AP Psych S1 Self Study
Central Route to Persuasion: convincing others by using facts and merit
Peripheral Route to Persuasion: convincing others by using the trustworthiness, emotions, and attractiveness of the speaker
Scaffolding: breaking down new information to make it easier to understand
Generalization: tendency to respond in the same way to different but similar stimuli
Constancy: the tendency to perceive a familiar object as having a constant shape, size, and brightness despite changes that occur
Alcohol: Depressant, too much alcohol can disrupt the hippocampus
Circadian Rhythm: physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences in a 24-hour span, whether it’s light or dark has a big impact, usually when you get off a long plane ride, you’re jet-lagged which messes up your circadian rhythm
Interposition: When one object is in front of another, it is perceived as closer than the object in the back
Retinal Disparity: your left and right vision show slightly different visual images when focusing on a single object
Balance: It is influenced by semicircular canals
Retroactive Interference: When new information makes it hard to remember the old information (Ex. A teacher has to remember 170 new names every year and finds it difficult to remember the names of former students)
Proactive Interference: When old information makes it hard to remember the new information
(Ex. Learning a new phone number may be harder when you remember your old one)
Lack of encoding: When information is not properly stored in your cognitive memory
Reticular formation: a network of nuclei and neurons that acts as the brain’s “wake-up call” since its primary function is regulating alertness, consciousness, and sleep-wake cycles to alert the brain when arousal needs to be activated; it also plays a role in motor control (movement), filtering out unnecessary sensory information; it is found in the brainstem
AP Practice Exam Question: Emiko’s cat often meows for food. Emiko decides to eliminate the behavior by feeding the cat only when it does not meow. Over the next few weeks, she sometimes ignores the cat when it meows. Other times, she feeds the cat when it meows. Which of the following is the most reasonable prediction to make about the cat’s meowing for food?
The cat’s meowing will increase and continue because of the inconsistent feeding schedule. The question states that Emiko sometimes feeds her cat when it doesn’t meow and when it does. This will result in a not clear understanding of when it’s time to eat, ultimately not being able to fulfill Emiko’s goal of eliminating the meowing for food
Ethnocentrism: Belief that one’s culture, ethnicity, or nationality is superior to others. (Ex. Martin distrusts a certain religion because it is uncommon in the country where he lives. This example shows how Martin is quick to judge other belief systems because he isn’t used to it and believes the religion he is familiar with is the superior option)
Fixed ratio: Reinforcement schedule where a subject receives a reward after a set number of responses (Ex. A child receiving a sticker for every 5 math problems she solves)
Fixed interval: Reinforcement schedule where a subject receives a reward after a certain time has passed (Ex. Employees in businesses work until payday where they are compensated for their hard work)
Variable Ratio: Reinforcement schedule where behavior is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses (Ex. Gamblers keep buying lottery tickets, even when the probability of winning is random, but the thrill of winning encourages gamblers to keep purchasing tickets)
Variable Interval: Reinforcement schedule where the response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time passed (Ex. You receive text message notifications at unpredictable times, so you continue to check back to see if there are any updates, even though you aren’t sure when a new text message will arrive)
Crystallized Intelligence: Knowledge or skills acquired over time and stored in their long-term memory (“crystallized” in memory forever)
Diffusion of responsibility: a social phenomenon where people are less likely to help someone or something if there are other people present
Top-Down processing: When our brains use their expectations, experiences, and past knowledge to fill in gaps or make decisions (Ex. People are slower and make more mistakes when the word and ink color don't match. This is because people automatically recognize the word before considering the color; if you see the chair you have stubbed your toe on before and you avoid it to make sure it does not happen again)
Group polarization: When a group of like-minded people reinforces others’ opinions (positive and negative) and become more and more extreme while discussing
Reliable: Consistency of a test; Whether or not the test produces similar results when given under the same conditions
Validity: How well a test accurately measures what it was intended to measure (when a depression questionnaire accurately measures the level of depressive symptoms a person is experiencing)
Iconic Memory: Sensory memory from visual input (when you see a car pass by, you can still remember/picture the car briefly)
Echoic Memory: Sensory memory from auditory input (When a car horn sound still lingers even after it has stopped honking)
The Flynn Effect: rise in IQ scores over time
Implicit Memory: Unconscious recollection of information; technically engrained in long-term memory because of repetition that can be performed automatically (Ex. How to ride a bike or tying your shoe)
Explicit Memory: Conscious recollection of information; intentionally trying to remember a memory (Ex. Recalling an event or fact)
Anterograde amnesia: Inability to form new memories after a traumatic event (Ex. Repeatedly forgetting the name of a person/ Dory from Finding Nemo)
Retrograde amnesia: Forgetting past experiences; Loss of memories before an event (Ex. People who were in car accidents can’t remember what led to that accident; When you’re black-out drunk, you can’t remember what you did the night before)
AP Practice Exam Question: Juana accidentally touched a hot iron. She immediately drew back her hand. Which of the following is true about the withdrawal of her hand?
It was initiated in her spinal cord. The heat from the hot iron acted as a stimulus that triggered the sensory nerves in Juana’s hand, which sends signals to the spinal cord. The spinal cord then activates the muscles in her hands to withdraw her hand to prevent any further damage.
Internal locus of control: Belief that a person has significant control over the outcomes of their lives; they attribute success or failure to their actions or choices
External locus of control: Belief that external forces like luck, fate, or other people determine their life events, successes, or failures