AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Psychology AP Review Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9834093444psychologythe study of behavior and mental processes0
9834093445psychology's biggest questionWhich is more important in determining behavior, nature or nurture?1
9834093446psychology's three levels of analysisbiopsychosocial approach (looks at the biological, psychological, and social-cultural approaches together)2
9834093447biological approachgenetics, close-relatives, body functions3
9834093448evolutionary approachspecies - helped with survival (ancestors)4
9834093449psychodynamic approach(Freud) subconscious, repressed feelings, unfulfilled wishes5
9834093450behavioral approachlearning (classical and operant) observed6
9834093451cognitive approachthinking affects behavior7
9834093452humanistic approachbecoming a better human (behavior, acceptance)8
9834093453social-cultural approachcultural, family, environment9
9834093454two reasons of why experiments are importanthindsight bias + overconfidence10
9834093455types of research methodsdescriptive, correlational, and experimental11
9834093456descriptive methodscase study survey naturalistic observation (DON'T SHOW CAUSE/EFFECT)12
9834093457case studystudies one person in depth may not be typical of population13
9834093458surveystudies lots of people not in depth14
9834093459naturalistic observationobserve + write facts without interference15
9834093460correlational methodshows relation, but not cause/effect scatterplots show research16
9834093461correlation coefficient+ 1.0 (both increase) 0 (no correlation - 1.0 (one increases, other decreases)17
9834093462experimental methoddoes show cause and effect18
9834093463populationtype of people who are going to be used in experiment19
9834093464sampleactual people who will be used (randomness reduces bias)20
9834093465random assignmentchance selection between experimental and control groups21
9834093466control groupnot receiving experimental treatment receives placebo22
9834093467experimental groupreceiving treatment/drug23
9834093468independent variabledrug/procedure/treatment24
9834093469dependent variableoutcome of using the drug/treatment25
9834093470confounding variablecan affect dependent variable beyond experiment's control26
9834093471scientific methodtheory hypothesis operational definition revision27
9834093472theorygeneral idea being tested28
9834093473hypothesismeasurable/specific29
9834093474operational definitionprocedures that explain components30
9834093475modeappears the most31
9834093476meanaverage32
9834093477medianmiddle33
9834093478rangehighest - lowest34
9834093479standard deviationhow scores vary around the mean35
9834093480central tendencysingle score that represents the whole36
9834093481bell curve(natural curve)37
9834093482ethics of testing on animalsneed to be treated humanly basically similar to humans38
9834093483ethics of testing on humansconsent debriefing no unnecessary discomfort/pain confidentiality39
9834093484sensory neuronstravel from sensory receptors to brain40
9834093485motor neuronstravel from brain to "motor" workings41
9834093486interneurons(in brain and spinal cord) connecting motor and sensory neurons42
9834093679neuron43
9834093487dendritesreceive messages from other neurons44
9834093488myelin sheathprotects the axon45
9834093489axonwhere charges travel from cell body to axon terminal46
9834093490neurotransmitterschemical messengers47
9834093491reuptakeextra neurotransmitters are taken back48
9834093492excitatory charge"Let's do it!"49
9834093493inhibitory charge"Let's not do it!"50
9834093494central nervous systembrain and spinal cord51
9834093495peripheral nervous systemsomatic nervous system autonomic nervous system52
9834093496somatic nervous systemvoluntary movements53
9834093497autonomic nervous systeminvoluntary movements (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems)54
9834093498sympathetic nervous systemarousing55
9834093499parasympathetic nervous systemcalming56
9834093500neural networksmore connections form with greater use others fall away if not used57
9834093501spinal cordexpressway of information bypasses brain when reflexes involved58
9834093502endocrine systemslow uses hormones in the blood system59
9834093503master glandpituitary gland60
9834093504brainstemextension of the spinal cord responsible for automatic survival61
9834093505reticular formation (if stimulated)sleeping subject wakes up62
9834093506reticular formation (if damaged)coma63
9834093507brainstem (if severed)still move (without purpose)64
9834093508thalamussensory switchboard (does not process smell)65
9834093509hypothalamusbasic behaviors (hunger, thirst, sex, blood chemistry)66
9834093510cerebellumnonverbal memory, judge time, balance emotions, coordinate movements67
9834093511cerebellum (if damaged)difficulty walking and coordinating68
9834093512amygdalaaggression, fear, and memory associated with these emotions69
9834093513amygdala (if lesioned)subject is mellow70
9834093514amygdala (if stimulated)aggressive71
9834093515hippocampusprocess new memory72
9834093516cerebrumtwo large hemispheres perceiving, thinking, and processing73
9834093517cerebral cortexonly in higher life forms74
9834093518association areasintegrate and interpret information75
9834093519glial cellsprovide nutrients to myelin sheath marks intelligence higher proportion of glial cells to neurons76
9834093520frontal lobejudgement, personality, processing (Phineas Gage accident)77
9834093521parietal lobemath and spatial reasoning78
9834093522temporal lobeaudition and recognizing faces79
9834093523occipital lobevision80
9834093524corpus callosumsplit in the brain to stop hyper-communication (eliminate epileptic seizures)81
9834093525Wernicke's areainterprets auditory and hearing82
9834093526Broca's areaspeaking words83
9834093527plasticityability to adapt if damaged84
9834093528sensationwhat our senses tell us85
9834093529bottom-up processingsenses to brain86
9834093530perceptionwhat our brain tells us to do with that information87
9834093531top-down processingbrain to senses88
9834093532inattentional blindnessfail to "gorilla" because attention is elsewhere89
9834093533cocktail party effecteven with tons of stimuli, we are able to pick out our name, etc.90
9834093534change blindnessgiving directions and person is changed and we don't notice91
9834093535choice blindnesswhen defending the choice we make, we fail to notice choice was changed92
9834093536absolute thresholdminimum stimulation needed in order to notice 50% of the time93
9834093537signal detection theorywe notice what is more important to us (rather hear a baby crying)94
9834093538JND (just noticeable difference)(Weber's law) difference between different stimuli noticed in proportion95
9834093539sensory adaptationtired of noticing (Brain says, "Been there, done that. Next?"96
9834093540rodsnight time97
9834093541conescolor98
9834093542parallel processingnotice color, form, depth, movement, etc.99
9834093543Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory3 corresponding color receptors (RGB)100
9834093544Hering's opponent-process theoryafter image in opposite colors (RG, YB, WB)101
9834093545trichromatic + opponent-processYoung-Helmholtz -> color stimuli Hering -> en route to cortex102
9834093546frequency we hear mosthuman voice103
9834093547Helmoltz (hearing)we hear different pitches in different places in basilar membrane (high pitches)104
9834093548frequency theoryimpulse frequency (low pitches)105
9834093549Helmholtz + frequency theorymiddle pitches106
9834093550Skin feels what?warmth, cold, pressure, pain107
9834093551gate-control theorysmall fibers - pain large fibers - other senses108
9834093552memory of painpeaks and ends109
9834093553smellclose to memory section (not in thalamus)110
9834093554groupingGestalt make sense of pieces create a whole111
9834093555grouping groupsproximity similarity continuity connectedness closure112
9834093556make assumptions of placementhigher - farther smaller - farther blocking - closer, in front113
9834093557perception =mood + motivation114
9834093558consciousnessawareness of ourselves and the environment115
9834093559circadian rhythmdaily biological clock and regular cycle (sleep and awake)116
9834093560circadian rhythm pattern- activated by light - light sensitive retinal proteins signal brains SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) - pineal gland decreases melatonin117
9834093561What messes with circadian rhythm?artificial light118
9834093562The whole sleep cycle lasts how long?90 minutes119
9834093563sleep stagesrelaxed stage (alpha waves) stage 1 (early sleep) (hallucinations) stage 2 (sleep spindles - bursts of activity) (sleep talk) stage 3 (transition phase) (delta waves) stage 4 (delta waves) (sleepwalk/talk + wet the bed) stage 5 (REM) (sensory-rich dreams) (paradoxical sleep)120
9834093564purpose of sleep1. recuperation - repair neurons and allow unused neural connections to wither 2. making memories 3. body growth (children sleep more)121
9834093565insomniacan't sleep122
9834093566narcolepsyfall asleep anywhere at anytime123
9834093567sleep apneastop breathing in sleep124
9834093568night terrorsprevalent in children125
9834093569sleepwalking/sleeptalkinghereditary - prevalent in children126
9834093570dreaming (3)1. vivid bizarre intense sensory experiences 2. carry fear/survival issues - vestiges of ancestors' survival ideas 2. replay previous day's experiences/worries127
9834093571purpose of dreaming (5 THEORIES)1. physiological function - develop/preserve neural pathways 2. Freud's wish-fulfillment (manifest/latent content) 3. activation synthesis - make sense of stimulation originating in brain 4. information processing 5. cognitive development - reflective of intelligence128
98340935721. Can hypnosis bring you back in time? 2. Can hypnosis make you do things you wouldn't normally do? 3. Can it alleviate pain? 4. What state are you in during hypnosis? 5. Who is more susceptible?1. cannot take you back in time 2. cannot make you do things you won't do 3. can alleviate pain 4. fully conscious ((IMAGINATIVE PEOPLE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE))129
9834093573depressantsslows neural pathways130
9834093574alcohol((depressant)) disrupts memory formation (REM) lowers inhibition expectancy effect131
9834093575barbituates (tranquilizers)((depressant)) reduce anxiety132
9834093576opiates((depressant)) pleasure reduce anxiety/pain133
9834093577stimulantshypes neural processing134
9834093578methamphetamine((stimulant)) heightens energy euphoria affects dopamine135
9834093579caffeine((stimulant))136
9834093580nicotine((stimulant)) CNS releases neurotransmitters calm anxiety reduce pain affects (nor)epinephrine and dopamine137
9834093581cocaine((stimulant)) euphoria affects dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine138
9834093582hallucinogenexcites neural activity139
9834093583ecstasy((hallucinogen)) reuptake is blocked affects dopamine and serotonin140
9834093584LSD((hallucinogen)) affects sensory/emotional "trip" (+/-) affects serotonin141
9834093585marijuana((hallucinogen)) amplify sensory experience disrupts memory formation142
9834093586learningorganism changing behavior due to experience (association of events)143
9834093587types of learningclassical operant observational144
9834093588famous classical psychologistsPavlov and Watson145
9834093589famous operant psychologistSkinner146
9834093590famous observational psychologistsBandura147
9834093591classical conditioningoutside stimulus148
9834093592Pavlov's experimentStep 1: US (food) -> UR (salivation) Step 2: NS (bell) -> US (food) -> UR (salivation) Later... CS (bell) -> CR (salivation)149
9834093593Watson's experimentwhite rat was given to Little Albert Step 1: US (noise) -> UR (cry) Step 2: NS (rat) -> US (noise) -> UR (cry) Later... CS (rat) -> CR (cry)150
9834093594generalizationany small, white fluffy creature will make Albert cry now151
9834093595discriminateany large, white fluffy creature won't make Albert cry152
9834093596extinctionstop "treating" with conditioned response153
9834093597spontaneous recoverybring stimulus back after a while154
9834093598operant conditioningcontrol by organism155
9834093599Skinner's experimentoperant chamber / Skinner box (lead to shaping)156
9834093600shapingget animal closer to doing what you want them to do157
9834093601reinforcerswant to continue behavior (positive reinforcement: give money to do laundry) (negative reinforcement: do to avoid nagging)158
9834093602punishmentswant to stop behavior (positive reinforcement: smack) (negative reinforcement: take away phone)159
9834093603fixed ratiohappens a certain number of times (Starbucks punch card)160
9834093604variable ratiohappens an unpredictable number of times (winning the lottery)161
9834093605organism must do these (2 times)fixed ratio and variable ratio162
9834093606fixed intervalhappens at a certain time (mailman comes to the house at 10:00 AM)163
9834093607variable intervalhappens at any time (receive texts from friends)164
9834093608these things happen regardless (2 times)fixed interval and variable interval165
9834093609Which (fixed/variable) conditions better?variable166
9834093610criticisms of Skinnerdoesn't take into account intrinsic motivation167
9834093611intrinsic motivationdoing something for yourself, not the reward168
9834093612extrinsic motivationdoing something for reward169
9834093613Skinner's legacyuse it personally, at school, and at work170
9834093614famous observational experimentBandura's Bobo doll171
9834093615famous observational psychologistBandura172
9834093616mirror neurons"feel" what is observed happens in higher order animals173
9834093617Bobo doll experiment legacyviolent video games/movies desensitize us see good: do good see evil: do evil174
9834093618observational learningbiological behaviors work best175
9834093619habituationget used to it -> stop reacting176
9834093620examples for observational learninglectures and reading177
9834093621serotonin involved with memoryspeeds the connection between neurons178
9834093622LTP((long-term potentiation)) strengthens potential neural forming (associated with speed)179
9834093623CREBprotein that can switch genes on/off with memory and connection of memories180
9834093624glutamate involved with memoryneurotransmitter that enhances LTP181
9834093625glucose involved with memoryreleased during strong emotions ((signaling important event to be remembered))182
9834093626flashbulb memorytype of memory remembered because it was an important/quick moment183
9834093627amygdala (memory)boosts activity of proteins in memory-forming areas to fight/flight184
9834093628cerebellum (memory)forms and stores implicit memories ((classical conditioning))185
9834093629hippocampus (memory)active during sleep (forming memories) ((information "moves" after 48 hours))186
9834093630memorylearning over time contains information that can be retrieved187
9834093631processing stagesencoding -> storage -> retrieval188
9834093632encodinginformation going in189
9834093633storagekeeping information in190
9834093634retrievaltaking information out191
9834093635How long is sensory memory stored?seconds192
9834093636How long is short-term memory stored?less than a minute193
9834093637How many bits of information is stored in short-term memory?7194
9834093638How many chunks of information is stored in short-term memory?4195
9834093639How many seconds of words is stored in short-term memory?2196
9834093640short term memory goes to ______________working memory197
9834093641working memorymake a connection and process information to mean something198
9834093642working memory goes to _________________long-term memory199
9834093643How much is stored in long-term memory?LIMITLESS200
9834093644implicit memorynaturally do201
9834093645explicit memoryneed to explain202
9834093646automatic processingspace, time, frequency, well-learned information203
9834093647effortful processingprocessing that requires effort204
9834093648spacing effectspread out learning over time205
9834093649serial position effectprimary/recency effect206
9834093650primary effectremember the first things in a list207
9834093651recency effectremember the last things in a list208
9834093652effortful processing (4 things)1. recency effect 2. spacing effect 3. testing effect 4. serial position effect209
9834093653semantic encoding (1) meaning (2) how tomake meaning out of something --- chunk, hierarchy, or connect to you210
9834093654if we can't remember a memory...1. change memory to suit us 2. fill in the blanks with logical story211
9834093655misinformation effectnot correct information212
9834093656imagination inflationimagine or visualize something that isn't real213
9834093657source amnesiawhat is the truth? (is it a dream, story, memory, etc.?)214
9834093658primingassociation (setting you up)215
9834093659contextenvironment helps with memory216
9834093660state-dependencyyou may remember something if you go back to the state you were in (go back to high)217
9834093661mood-congruencyemotion will bring back similar emotional memories218
9834093662forgetting curveforget after 5 days forget after 5 years219
9834093663the forgetting curve was created byEbbinghaus220
9834093664proactive interferenceold information interferes with the new221
9834093665retroactive interferencenew information interferes with the old222
9834093666children can't remember before age __3223
9834093667Loftusconnected to abuse cases/childhood224
9834093668prototypesgeneralize225
9834093669problem-solving (4)trial + error algorithms heuristic (representative + availability) insight - "AHA!"226
9834093670against problem-solvingfixation227
9834093671mental setwhat has worked in the past228
9834093672functional fixednessonly way to do this is with this229
9834093673Chomsky (nature or nurture?)"born with language" (nature)230
9834093674Skinner (nature or nurture?)language is learned (nurture)231
9834093675grammar is _________universal232
9834093676phonemessmallest sound unit233
9834093677morphemessmallest meaning unit234

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!