AP Psychology Flashcards Study Guide

Introduction

• Collection of flashcards to assist in studying AP Psychology.
• Topics cover various psychological theories, methodologies, and biological aspects.

Psychological Schools of Thought

• Structuralism: Focus on parts of the mind and consciousness. Associated with Wundt.
• Functionalism: Focus on how parts of the mind work. Associated with James.
• Psychoanalysis: Unconscious memories guiding behaviors. Key figures: Freud, Horney, Adler, Jung, and Rorschach.
• Behaviorism: Observable behaviors and learning through rewards, punishments, and associations. Key figures: Skinner and Watson.
• Humanism: Human potential and positive psychology. Key figures: Maslow, Rogers, and Seligman.
• Cognitive Perspective: Internal thoughts and feelings influencing behavior.

Research Methods

• Case Study: In-depth study of an individual, non-replicable.
• Survey: Collects data on feelings, attitudes, opinions quickly.
• Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environment without their knowledge.

Ethical Principles in Research

• Informed Consent: Participants must be aware of experimentation and risks.
• Debriefing: Post-experiment sharing of information with participants.

Bias and Group Dynamics

• Hindsight Bias: Believing an outcome was predictable after it occurs.
• Overconfidence: Overestimating our capabilities or intelligence.
• Confirmation Bias: Seeking information that confirms existing beliefs.
• Experimental Group: Group receiving the change in a study.
• Control Group: Receives a placebo.
• Independent Variable: Variable manipulated in the experiment.
• Dependent Variable: Variable measured in response to changes.
• Random Assignment: Participants randomly allocated to groups.
• Single-Blind Study: Participants unaware of group assignment.
• Double-Blind Study: Neither participants nor researchers know group assignments.
• Confounding Variable: Unwanted variables that may affect outcomes.

Statistical Terms

• Mean: Average of a data set.
• Median: Middle value in ordered data.
• Mode: Most frequently occurring value.
• Range: Difference between highest and lowest values.
• Standard Deviation: Measure of data spread around the mean.
• Illusory Correlation: Perceiving a relationship between variables where none exists.
• Correlation Coefficient: Measure of the strength and direction of a relationship.
• Statistical Significance: Result likelihood not due to chance, typically p < .05.

Biological Aspects

• Neuron: Basic nerve cell.
• Glial cells: Supportive cells for neurons.
• Neurotransmitters: Chemicals transmitting signals between neurons.
• Action Potential: Neural impulse traveling along axons.
• Myelin Sheath: Insulating layer around axons.

Key Neurotransmitters

• Acetylcholine: Muscle action, learning, memory.
• Dopamine: Movement, attention, learning, pleasure.
• Serotonin: Mood, hunger, sleep, arousal.
• Norepinephrine: Alertness, stress response.
• GABA: Inhibitory, calming effect.
• Glutamate: Excitatory, involved in memory.

Nervous System

• Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary muscle movements.
• Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates internal organs and glands automatically.
• Sympathetic Nervous System: Arouses the body for action.
• Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body, conserves energy.

Endocrine System

• Hormones: Chemical messengers.
• Adrenal Gland: Regulates stress response and cortisol.
• Pituitary Gland: Master gland, regulates other hormones.

Brain Imaging Techniques

• EEG: Measures electrical brain waves.
• MEG: Measures magnetic fields in the brain.
• CT Scan: X-ray images for internal structures.
• PET Scan: Tracks radioactive glucose in metabolic activities.
• MRI: Detailed images of brain structures.

Genetic Components

• DNA: Carrier of genetic information.
• Genome: Complete genetic material of an organism.
• Chromosomes: DNA structures carrying genes.

Brain Structures and Functions

• Thalamus: Relay station for sensory information.
• Reticular Formation: Role in multitasking.
• Pons: Associated with wakefulness and alertness.
• Medulla: Regulates heartbeat and breathing.
• Hypothalamus: Regulates bodily maintenance and endocrine functions.
• Amygdala: Emotion processing center.
• Hippocampus: Memory consolidation.
• Frontal Lobe: Decision making, emotions, personality.
• Motor Cortex: Controls voluntary movements.
• Sensory Cortex: Processes sensory information.
• Parietal Lobe: Touch, pressure, temperature, pain.
• Temporal Lobe: Hearing, speech, language.
• Occipital Lobe: Vision processing.
• Broca's Area: Speech production.
• Wernicke's Area: Understanding of speech.

Neuroplasticity and Consciousness

• Plasticity: Brain's ability to adapt and change.
• Dual Processing: Simultaneous conscious and unconscious information processing.
• Neurogenesis: Formation of new neurons throughout life.

Sleep and Dreaming

• Circadian Rhythm: Internal body clock.
• REM: Dream stage with rapid eye movement.
• Alpha Waves: Relaxed, awake state.
• Delta Waves: Deep sleep waves.
• Hypnagogic Sensations: Hallucinations during sleep onset.
• Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping.
• Narcolepsy: Sudden sleep attacks.
• Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep.
• Night Terrors: Abrupt awakenings with fear.
• REM Rebound: Increased REM sleep following deprivation.
• Manifest Content: Remembered dreams.
• Latent Content: Hidden dream meanings.

Drug Effects

• Tolerance: Reduced effect of a drug over time.
• Withdrawal: Symptoms from stopping drug use.
• Depressants: Slow neural activity.
• Stimulants: Increase neural activity.
• Hallucinogens: Distort perceptions and sensory input.

Sensation and Perception

• Sensation: Detection and conversion of external stimuli.
• Perception: Interpretation of sensory input.
• Top-down Processing: Perception influenced by prior knowledge.
• Bottom-up Processing: Sensory input leading to perception.