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Details Title: AP Psych Final Description: Important Terms/Theories Total Flash Cards: 56 Created: 01/08/2006 15:29:42	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Biological Approach Definition Explains behavior by using a physiological or molecular breakdown Term Cognitive Approach Definition Study between the mental process that intervene between stimulus inputs and response outputs Term Humanistic Approach Definition Understanding human behavior that emphasizes free will and the basic goodness of people Term Behavioral Approach Definition Emphasizes the importance of environmental determinants of behavior (must be observable) Term Psychoanalytic Approach Definition Behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts Term Socio-Cultural Approach Definition How thoughts and behaviors vary from people living in other cultures - the way we think and act - religion, politics, ethnicity, family life, neighborhood, child rearing Term Evolutionary Approach Definition How nature selects traits that promote the perpetualtion of one's genes Term Assignment Definition Assigning subjects to experimental/control groups randomly to ensure no bias Term Correlation Definition A statistical technique that establishes the extent to whic two variales vary together Term independent variable Definition Experimental factor being manipulated and studied Term Dependent Variable Definition Experimental factor that depends on independent variable and changes in response to it Term Single Blind Definition A control technique, where group membership is unknown to the subject Term Double Blind Definition A control technique, where group membership is unknown to the subject and experimenter Term Hindsight bias Definition The tendency to believe that one would have known it after the results are shown; common sense; it was there all along Term False consensus effect Definition Tendency to over-estimate the extent to whic others share our beliefs and behaviors Term Ex post facto method Definition When subjects characteristics are used to determine group assignment, based on past experiences or pre-existing conditions Term Naturalistic observation Definition Ovserving and recording behavior in a natural setting Term Survey Definition Research method to get the self-reported attitudes/behaviors of people. Collecting date through questionaires, interviews, and opinion polls Term Experimental condition Definition Condition that exposes subjects to treatment Term Control Condition Definition Condition that serves as a comparison to see effects of treatment, on experimental condition subjects Term Case study Definition Research method where one person is studied in depth to find universal principles Term Ethics Definition Must follow APA guidelines - consent form, anonymity, free to leave. If deception is used, you must debrief. Term Dendrites Definition Branchlike structures at the beginning of the neuron; the recieve signals from teh axons of other neurons and carry those signals to the cell body Term Cell body (soma) Definition The body that the dendrites are attached to; the cell body contains the nucleus Term Axon Definition The long, cable like part that connects to the terminal branches. These fibers carry signals away from teh body of the neuron out ot where communication occurs with other neurons Term Myelin Sheath Definition Fatty tissues that surround some axons and aids in transmission of messages - ually in speed Term Node of Ranvier Definition The many gaps in the myelin sheath; where the conduction of teh action potential occurs Term Terminal buttons Definition Suction cup like branches at the end of the axon that help in transmission of information Term Synapse Definition The point at whic 2 or more neurons interconnect for communication; the space between the neuron and the dendrite Term Neurotransmitter Definition Chemicals taht carry a signal from one neuron to the next Term Efferent Definition Neurons that send signals away from teh brain or spinal cord - motor neurons Term Interneuron Definition Transport the signal from affluent to efferent Term Threshold Definition The level of excitatory neurotransmitters that a neuron must absorb before it will fire Term Stimulus Definition Something that incites or arouses activity Term Action potential Definition Sequence of changes in electrical potential during the activation; travels down axon and becomes depolarized Term All or none law Definition A biological law that states an action potential occurs either at full strenght or not at all Term Resting potential Definition When the neuron is not being fired; storing energy Term Depolarization Definition Resting potential becomes active - impulse generated Term Refractory period Definition A short rest period between action potentials Term EEG (Electroncephalogram) Definition Detects brain waves, different waves are present during stages of consciousness Term CAT/CT (Computerized Axial Tomography) Definition Shows the structure not functions; shows the brain in slices. 3-dimensional picture of the brain Term MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Definition Best picture possible, only shows structure Term PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Definition Shows where areas of the brain are being used for specific tasks (functions) Term Frontal Lobe Definition Behind forehead; controls body moements both complex and simple; controls repetitive tasks Term Parietal Lobe Definition Midsection of head; between frontal and occipital lobes; controls touch, pain, pressure, temp, vibration, itch-sensations Term Temporal Lobe Definition Area above the ear; controls hearing; personality traits Term Occipital lobe Definition Back of the head; visual processing Term Peripheral Nervous System Definition Consists of all the other nerves in your body-all the nerves not encased in bone. Term Somatic Nervous System Definition Controls our voluntary muscle movements. Term Autonomic Nervous System Definition Controls the automatic functions of our body-out heart, lungs, internal organs, glands, etc. Controls respons to stress (fight or flight) Term Sympathetic Nervous System Definition Mobilizes our body to respond to stress Term Parasympathetic Nervous System Definition Responsible for slowing down our ody after a stress response. Term Endocrine System Definition System of glands that secrete hormones that affect many different biological processes in our bodies. Term Descriptive Statistics Definition Describes a set of data Term Central tendency Definition Mean, median, mode