas; for rapidly attaining a high standard

achievement tests

tests designed to assess what a person has learned

acoustic encoding

the encoding of sound, especially the sound of words

acquisition

in classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical sharge that travels down an axon

active listening

empathic listening in which the listener echoes, restates, and clarifies. A feature of Rogers' client-centered therapy

adaptation-level phenomenon

our tendency to form judgments (of sounds, lights, income) relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence

adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

aerobic exercise

sustained exercise that increases heart and lung fitness; may also alleviate depression and anxiety

aggression

physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone

algorithm

a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem. Contrasts with the usually speedier - but also more error-prone - use of heuristics

alpha waves

relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

amnesia

the loss of memory

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up functions and associated energy and mood changes

amygdala

two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion