1-6 (midterm)

Structuralism

Wundt and Titchener's approach to study the mind's structure via introspection.

Functionalism

William James' theory focused on the purpose of consciousness.

Gestalt

Wertheimer's perspective emphasizing that 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'

Behaviorism

The psychological perspective by Watson and Skinner focusing only on observable behavior.

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud's theory that unconscious motives drive behavior.

Biological Perspective

Focuses on the brain, genes, and neurotransmitters.

Developmental Perspective

Studies changes that occur across the lifespan.

Cognitive Perspective

Explores mental processes such as thinking, memory, and perception.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A modern take on Freud's ideas, concentrating on unconscious influences.

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes growth, free will, and potential, associated with Maslow and Rogers.

Scientific Method

A systematic process involving hypothesis, operational definitions, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

Confounding Variable

An extraneous variable that can affect the results of an experiment.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the independent variable.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable.

Correlational Study

Research that examines the relationship between variables, without determining cause.

Longitudinal Study

Research involving the same group of subjects over a long period.

Cohort-Sequential Study

A combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

Mean

The average value in a data set.

Median

The middle number in a sorted list.

Mode

The most frequently occurring number in a data set.

Circadian Rhythm

The biological clock regulating the sleep/wake cycle over a 24-hour period.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement, dreams, and body paralysis.

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system, including the brain and behavior.

Neuron

The basic unit of the nervous system that transmits information.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter important for muscle action and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with movement and pleasure.

Myelin Sheath

A protective coating that speeds up neural impulses along the axon.

Frontal Lobe

Brain region responsible for planning, decision-making, and motor control.

Temporal Lobe

Brain region associated with hearing and language processing.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex thought processes.

Transduction

The conversion of a physical stimulus into a neural signal.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum intensity of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behaviors.

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves mental processes and may occur without direct experience.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing others, as demonstrated in Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perception, mood, and behavior, including depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Habitual Learning

The process of learning that refers to reduced responses to repeated stimuli.