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Psychology: Themes and Variations Units 1-4 Vocab 120 Flashcards

Contains the all the vocab words from our list of 120. 90 of these words will appear on the quiz Tuesday.

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1062743278UnconsciousAccording to Freud, thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of unconscious awareness but that nonetheless exert great influence on behavior.0
1062743279PsychologyThe science that studies behavior and the psychological and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems.1
1062743280StructuralismA school of psychology based on the notion that the task of psychology is to analyze consciousness into its basic elements and to investigate how these elements are related.2
1062743281Psychoanalytic theoryA theory developed by Freud, that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.3
1062743282Positive psychologyApproach to psychology that uses theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence.4
1062743283PsychiatryA branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders.5
1062743284IntrospectionCareful, systematic observation of one's own conscious experience.6
1062743285HumanismA theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth.7
1062743286Evolutionary psychologyTheoretical perspective that examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations.8
1062743287FunctionalismA school of psychology based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than its structure.9
1062743288EmpiricismThe premise that knowledge should be acquired through observations.10
1062743289Clinical psychologyThe branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders.11
1062743290BehaviorismA theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior.12
1062743291CognitionThe mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge.13
1062743292VariabilityThe extent to which the scores in a data set tend to vary from each other and from the mean.14
1062743293Independent variableIn an experiment, a condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable.15
1062743294Control groupSubjects in a study who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group.16
1062743295Descriptive statisticsStatistics that are used to organize and summarize data.17
1062743296Sampling biasA problem that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population from which it is drawn.18
1062743297Social desirability biasA tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself.19
1062743298Standard deviationAn index of the amount of variability in a set of data.20
1062743299Case studyAn in-depth investigation of an individual subject.21
1062743300Experimental groupThe subjects in a study who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.22
1062743301Correlation coefficientA numerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables.23
1062743302Placebo effectsThe fact that subjects' expectations can lead them to experience changes even though they receive an empty, fake, or ineffectual treatment.24
1062743303Extraneous variablesAny variables other than the independent variable that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.25
1062743304Inferential statisticsStatistics that are used to interpret data and draw conclusions.26
1062743305Random assignmentThe constitution of groups in a study such that all subjects have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition.27
1062743306SubjectsThe persons or animals whose behavior is being systematically observed in a study.28
1062743307Statistical significanceThe condition that exists when the probability that the observed findings are due to chance is very low.29
1062743308VariablesAny measurable conditions, events, characters, or behaviors that are controlled or observed in a study.30
1062743309Dependent variableIn an experiment, the variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulation of the independent variable.31
1062743310Double-blind procedureA research strategy in which neither subjects nor experimenters know which subjects are in the experimental or control groups.32
1062743311Operational definitionA definition that describes the actions or operations that will be made to measure or control a variable.33
1062743312PopulationThe larger collection of animals or people from which a sample is drawn and that researchers want to generalize about.34
1062743313MeanThe arithmetic average of the scores in a distribution.35
1062743314MedianThe score that falls exactly in the center of a distribution of scores.36
1062743315ModeThe score that occurs most frequently in a distribution.37
1062743316ExperimentA research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any changes occur in a second variable as a result.38
1062743317HypothesisA tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.39
1062743347Action potentialA brief shift in a neuron's electrical charge that travels along an axon.40
1062743348Absolute refractory periodThe minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.41
1062743361Afferent nerve fibersAxons that carry information inward to the central nervous system from the periphery of the body.42
1062743355AgonistA chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.43
1062743356AntagonistA chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter.44
1062743363Autonomic nervous system (ANS)Nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands.45
1062743342AxonA long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons or to muscles or glands.46
1062743366Central nervous system (CNS)The brain and the spinal cord.47
1062743378Cerebral cortexThe convoluted outed layer of the cerebrum.48
1062743367Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)Nourishes the brain and provides a protective cushion for it.49
1062743380Corpus callosumThe structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.50
1062743341DendritesThe parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.51
1062743362Efferent nerve fibersAxons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body.52
1062743370Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)Sending a weak electrical current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it.53
1062743368Electroencephalograph (EEG)A device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp.54
1062743383Endocrine systemGlands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning.55
1062743357EndorphinsInternally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects.56
1062743374ForebrainThe larges and most complex region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum.57
1062743372HindbrainThe cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem: the medulla and the pons.58
1062743384HormonesThe chemical substances released by the endocrine glands.59
1062743376HypothalamusA structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological needs.60
1062743369LesioningDestroying a part of the brain.61
1062743377Limbic systemA loosely connected network of structures located roughly along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas.62
1062743373MidbrainThe segment of the brainstem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain.63
1062743343Myelin sheathInsulating material that encases some axons.64
1062743359NervesBundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system.65
1062743339NeuronsIndividual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information.66
1062743350NeurotransmittersChemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another.67
1062743365Parasympathetic divisionThe branch of the autonomic nervous system that generally conserves bodily resources.68
1062743385Pituitary glandA gland that releases a great variety of hormones that fan out around the body, stimulating actions in the other endocrine glands.69
1062743354ReuptakeA process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up fro the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane.70
1062743340SomaThe cell body, contains the cell nucleus and much of the chemical machinery common to most cells.71
1062743381Split-brain surgeryThe bundle of fibers that connect the cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures.72
1062743360Somatic nervous systemNerves that connect to voluntary skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors.73
1062743364Sympathetic divisionThe branch of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources for emergencies.74
1062743349Synaptic cleftA microscopic gap between the terminal button of one neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron.75
1062743375ThalamusA structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex.76
1062743411Absolute thresholdThe minimum stimulus an organism can detect.77
1062743432Feature detectorsNeurons that respond selectively to very specific features of more complex stimuli.78
1062743467Gustatory systemThe sensory system for taste.79
1062743442Inattentional blindnessThe failure to see visible objects or events because one's attention is focused elsewhere.80
1062743412Just noticeable difference (JND)The smallest difference in stimulus intensity that a specific sense can detect.81
1062743468Olfactory systemThe sensory system for smell.82
1062743439Opponent process theoryColor perception depends on receptors that make antagonistic responses to three pairs of colors.83
1062743430Optic chiasmThe point at which the optic nerves from the inside half of the eye cross over and then project to the opposite half of the brain.84
1062743422Optic diskA hole in the retina where the nerve fibers exit the eye.85
1062743409PerceptionThe selection, organization, and interpretation of sensory input.86
1062743441Perceptual setA readiness to perceive a stimulus in a particular way.87
1062743463Place theoryPerception of pitch corresponds to the vibration of different portions, or places, along the basilar membrane.88
1062743425RodsSpecialized visual receptors that play a key role in night vision and peripheral vision.89
1062743416Sensory adaptationA gradual decline in sensitivity to prolonged stimulation.90
1062743414Signal detection theoryThe detection of stimuli involves decision processes as well as sensory processes, which are both influenced by a variety of factors besides stimulus intensity.91
1062743415Subliminal perceptionThe registration of sensory input without conscious awareness.92
1062743445Top-down processingA progression from the whole to the elements.93
1063410988Trichromatic theoryThe human eye has three types of receptors with differing sensitivities to different light wavelengths94
1062743471Vestibular systemResponds to gravity and keeps you informed of your body's location in space.95
1062743413Weber's lawThe size of a just noticeable difference is a constant proportion to the size of the initial stimulus.96
1062743319AttributionsInferences that people draw about the causes of events, others' behavior, and their own survival.97
1062743330Bystander effectPeople are less likely to provide needed help when they are in groups than when they are alone.98
1062743325Companionate loveA warm, trusting, tolerant affection for another whose life is deeply intertwined with one's own.99
1062743336Foot-in-the-door techniqueGetting people to agree to a small request to increase the chance that they will agree to a larger request later.100
1062743326IngroupA group that one belongs to and identifies with.101
1062743327ConformityWhen people yield to real or imagined social pressure.102
1062743332Group polarizationWhen group discussion strengthens a group's dominant point of view and produces a shift toward a more extreme decision in that direction.103
1062743324Matching hypothesisMales and females of approximately equal physical attractiveness are likely to select each other as partners.104
1062743322Defensive attributionA tendency to blame victims for their misfortune, so that one feels less likely to be victimized in a similar way.105
1062743333GroupthinkWhen members of a cohesive group emphasize concurrence at the expense of critical thinking in arriving at a decision.106
1062743328ObedianceA form of compliance that occurs when people follow direct commands, usually from someone in a position of authority.107
1062743335DiscriminationBehaving differently, usually unfairly, toward the members of a group.108
1062743318Illusory correlationWhen people estimate that they have encountered more confirmations of an association between social traits than they have actually seen.109
1063918754Person perceptionThe process of forming impressions of others.110
1062743321External attributionsAscribes the causes of behavior to situational demands and environmental constraints.111
1062743338IndividualismPutting personal goals ahead of group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than in group memberships.112
1062743334PrejudiceA negative attitude held towards members of a group.113
1062743337Reciprocity normThe rule that we should pay back in kind what we receive from others.114
1062743323Self-serving biasThe tendency to attribute one's successes to personal factors and one's failures to situational factors.115
1062743331Social loafingA reduction in effort by individuals when they work in groups as compared to when they work by themselves.116
1062743475Social PsychologyThe branch of psychology concerned with the way individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.117
1062743329Social rolesWidely shared expectations about how people in certain positions are supposed to behave.118
1062743476Social SchemaOrganized clusters of ideas about categories of social events and people.119

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