AP Psych Unit 3

Flashcard #1Term: Auditory Sensory AcuityDefinition: The skill and sensitivity required to perceive, recognize, and differentiate sounds in the environment, crucial for communication and environmental awareness.

Flashcard #2Term: Genetic MutationDefinition: A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, which can result in changes to physical traits and may influence an organism's health or behavior.

Flashcard #3Term: Gross Motor CoordinationDefinition: The ability to control and coordinate movements made by large muscle groups, including those in the arms and legs, essential for tasks such as walking, running, and jumping.

Flashcard #4Term: Growth SpurtDefinition: A period of rapid physical growth characterized by significant increases in height and weight that commonly occurs during childhood and adolescence.

Flashcard #5Term: ImprintingDefinition: A critical learning phase during which a young organism forms a strong attachment to a particular object or caregiver, often occurring shortly after birth or hatching.

Flashcard #6Term: Mature IllnessDefinition: Health conditions or diseases commonly associated with aging, often reflecting a decline in health status.

Flashcard #7Term: MobilityDefinition: The ability to move freely and easily through physical space, which is essential for independence and overall quality of life.

Flashcard #8Term: Reaction TimeDefinition: The duration it takes for an individual to respond to a stimulus, reflecting the speed and efficiency of neural processing.

Flashcard #9Term: Reflex ActionDefinition: Automatic and involuntary movements triggered by specific stimuli, designed to protect the body from harm and to maintain equilibrium.

Flashcard #10Term: Rooting ReflexDefinition: A primitive reflex found in infants where they instinctively turn their heads toward a stimulus that touches their mouth, aiding in suckling.

Flashcard #11Term: Sensitive PeriodDefinition: A defined timeframe during development when an individual is particularly receptive to acquiring certain skills or knowledge, such as language or social behaviors.

Flashcard #12Term: Visual Sensory AcuityDefinition: The clarity and sharpness of vision, enabling individuals to discern fine details and perceive depth and distance in their surroundings.

Flashcard #13Term: Abstract ConceptDefinition: Ideas or notions that cannot be physically touched or seen, often involving complex reasoning and critical thinking, such as justice or freedom.

Flashcard #14Term: AnimismDefinition: The perception that non-living objects possess life-like qualities and emotions, common in early childhood and developmental psychology.

Flashcard #15Term: DementiaDefinition: A collective term for various cognitive disorders that cause memory impairments and decline in cognitive functioning, significantly affecting everyday life.

Flashcard #16Term: Pretend PlayDefinition: A form of imaginative play where children create and act out scenarios, often involving role-playing different characters, fostering creativity and social skills.

Flashcard #17Term: ReversibilityDefinition: The understanding that certain processes or changes can be reversed, allowing items to return to their original state.

Flashcard #18Term: Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)Definition: The range of tasks that a learner can perform with the help of a more knowledgeable person but cannot yet complete independently.

Flashcard #19Term: Non-verbal GesturesDefinition: Forms of communication that utilize body language, expressions, and movements instead of words, conveying messages and emotions.

Flashcard #20Term: SyntaxDefinition: The set of rules that govern the structure and arrangement of words in sentences, essential for effective communication in any language.

Flashcard #21Term: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)Definition: Difficult or traumatic events occurring during childhood, such as abuse or neglect, that are linked to long-term negative outcomes in physical and mental health.

Flashcard #22Term: Anxious AttachmentDefinition: A type of insecure attachment characterized by a child's uncertainty about their caregiver's availability, leading to excessive worry about abandonment.

Flashcard #23Term: Parenting StylesDefinition: The four primary approaches to raising children: Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and Neglectful, each influencing child development and behavior.

Flashcard #24Term: ChronosystemDefinition: The temporal dimension of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory that accounts for the timing and timing of life events and transitions.

Flashcard #25Term: ExosystemDefinition: A level in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory that includes external factors influencing an individual indirectly, such as a parent's job or community resources.

Flashcard #26Term: Identity DiffusionDefinition: A state of having no strong commitments to any particular identity or direction in life, often leading to uncertainty.

Flashcard #27Term: Identity ForeclosureDefinition: A state of committing to an identity without exploring different options or alternatives, often based on societal expectations.

Flashcard #28Term: Identity MoratoriumDefinition: An exploratory phase in identity development characterized by actively seeking and questioning various identities without yet making a commitment.

Flashcard #29Term: GenerativityDefinition: A concern for fostering and guiding the development of the next generation, often manifested through parenting, mentorship, and community involvement.

Flashcard #30Term: StagnationDefinition: A state of self-absorption or lack of development that results from not making meaningful contributions to others or society.

Flashcard #31Term: Imaginary AudienceDefinition: A cognitive phenomenon common during adolescence where individuals believe they are constantly being observed and judged by others.

Flashcard #32Term: Industry vs. InferiorityDefinition: Erikson’s psychosocial stage (ages 6-12) where children are learning and developing skills; success leads to a sense of competence, while failure leads to feelings of inferiority.

Flashcard #33Term: MacrosystemDefinition: The overarching cultural, social, and economic systems that shape the environment and experiences of individuals, according to Bronfenbrenner’s theory.

Flashcard #34Term: MicrosystemDefinition: The immediate environments and relationships, such as family and school, that directly impact an individual’s development.

Flashcard #35Term: MesosystemDefinition: The connections and relationships between different parts of the microsystem, affecting how micro-level influences interact.

Flashcard #36Term: Parallel PlayDefinition: A developmental stage in which children play adjacent to each other but do not interact, significant for social development.

Flashcard #37Term: Psychosocial DevelopmentDefinition: A field of psychology concerned with individual emotional and social growth throughout the lifespan, as proposed by Erik Erikson.

Flashcard #38Term: Acquisition (Learning)Definition: The process of developing a conditioned response or learning new skills through experience and practice.

Flashcard #39Term: Taste AversionDefinition: A learned avoidance of certain tastes or foods after a negative or traumatic experience, such as becoming ill after eating a specific item.

Flashcard #40Term: TeratogensDefinition: Harmful substances, including drugs and alcohol, that can affect fetal development, leading to serious physical or cognitive impairments.

Flashcard #41Term: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)Definition: A spectrum of physical and developmental disorders in a child caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, leading to lifelong consequences.

Flashcard #42Term: Critical PeriodDefinition: A crucial timeframe in development during which specific skills and behaviors must be acquired to be effectively learned.

Flashcard #43Term: AdolescenceDefinition: The transition phase between childhood and adulthood characterized by significant physical, emotional, and social changes, starting at puberty.

Flashcard #44Term: PubertyDefinition: The biological process through which individuals attain sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.

Flashcard #45Term: MenopauseDefinition: The natural cessation of menstruation and the end of a woman's reproductive years, typically occurring in middle age.

Flashcard #46Term: SexDefinition: The classification of individuals as male or female based on biological and physiological traits, such as reproductive organs and chromosomes.

Flashcard #47Term: GenderDefinition: The roles, behaviors, and expectations society associates with being male, female, or other identities, shaped by cultural and social factors.

Flashcard #48Term: IntersexDefinition: A condition in which an individual's reproductive or sexual anatomy does not fit typical definitions of male or female, leading to variations in sex characteristics.

Flashcard #49Term: X ChromosomeDefinition: One of the two sex chromosomes in humans that is larger and carries more genes related to various physical traits and functions.

Flashcard #50Term: Y ChromosomeDefinition: The smaller of the two sex chromosomes that determines male biological characteristics and carries fewer genes.

Flashcard #51Term: TestosteroneDefinition: The principal male sex hormone responsible for the development of male physical traits and reproductive function.

Flashcard #52Term: EstrogensDefinition: A group of hormones, primarily responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive functions.

Flashcard #53Term: Primary Sex CharacteristicsDefinition: The anatomical structures and functions directly associated with reproduction, such as ovaries and testes.

Flashcard #54Term: Secondary Sex CharacteristicsDefinition: Physical traits that emerge during puberty, distinguishing males from females, but not directly involved in reproductive processes.

Flashcard #55Term: SpermarcheDefinition: The first ejaculation in males, serving as an indicator of the onset of sexual maturity.

Flashcard #56Term: MenarcheDefinition: The first occurrence of menstruation in females, marking the start of reproductive capability.

Flashcard #57Term: Jean PiagetDefinition: A Swiss psychologist renowned for his theory of cognitive development, proposing that children progress through distinct stages of thought and understanding.

Flashcard #58Term: CognitionDefinition: The collective mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Flashcard #59Term: SchemaDefinition: A mental structure that organizes and interprets information, acting as frameworks for individuals to understand the world around them.

Flashcard #60Term: AssimilationDefinition: The cognitive process of integrating new information into existing schemas without altering their structure.

Flashcard #61Term: AccommodationDefinition: The adjustment of existing schemas to incorporate new information, leading to a more complex understanding of concepts.

Flashcard #62Term: Sensorimotor StageDefinition: Piaget’s first developmental stage (birth to 2 years) where infants learn about the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.

Flashcard #63Term: Object PermanenceDefinition: The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed or perceived.

Flashcard #64Term: Preoperational StageDefinition: Piaget’s second developmental stage (ages 2-7) characterized by the emergence of language and symbolic thought, lacking logical reasoning abilities.

Flashcard #65Term: ConservationDefinition: The realization that certain properties of objects, such as volume and mass, remain unchanged despite transformations in shape or appearance.

Flashcard #66Term: EgocentrismDefinition: The inability to perceive situations from perspectives other than one's own, prevalent in the preoperational stage of development.

Flashcard #67Term: Concrete Operational StageDefinition: Piaget’s third stage (ages 7-11) where children develop logical thinking about concrete events and understand concepts of time, space, and quantity.

Flashcard #68Term: Formal Operational StageDefinition: Piaget’s final stage (ages 12 and up) characterized by the ability to think logically about abstract concepts and hypothetical situations.

Flashcard #69Term: Lev VygotskyDefinition: A psychologist known for emphasizing the fundamental role of social interaction and cultural context in cognitive development.

Flashcard #70Term: ScaffoldingDefinition: A teaching strategy that involves providing temporary support to help learners perform tasks they cannot yet accomplish independently.

Flashcard #71Term: Theory of MindDefinition: The understanding that other individuals have their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that may differ from one's own.

Flashcard #72Term: Noam ChomskyDefinition: A linguistic theorist who proposed that all languages share an underlying structure known as universal grammar, innate to humans.

Flashcard #73Term: PhonemeDefinition: The smallest unit of sound in speech that can distinguish meaning in a language.

Flashcard #74Term: MorphemeDefinition: The smallest grammatical unit in language that carries meaning, which can be a word or a part of a word.

Flashcard #75Term: GrammarDefinition: The systematic rules and structures governing the composition of phrases and sentences in a language.

Flashcard #76Term: Universal Grammar (UG)Definition: The theoretical framework suggesting that the ability to acquire language is innate to humans and is structured similarly across all languages.

Flashcard #77Term: Babbling StageDefinition: An early stage of language development in infants, typically beginning around four months, characterized by the production of varied phonetic sounds.

Flashcard #78Term: One-Word StageDefinition: A developmental stage around age one when children begin to communicate using single words to convey entire thoughts or needs.

Flashcard #79Term: Two-Word StageDefinition: A stage in speech development occurring around age two, where children start combining two words to form simple types of sentences.

Flashcard #80Term: Telegraphic SpeechDefinition: An early stage of language development characterized by the use of two or three words to convey complete ideas or requests, similar to a telegram.

Flashcard #81Term: Generative GrammarDefinition: A theory positing that humans have an innate ability to generate an infinite number of sentences using a limited set of rules.

Flashcard #82Term: SemanticsDefinition: The branch of linguistics concerned with meaning in language, both at the word and sentence levels.

Flashcard #83Term: Neuroscience of LanguageDefinition: The interdisciplinary study of how the brain encodes, processes, and produces language.

Flashcard #84Term: Paul BrocaDefinition: A physician and neurologist known for his work on language and the brain, particularly the region responsible for speech production.

Flashcard #85Term: Broca’s AreaDefinition: A region in the frontal lobe of the brain that plays a key role in the production of speech.

Flashcard #86Term: Carl WernickeDefinition: A neurologist who discovered a brain region associated with understanding language.

Flashcard #87Term: Wernicke’s AreaDefinition: A region in the temporal lobe of the brain critical for language comprehension.

Flashcard #88Term: Ecological Systems TheoryDefinition: Bronfenbrenner's framework proposing that human development is influenced by various interconnected environmental systems.

Flashcard #89Term: Stranger AnxietyDefinition: A common developmental response of infants around 8 months of age in which they exhibit fear or distress towards unfamiliar individuals.

Flashcard #90Term: Social Anxiety DisorderDefinition: A psychological condition characterized by an intense fear of social situations, often anticipated with dread and accompanied by physical symptoms.

Flashcard #91Term: AttachmentDefinition: The deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space, particularly between an infant and caregiver.

Flashcard #92Term: Harry HarlowDefinition: A psychologist famous for his studies on attachment using rhesus monkeys, demonstrating the importance of comfort and nurturing.

Flashcard #93Term: Margaret HarlowDefinition: An influential collaborator with Harry Harlow, focusing on the effects of maternal influence on development.

Flashcard #94Term: Secure AttachmentDefinition: A healthy attachment style in which children feel safe and confident exploring their surroundings, knowing they can return to a caregiver for comfort.

Flashcard #95Term: Insecure AttachmentDefinition: A category of attachment styles resulting from inconsistent or inadequate caregiving, leading to anxiety and avoidance in relationships.

Flashcard #96Term: Disorganized AttachmentDefinition: A pattern of attachment observed in children who display confused or contradictory behaviors in the context of attachment, often due to trauma.

Flashcard #97Term: TemperamentDefinition: An individual's innate, biological predisposition towards certain emotional responses and behavioral patterns.

Flashcard #98Term: Erik EriksonDefinition: A psychologist known for developing the theory of psychosocial development, which outlines eight stages of human growth and the challenges faced at each stage.

Flashcard #99Term: IdentityDefinition: A complex set of attributes that define an individual, influenced by personal choices, societal expectations, and interpersonal relationships.

Flashcard #100Term: Social IdentityDefinition: A person's sense of self as derived from their membership within social groups, such as ethnicity, gender, and culture.

Flashcard #101Term: Emerging AdulthoodDefinition: A distinct developmental stage from late adolescence to the mid-twenties characterized by exploration of identity and life options.

Flashcard #102Term: Social ClockDefinition: The societal expectations regarding the timing of life events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.

Flashcard #103Term: RetirementDefinition: The phase of life when an individual chooses to cease working after reaching a certain age or financial stability.

Flashcard #104Term: LearningDefinition: The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, or behaviors through experience, practice, or education.

Flashcard #105Term: Associative LearningDefinition: A learning principle where a connection is established between two events or stimuli, leading to changes in behavior.

Flashcard #106Term: StimulusDefinition: An event or object in the environment that elicits a response from an organism.

Flashcard #107Term: Respondent BehaviorDefinition: Actions that are automatic responses to specific stimuli, often involving reflexive actions.

Flashcard #108Term: Operant BehaviorDefinition: Actions that are influenced by the consequences that follow them, formed through rewards or punishments.

Flashcard #109Term: Cognitive LearningDefinition: The acquisition of knowledge through thought, experience, and the senses, often involving insights and problem-solving.

Flashcard #110Term: Ivan PavlovDefinition: A pioneering psychologist known for his research into classical conditioning and the famous experiments with dogs.

Flashcard #111Term: Classical ConditioningDefinition: A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a learned response.

Flashcard #112Term: John B. WatsonDefinition: A prominent psychologist who championed behaviorism and conducted experiments demonstrating classical conditioning in humans.

Flashcard #113Term: BehaviorismDefinition: An approach to psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors and the effects of learning and the environment.

Flashcard #114Term: Neutral Stimulus (NS)Definition: A stimulus that does not initially elicit a response until it becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Flashcard #115Term: Unconditioned Response (UCR)Definition: A natural, automatic reaction to an unconditioned stimulus without previous learning.

Flashcard #116Term: Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)Definition: A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior conditioning.

Flashcard #117Term: Conditioned Response (CR)Definition: A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Flashcard #118Term: Conditioned Stimulus (CS)Definition: A previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response.

Flashcard #119Term: Acquisition (Learning)Definition: The initial learning phase during which a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Flashcard #120Term: Higher-order ConditioningDefinition: A conditioning process where a previously conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, allowing the new stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Flashcard #121Term: ExtinctionDefinition: The weakening or removal of a conditioned response due to the discontinuation of reinforcement.

Flashcard #122Term: Spontaneous RecoveryDefinition: The re-emergence of a conditioned response after a period of rest following extinction.

Flashcard #123Term: GeneralizationDefinition: The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus, leading to similar responses.

Flashcard #124Term: OvergeneralizationDefinition: A cognitive distortion where a single negative event influences a wide range of beliefs about similar experiences.

Flashcard #125Term: DiscriminationDefinition: The learned ability to differentiate between different stimuli, responding appropriately to each.

Flashcard #126Term: PreparednessDefinition: An innate biological tendency to learn associations that are relevant to an organism's survival.

Flashcard #127Term: John GarciaDefinition: A psychologist who proposed that animals are evolutionarily predisposed to form certain associations more easily than others.

Flashcard #128Term: Operant ConditioningDefinition: A learning process where behaviors are modified through reinforcement or punishment.

Flashcard #129Term: B. F. SkinnerDefinition: An influential psychologist in behaviorism known for his work on operant conditioning and the development of the operant chamber.

Flashcard #130Term: Edward L. ThorndikeDefinition: A psychologist who formulated the law of effect, stating behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to occur.

Flashcard #131Term: Law of EffectDefinition: The principle that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are reinforced, while those followed by negative outcomes tend to be weakened.

Flashcard #132Term: Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)Definition: A controlled environment used by B. F. Skinner to study operant conditioning through responses to reinforcements.

Flashcard #133Term: ReinforcementDefinition: An event that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, either through rewards or the removal of aversive stimuli.

Flashcard #134Term: ShapingDefinition: An operant conditioning technique that involves rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior to achieve a complex behavior.

Flashcard #135Term: Discriminative StimulusDefinition: A stimulus that indicates the presence of reinforcement, leading to specific responses from the organism.

Flashcard #136Term: Positive ReinforcementDefinition: Increasing the likelihood of a desired behavior by presenting a favorable stimulus following the behavior.

Flashcard #137Term: Negative ReinforcementDefinition: Increasing the likelihood of a desired behavior by removing an aversive stimulus following the behavior.

Flashcard #138Term: Primary ReinforcerDefinition: An innately satisfying stimulus, such as food or water, that does not require learning to be appreciated.

Flashcard #139Term: Conditioned ReinforcerDefinition: A stimulus that gains reinforcement value through association with a primary reinforcer.

Flashcard #140Term: Reinforcement ScheduleDefinition: The specific timetable that outlines when reinforcement is delivered during the behavior.

Flashcard #141Term: Continuous Reinforcement ScheduleDefinition: A schedule in which reinforcement is provided every time a desired behavior occurs.

Flashcard #142Term: Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement ScheduleDefinition: A reinforcement schedule in which a response is only occasionally reinforced.

Flashcard #143Term: Fixed-Ratio ScheduleDefinition: A reinforcement schedule that rewards a response after a specified number of responses.

Flashcard #144Term: Variable-Ratio ScheduleDefinition: A reinforcement schedule that offers rewards after an unpredictable number of responses.

Flashcard #145Term: Fixed-Interval ScheduleDefinition: A reinforcement schedule where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed.

Flashcard #146Term: Variable-Interval ScheduleDefinition: A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Flashcard #147Term: PunishmentDefinition: An event that weakens or diminishes the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Flashcard #148Term: Instinctive DriftDefinition: The tendency of an animal to revert to instinctive behaviors that interfere with the conditioned response.

Flashcard #149Term: Robert RescorlaDefinition: A psychologist who demonstrated that cognitive processes play a role in classical conditioning by showing that not all associations are equally easy to learn.

Flashcard #150Term: Edward C. TolmanDefinition: A psychologist known for his work on cognitive maps and learning through observation.

Flashcard #151Term: Prosocial BehaviorDefinition: Voluntary behavior intended to benefit others, promoting social harmony.

Flashcard #152Term: Antisocial BehaviorDefinition: Behavior characterized by hostility, aggression, or societal nonconformity that can harm others.

Flashcard #153Term: Vicarious ConditioningDefinition: A form of learning that occurs through observing the behaviors of others and the consequences that follow.

Flashcard #154Term: Cognitive MapDefinition: A mental representation of one's physical environment, allowing spatial reasoning and navigation.

Flashcard #155Term: Latent LearningDefinition: A type of learning that occurs without immediate reinforcement and is not evident until there is a reason to demonstrate it.

Flashcard #156Term: Insight LearningDefinition: A form of problem-solving where an individual suddenly realizes the solution to a problem without trial and error.

Flashcard #157Term: Observational LearningDefinition: A learning process that occurs by watching the actions of others and imitating their behaviors.

Flashcard #158Term: ModelingDefinition: A learning technique where individuals learn new behaviors by observing and imitating others.

Flashcard #159Term: Albert BanduraDefinition: A psychologist known for his work on social learning theory and the importance of observational learning in behavior.

Flashcard #160Term: Mirror NeuronsDefinition: Specialized brain cells that activate both when an individual performs an action and when they observe someone else performing that action, facilitating empathy and imitation.