• Critical Thinking­ process of objectively evaluating, comparing, analyzing, and synthesizing information
  • Interactions­ process in which multiple factors mutually influence one another and the outcome
  • Nature­Nurture Controversy­ ongoing dispute over the relative contributions of nature(heredity) and nurture(environment)
  • Psychology­scientific study of behavior and mental processes
  • Behavior Perspective­ studies objective, observable, environmental influences on overt behavior
  • Biopsychosocial model­unifying theme of modern psychology that considers biological, psychological, and social processes
  • Cognitive perspective­emphasizes thinking, perception, and information processing
  • Evolutionary perspective­ studies natural selection, adaptation and evolution of behavior and mental processes
  • Humanist perspective­ focuses on free will, self­actualization, and human nature as positive and growth seeking
  • Neuroscience/biopsychology perspective­studies genetics and biological processes in brain and other parts of the NS
  • Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic perspective­ emphasized unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts
  • Sociocultural perspective­ focuses on social interaction and cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes
  • Applied research­research designed to solve practical problems
  • Basic research­ research conducted to advance scientific knowledge
  • Debriefing­informing participants after the research about the purpose of the study, the nature of the anticipated results, and any deceptions
  • Hypothesis­ specific prediction about how one variable related to another
  • Informed consent­participant’s agreement to take part in a study after being told what to expect
  • Meta­analysis­statistical procedure for combining and analyzing data from many studies
  • Operational definition­precise description of how the variables in a study will be observed and measured
  • Theory­interrelated set of concepts that explain a body of data

Biological research­ scientific studies of the brain and other parts of the nervous system

Case study­ in depth investigations

  • Control group­group receiving no treatment in an experiment
  • Correlation coefficient­a number that indicates the degree and direction of the relationship between 2 variables
  • Correlational research­scientific study in which the researcher observes or measures 2+ variables to find the relationship between them
  • Dependent variable­ what experimenter measures
  • Descriptive research­research methods that observe and record behavior without producing causal explanations
  • Double­blind study­procedure in which both the researcher and the participants are unaware of who is in the experimental or control group
  • Ethnocentrism­believing that one’s culture is typical of all cultures; viewing one’s own ethnic group as central and correct and judging other according to this standard
  • Experiment­carefully controlled scientific procedure that involves manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect
  • Experimental group­group receiving treatment in an experiment
  • Experimenter bias­occurs when researcher influences research results in the expected direction
  • Independent variable­what experimenter manipulates
  • Misattribution of arousal­physiologically aroused individuals make mistaken inferences about what is causing the arousal
  • Naturalistic observation­ describes behavior in its natural habitat without altering it
  • Participant bias­occurs when experimental conditions influence the participant’s behavior or mental processes
  • Placebo­inactive substance or fake treatment used as a control technique, usually in drug research or given by a medical practitioner to a patient
  • Random assignment­using chance methods to assign participants to experimental or control conditions, thus minimizing the possibility of biases or preexisting differences in groups
  • Sample bias­occurs when research participants are not representative of the larger population
  • Survey­ use interviews/questionnaires on sample of participants
  • Neuroscience­interdisplicinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes

Action potential­neural impulse that carries info along axon of neuron; generated when +/­ charged ions move in/out through channels in axon’s membrane

Axon­long, tube like structure that conveys info away from the neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles/glands

Cell body­party of neuron that contains nucleus and other structures that carry out functions; aka soma

  • Dendrites­branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward cell body
  • Endocrine system­collections of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into bloodstream
  • Endophorins­chemical substances in the NS that are similar in structure and action to opiates and involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory
  • Glial cells­cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other support for neurons as well as communication within NS
  • Hormones­chemicals manufactured by endocrine glands and circulated in the bloodstream to produce bodily changes or maintain normal bodily functions
  • Myelin sheath­layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of some neurons, which increases the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon
  • Neuron­cell of NS responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information
  • Neurotransmitters­chemicals released by neurons that affect other neurons
  • Synapse­junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
  • ANS­subdivision of PNS that controls involuntary functions such as HR and digestion
  • CNS­brain and spinal cord
  • Interneuron­neurons within CNS that internally communicate and intervene between sensory and motor neurons
  • Motor neurons­transmit messages from CNS to organs, muscles, glands, efferent neurons
  • PSYNS­subdivision of ANS responsible for calming body and conserving E
  • PNS­all nerves and neurons connecting CNS to rest of body
  • Reflexes­innate, automatic, response to a stimulus
  • Sensory neurons­transmit messages from sense organs to CNS
  • SNS­subdivision of PNS that connects sensory receptors and controls skeletal muscles
  • SYNS­subdivision of ANS responsible for arousing body and mobilizing E during times of stress
  • Association areas­so called quiet areas in cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on info processed by other parts of the brain

Brainstem­area of brain that houses parts of hindbrain, midbrain, fore brain, and helps regulate reflex activities critical for survival

Cerebellum­hindbrain structure responsible for coordinating fine muscles movement, balance, and some perception and cognition

Cerebral cortex­thin surface layer on cerebral hemisphere that regulates most complex behavior, including sensations, motor control, and higher mental processes

  • Corpus callosum­bundle of nerve fibers connecting brain’s left and right hemispheres
  • Forebrain­collection of upper­level brain structures including thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex
  • Frontal lobes­2 lobes at front of brain governing motor control, speech production, higher functions such as thinking, personality, emotion, and memory
  • Hindbrain­collection of brain structures including medulla, pons, cerebellum
  • Hypothalamus­ small brain structure beneath thalamus responsible for emotions and drives and regulating body’s internal environment
  • Lateralization­specialization of left and right hemispheres of brain for particular operations
  • Limbic system­interconnected group of forebrain structures involved with emotions, drives, and memory
  • Localization of function­specialization of various parts of brain for particular functions
  • Medulla­hindbrain structure responsible for automatic body functions such as breathing and heartbeat
  • Midbrain­collection of brain structures in the middle of brain responsible for coordinating movement patterns, sleep, arousal
  • Occipital lobes­2 lobes at back of brain responsible for vision and visual perception
  • Parietal lobes­2 lobes at top of brain where bodily sensations are interpreted
  • Pons­hindbrain structure involved in respiration, movement, waking, sleep, and dreaming
  • Reticular formation­diffuse set of neurons that screens incoming info and controls arousal
  • Split brain­surgical separation of brain’s 2 hemispheres used medically to treat severe epilepsy
  • Temporal lobes­2 lobes on each side of brain above ears involved in hearing, language comprehension, memory, and some emotional control
  • Thalamus­forebrain structure at top of BS that relays sensory messages to cerebral cortex
  • Behavioral genetics­study of relative effects of heredity and environment on behavior and mental processes
  • Chromosomes­threadlike molecule of DNA that carries genetic info

Evolutionary psychology­branch of psychology that studies way in which natural selection and adaptation can explain behavior and mental processes

Genes­segment of DNA that occupies specific place on particular chromosome and carries code for heredity transmission

Heritability­measure of degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic, inherited factors

  • Natural selection­driving mechanism behind evolution, which allows individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment to stay alive and produce offspring
  • Neurogenesis –division and differentiation of nonneural cells to produce neurons
  • Neuroplasticity­brain’s lifelong ability to reorganize and change its structure and function
  • Stem cells­precursor cells that give birth to new specialized cells; holds all info it needs to make a bone, blood, brain and can also copy itself to maintain a stock of stem cells
  • Approach­approach conflict­having to choose between 2+ desirable alternatives
  • Approach­avoidance conflict­forced choice between 2+ alternatives that have both desirable and undesirable results
  • Avoidance­avoidance conflict­forced choice between 2+ more undesirable alternatives
  • Burnout­state of psychological and physical exhaustion resulting from chronic exposure to high levels of stress and little personal control
  • Conflict­forced choice between 2+ incompatible goals/impulses
  • Distress­unpleasant, objectionable stress
  • Eustress­pleasant, desirable stress
  • Frustration­unpleasant tension, anxiety, and heightened sympathetic activity resulting from a blocked goal
  • GAS­Selye’s 3­phase reaction to severe stress (alarm, resistance, and exhaustion)
  • Hassles­small problems of daily living that accumulate and sometimes become a major source of stress
  • HPA axis­hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex which are activated by stress
  • Psychoneuroimmunology­interdisciplinary field that studies the effects of psychological factors on the immune system
  • Stress­nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it; physical and mental arousal to situations or events that we perceive as threatening or challenging

Hardiness­Resilient personality that includes a strong commitment to personal goals, control over life, and viewing changes as a challenge rather than a threat

PTSD­anxiety disorder following exposure to a life­threatening or oter extreme event that evoked great horror or helplessness; characterized by flashbacks, nightmare, and impaired functioning

  • Type A personality­behavior characteristics including intense ambition, competition, exaggerated time urgency, and a cynical, hostile outlook
  • Type B personality­behavior characteristics consistent with a calm, patient, relaxed attitude
  • Binge drinking­occurs when a man consumes 5+ drinks in a row, or a woman consumes

4+ drinks in a row on at least 3 occasions during a 2 week period

  • Chronic pain­continuous or recurrent pain over a period of 6 months of longer
  • Health psychology­studies how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness
  • Defense mechanism­unconscious strategies used to distort reality and relieve anxiety and guilt
  • Emotion­focused forms of coping­coping strategies based on changing one’s perceptions of stressful situations
  • External locus of control­believing that chance or outside forces beyond one’s control determine one’s fate
  • Internal locus of control­believing that one controls one’s own fate
  • Problem­focused forms of coping­coping strategies that use problem­solving strategies to decrease or eliminate the source of stress
  • Perception­process of selecting, organization, and interpretation sensory information
  • Sensation­process of receiving, converting, and transmitting raw sensory information from the external and internal environments to the brain
  • Absolute threshold­smallest amount of a stimulus needed to detect that the stimulus is present
  • Coding­process that converts a particular sensory input into a specific sensation
  • Difference threshold­minimal difference needed to notice a stimulus change; aka just noticeable difference
  • Gate­control theory of pain­theory that pain sensations are processed and altered by mechanisms within the spinal cord

Psychophysics­study of the relation between attributes of the physical world and our psychological experience of them