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

AP Psychology AP Review Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13492806680psychologythe study of behavior and mental processes0
13492806681psychology's biggest questionWhich is more important in determining behavior, nature or nurture?1
13492806682psychology's three levels of analysisbiopsychosocial approach (looks at the biological, psychological, and social-cultural approaches together)2
13492806683biological approachgenetics, close-relatives, body functions3
13492806684evolutionary approachspecies - helped with survival (ancestors)4
13492806685psychodynamic approach(Freud) subconscious, repressed feelings, unfulfilled wishes5
13492806686behavioral approachlearning (classical and operant) observed6
13492806687cognitive approachthinking affects behavior7
13492806688humanistic approachbecoming a better human (behavior, acceptance)8
13492806689social-cultural approachcultural, family, environment9
13492806690two reasons of why experiments are importanthindsight bias + overconfidence10
13492806691types of research methodsdescriptive, correlational, and experimental11
13492806692descriptive methodscase study survey naturalistic observation (DON'T SHOW CAUSE/EFFECT)12
13492806693case studystudies one person in depth may not be typical of population13
13492806694surveystudies lots of people not in depth14
13492806695naturalistic observationobserve + write facts without interference15
13492806696correlational methodshows relation, but not cause/effect scatterplots show research16
13492806697correlation coefficient+ 1.0 (both increase) 0 (no correlation - 1.0 (one increases, other decreases)17
13492806698experimental methoddoes show cause and effect18
13492806699populationtype of people who are going to be used in experiment19
13492806700sampleactual people who will be used (randomness reduces bias)20
13492806701random assignmentchance selection between experimental and control groups21
13492806702control groupnot receiving experimental treatment receives placebo22
13492806703experimental groupreceiving treatment/drug23
13492806704independent variabledrug/procedure/treatment24
13492806705dependent variableoutcome of using the drug/treatment25
13492806706confounding variablecan affect dependent variable beyond experiment's control26
13492806707scientific methodtheory hypothesis operational definition revision27
13492806708theorygeneral idea being tested28
13492806709hypothesismeasurable/specific29
13492806710operational definitionprocedures that explain components30
13492806711modeappears the most31
13492806712meanaverage32
13492806713medianmiddle33
13492806714rangehighest - lowest34
13492806715standard deviationhow scores vary around the mean35
13492806716central tendencysingle score that represents the whole36
13492806717bell curve(natural curve)37
13492806718ethics of testing on animalsneed to be treated humanly basically similar to humans38
13492806719ethics of testing on humansconsent debriefing no unnecessary discomfort/pain confidentiality39
13492806720sensory neuronstravel from sensory receptors to brain40
13492806721motor neuronstravel from brain to "motor" workings41
13492806722interneurons(in brain and spinal cord) connecting motor and sensory neurons42
13492806915neuron43
13492806723dendritesreceive messages from other neurons44
13492806724myelin sheathprotects the axon45
13492806725axonwhere charges travel from cell body to axon terminal46
13492806726neurotransmitterschemical messengers47
13492806727reuptakeextra neurotransmitters are taken back48
13492806728excitatory charge"Let's do it!"49
13492806729inhibitory charge"Let's not do it!"50
13492806730central nervous systembrain and spinal cord51
13492806731peripheral nervous systemsomatic nervous system autonomic nervous system52
13492806732somatic nervous systemvoluntary movements53
13492806733autonomic nervous systeminvoluntary movements (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems)54
13492806734sympathetic nervous systemarousing55
13492806735parasympathetic nervous systemcalming56
13492806736neural networksmore connections form with greater use others fall away if not used57
13492806737spinal cordexpressway of information bypasses brain when reflexes involved58
13492806738endocrine systemslow uses hormones in the blood system59
13492806739master glandpituitary gland60
13492806740brainstemextension of the spinal cord responsible for automatic survival61
13492806741reticular formation (if stimulated)sleeping subject wakes up62
13492806742reticular formation (if damaged)coma63
13492806743brainstem (if severed)still move (without purpose)64
13492806744thalamussensory switchboard (does not process smell)65
13492806745hypothalamusbasic behaviors (hunger, thirst, sex, blood chemistry)66
13492806746cerebellumnonverbal memory, judge time, balance emotions, coordinate movements67
13492806747cerebellum (if damaged)difficulty walking and coordinating68
13492806748amygdalaaggression, fear, and memory associated with these emotions69
13492806749amygdala (if lesioned)subject is mellow70
13492806750amygdala (if stimulated)aggressive71
13492806751hippocampusprocess new memory72
13492806752cerebrumtwo large hemispheres perceiving, thinking, and processing73
13492806753cerebral cortexonly in higher life forms74
13492806754association areasintegrate and interpret information75
13492806755glial cellsprovide nutrients to myelin sheath marks intelligence higher proportion of glial cells to neurons76
13492806756frontal lobejudgement, personality, processing (Phineas Gage accident)77
13492806757parietal lobemath and spatial reasoning78
13492806758temporal lobeaudition and recognizing faces79
13492806759occipital lobevision80
13492806760corpus callosumsplit in the brain to stop hyper-communication (eliminate epileptic seizures)81
13492806761Wernicke's areainterprets auditory and hearing82
13492806762Broca's areaspeaking words83
13492806763plasticityability to adapt if damaged84
13492806764sensationwhat our senses tell us85
13492806765bottom-up processingsenses to brain86
13492806766perceptionwhat our brain tells us to do with that information87
13492806767top-down processingbrain to senses88
13492806768inattentional blindnessfail to "gorilla" because attention is elsewhere89
13492806769cocktail party effecteven with tons of stimuli, we are able to pick out our name, etc.90
13492806770change blindnessgiving directions and person is changed and we don't notice91
13492806771choice blindnesswhen defending the choice we make, we fail to notice choice was changed92
13492806772absolute thresholdminimum stimulation needed in order to notice 50% of the time93
13492806773signal detection theorywe notice what is more important to us (rather hear a baby crying)94
13492806774JND (just noticeable difference)(Weber's law) difference between different stimuli noticed in proportion95
13492806775sensory adaptationtired of noticing (Brain says, "Been there, done that. Next?"96
13492806776rodsnight time97
13492806777conescolor98
13492806778parallel processingnotice color, form, depth, movement, etc.99
13492806779Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory3 corresponding color receptors (RGB)100
13492806780Hering's opponent-process theoryafter image in opposite colors (RG, YB, WB)101
13492806781trichromatic + opponent-processYoung-Helmholtz -> color stimuli Hering -> en route to cortex102
13492806782frequency we hear mosthuman voice103
13492806783Helmoltz (hearing)we hear different pitches in different places in basilar membrane (high pitches)104
13492806784frequency theoryimpulse frequency (low pitches)105
13492806785Helmholtz + frequency theorymiddle pitches106
13492806786Skin feels what?warmth, cold, pressure, pain107
13492806787gate-control theorysmall fibers - pain large fibers - other senses108
13492806788memory of painpeaks and ends109
13492806789smellclose to memory section (not in thalamus)110
13492806790groupingGestalt make sense of pieces create a whole111
13492806791grouping groupsproximity similarity continuity connectedness closure112
13492806792make assumptions of placementhigher - farther smaller - farther blocking - closer, in front113
13492806793perception =mood + motivation114
13492806794consciousnessawareness of ourselves and the environment115
13492806795circadian rhythmdaily biological clock and regular cycle (sleep and awake)116
13492806796circadian rhythm pattern- activated by light - light sensitive retinal proteins signal brains SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) - pineal gland decreases melatonin117
13492806797What messes with circadian rhythm?artificial light118
13492806798The whole sleep cycle lasts how long?90 minutes119
13492806799sleep 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
13492806800purpose of sleep1. recuperation - repair neurons and allow unused neural connections to wither 2. making memories 3. body growth (children sleep more)121
13492806801insomniacan't sleep122
13492806802narcolepsyfall asleep anywhere at anytime123
13492806803sleep apneastop breathing in sleep124
13492806804night terrorsprevalent in children125
13492806805sleepwalking/sleeptalkinghereditary - prevalent in children126
13492806806dreaming (3)1. vivid bizarre intense sensory experiences 2. carry fear/survival issues - vestiges of ancestors' survival ideas 2. replay previous day's experiences/worries127
13492806807purpose 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
134928068081. 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
13492806809depressantsslows neural pathways130
13492806810alcohol((depressant)) disrupts memory formation (REM) lowers inhibition expectancy effect131
13492806811barbituates (tranquilizers)((depressant)) reduce anxiety132
13492806812opiates((depressant)) pleasure reduce anxiety/pain133
13492806813stimulantshypes neural processing134
13492806814methamphetamine((stimulant)) heightens energy euphoria affects dopamine135
13492806815caffeine((stimulant))136
13492806816nicotine((stimulant)) CNS releases neurotransmitters calm anxiety reduce pain affects (nor)epinephrine and dopamine137
13492806817cocaine((stimulant)) euphoria affects dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine138
13492806818hallucinogenexcites neural activity139
13492806819ecstasy((hallucinogen)) reuptake is blocked affects dopamine and serotonin140
13492806820LSD((hallucinogen)) affects sensory/emotional "trip" (+/-) affects serotonin141
13492806821marijuana((hallucinogen)) amplify sensory experience disrupts memory formation142
13492806822learningorganism changing behavior due to experience (association of events)143
13492806823types of learningclassical operant observational144
13492806824famous classical psychologistsPavlov and Watson145
13492806825famous operant psychologistSkinner146
13492806826famous observational psychologistsBandura147
13492806827classical conditioningoutside stimulus148
13492806828Pavlov's experimentStep 1: US (food) -> UR (salivation) Step 2: NS (bell) -> US (food) -> UR (salivation) Later... CS (bell) -> CR (salivation)149
13492806829Watson'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
13492806830generalizationany small, white fluffy creature will make Albert cry now151
13492806831discriminateany large, white fluffy creature won't make Albert cry152
13492806832extinctionstop "treating" with conditioned response153
13492806833spontaneous recoverybring stimulus back after a while154
13492806834operant conditioningcontrol by organism155
13492806835Skinner's experimentoperant chamber / Skinner box (lead to shaping)156
13492806836shapingget animal closer to doing what you want them to do157
13492806837reinforcerswant to continue behavior (positive reinforcement: give money to do laundry) (negative reinforcement: do to avoid nagging)158
13492806838punishmentswant to stop behavior (positive reinforcement: smack) (negative reinforcement: take away phone)159
13492806839fixed ratiohappens a certain number of times (Starbucks punch card)160
13492806840variable ratiohappens an unpredictable number of times (winning the lottery)161
13492806841organism must do these (2 times)fixed ratio and variable ratio162
13492806842fixed intervalhappens at a certain time (mailman comes to the house at 10:00 AM)163
13492806843variable intervalhappens at any time (receive texts from friends)164
13492806844these things happen regardless (2 times)fixed interval and variable interval165
13492806845Which (fixed/variable) conditions better?variable166
13492806846criticisms of Skinnerdoesn't take into account intrinsic motivation167
13492806847intrinsic motivationdoing something for yourself, not the reward168
13492806848extrinsic motivationdoing something for reward169
13492806849Skinner's legacyuse it personally, at school, and at work170
13492806850famous observational experimentBandura's Bobo doll171
13492806851famous observational psychologistBandura172
13492806852mirror neurons"feel" what is observed happens in higher order animals173
13492806853Bobo doll experiment legacyviolent video games/movies desensitize us see good: do good see evil: do evil174
13492806854observational learningbiological behaviors work best175
13492806855habituationget used to it -> stop reacting176
13492806856examples for observational learninglectures and reading177
13492806857serotonin involved with memoryspeeds the connection between neurons178
13492806858LTP((long-term potentiation)) strengthens potential neural forming (associated with speed)179
13492806859CREBprotein that can switch genes on/off with memory and connection of memories180
13492806860glutamate involved with memoryneurotransmitter that enhances LTP181
13492806861glucose involved with memoryreleased during strong emotions ((signaling important event to be remembered))182
13492806862flashbulb memorytype of memory remembered because it was an important/quick moment183
13492806863amygdala (memory)boosts activity of proteins in memory-forming areas to fight/flight184
13492806864cerebellum (memory)forms and stores implicit memories ((classical conditioning))185
13492806865hippocampus (memory)active during sleep (forming memories) ((information "moves" after 48 hours))186
13492806866memorylearning over time contains information that can be retrieved187
13492806867processing stagesencoding -> storage -> retrieval188
13492806868encodinginformation going in189
13492806869storagekeeping information in190
13492806870retrievaltaking information out191
13492806871How long is sensory memory stored?seconds192
13492806872How long is short-term memory stored?less than a minute193
13492806873How many bits of information is stored in short-term memory?7194
13492806874How many chunks of information is stored in short-term memory?4195
13492806875How many seconds of words is stored in short-term memory?2196
13492806876short term memory goes to ______________working memory197
13492806877working memorymake a connection and process information to mean something198
13492806878working memory goes to _________________long-term memory199
13492806879How much is stored in long-term memory?LIMITLESS200
13492806880implicit memorynaturally do201
13492806881explicit memoryneed to explain202
13492806882automatic processingspace, time, frequency, well-learned information203
13492806883effortful processingprocessing that requires effort204
13492806884spacing effectspread out learning over time205
13492806885serial position effectprimary/recency effect206
13492806886primary effectremember the first things in a list207
13492806887recency effectremember the last things in a list208
13492806888effortful processing (4 things)1. recency effect 2. spacing effect 3. testing effect 4. serial position effect209
13492806889semantic encoding (1) meaning (2) how tomake meaning out of something --- chunk, hierarchy, or connect to you210
13492806890if we can't remember a memory...1. change memory to suit us 2. fill in the blanks with logical story211
13492806891misinformation effectnot correct information212
13492806892imagination inflationimagine or visualize something that isn't real213
13492806893source amnesiawhat is the truth? (is it a dream, story, memory, etc.?)214
13492806894primingassociation (setting you up)215
13492806895contextenvironment helps with memory216
13492806896state-dependencyyou may remember something if you go back to the state you were in (go back to high)217
13492806897mood-congruencyemotion will bring back similar emotional memories218
13492806898forgetting curveforget after 5 days forget after 5 years219
13492806899the forgetting curve was created byEbbinghaus220
13492806900proactive interferenceold information interferes with the new221
13492806901retroactive interferencenew information interferes with the old222
13492806902children can't remember before age __3223
13492806903Loftusconnected to abuse cases/childhood224
13492806904prototypesgeneralize225
13492806905problem-solving (4)trial + error algorithms heuristic (representative + availability) insight - "AHA!"226
13492806906against problem-solvingfixation227
13492806907mental setwhat has worked in the past228
13492806908functional fixednessonly way to do this is with this229
13492806909Chomsky (nature or nurture?)"born with language" (nature)230
13492806910Skinner (nature or nurture?)language is learned (nurture)231
13492806911grammar is _________universal232
13492806912phonemessmallest sound unit233
13492806913morphemessmallest 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!