AP Psychology Study Notes

Key Concepts of AP Psychology

Heredity and Environment

• Heredity: Transmission of traits from one generation to another.
• Nature vs. Nurture Debate:
  • Nature: Genetic or inherited characteristics affecting personality, growth, and behavior.
  • Nurture: Environmental influences on individual development.
• Genetic Predisposition: Inborn tendencies, like the tendency for deviant behavior.

Language Development

• Universal Grammar: Theory proposed by Noam Chomsky that all languages share a similar underlying structure.
• Linguistic Processing: Involves the brain functions used to understand and produce language.

Twin Studies

• Monozygotic Twins: Identical twins sharing the same DNA, resulting from a single zygote splitting into two.
• Dizygotic Twins: Fraternal twins resulting from two separate ova fertilized by two individual sperm.
• Jim Twins: Identical twins separated at birth who exhibited striking similarities when reunited.
• Twin Studies: Research comparing identical and fraternal twins to assess hereditary influence.

Brain Structure and Function

• Central Nervous System: Comprises the brain and spinal cord; responsible for processing and sending signals throughout the body.
• Peripheral Nervous System: Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Includes:
  • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates involuntary functions such as heartbeat and digestion.
  • Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares body for fight-or-flight response.
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body and conserves energy.
• Neurons: Individual cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system.
• Glial Cells: Support and protect neurons.

Neural Communication

• Neural Transmission: The process by which neurons communicate through electrochemical signals.
• Action Potential: The electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron.
• Reuptake: The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the neuron that released them.
• Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses. Examples include:
  • Dopamine: Regulates motor function and pleasure.
  • Serotonin: Affects sleep, mood, and appetite.
  • GABA: Major inhibitory neurotransmitter leading to calmness; undersupply linked to seizures.

Memory

• Memory Types:
  • Explicit Memory: Facts and experiences that can be consciously recalled.
  • Implicit Memory: Retained without conscious awareness, like skills and habits.
• Encoding: The process of getting information into memory; includes techniques like chunking and mnemonic devices.
• Retrieval: The process of recalling stored information, which can be influenced by context and cues.
• Memory Models:
  • Multi-store Model: Describes three types of memory stores: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Psychological Disorders

• Anxiety Disorders: Include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
• Mood Disorders: Include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
• Dissociative Disorders: Characterized by a disconnect in identity or memory.
• Schizophrenic Disorders: Affect perception and cognition, with symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Psychotherapy Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Aims to change maladaptive thinking patterns.
• Humanistic Therapy: Focuses on self-actualization and personal growth.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores the unconscious processes influencing behavior, often rooted in childhood experiences.
• Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposes individuals to fears to reduce anxiety.

Social Psychology Concepts

• Attribution Theory: Explains how people attribute causes to behavior; includes dispositional and situational attributions.
• Social Influence: The way individuals change their behavior due to social interactions, including conformity and obedience.
• Group Dynamics: Discusses phenomena such as groupthink, social loafing, and the bystander effect.