AP Psychology Midterm Review Guide

A research method that involves in-depth analysis of an individual, group, or event. It aims to provide detailed information about a specific case.

A research method that involves manipulating an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable. It helps establish cause-and-effect relationships.

A research method that examines the relationship between two or more variables, without manipulating them. It helps identify patterns and trends.

A psychological approach emphasizing the role of physical processes, like brain activity and neurochemicals, in shaping behavior.

A psychological approach explaining behavior through the lens of evolution, emphasizing how natural selection has shaped our traits.

A psychological approach that studies the impact of genetic inheritance on psychological traits, like personality and intelligence.

A psychological approach that emphasizes the power of the unconscious mind and early life experiences to shape behavior.

A psychological approach focusing on observable behavior and the role of environmental stimuli in shaping behavior.

A type of research where a researcher observes behavior in a natural setting without interfering.

A research method where data is collected from a group of people at a single point in time.

A research method where the same individuals are studied repeatedly over a long period.

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher.

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

An outside influence that can affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

A variable that is kept constant throughout an experiment to rule out alternative explanations.

A technique where participants are assigned to different groups randomly, ensuring an equal chance of being in any group.

A technique where every individual in a population has an equal chance of being selected for the study.

A bias where researchers tend to favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs.

A bias where people tend to overestimate their knowledge or ability.

A bias where people tend to believe they predicted an event after it happened.

The average score in a dataset.

The middle score in an ordered dataset.

The score that appears most frequently in a dataset.

Research focused on understanding phenomena or behavior, often theoretical and aimed at expanding knowledge.

Research that aims to solve real-world problems and innovate new technologies, applying scientific findings to practical situations.

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating bodily functions.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) acts as a communication network, connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) automatically regulates involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat, digestion, and breathing. It has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

The somatic nervous system (SNS) controls voluntary movements and receives sensory information from the environment.

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action, activating the 'fight or flight' response in response to stress or perceived threats.

The parasympathetic nervous system calms and restores the body to a state of rest and relaxation after a stressful response.

Branch-like fibers extending from the neuron's cell body that receive incoming signals from other neurons.

The spherical part of a neuron containing the nucleus, responsible for supporting its life functions.

A long, slender fiber extending from the neuron's cell body that transmits action potentials (nerve impulses) to other neurons.

A fatty substance that surrounds the axon, acting as an insulator and allowing for faster transmission of nerve impulses.

The ending of the axon, where it releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft to communicate with other neurons.

The firing process of a neuron, which operates on the all-or-nothing principle, involving steps like depolarization, action potential, and repolarization.

Chemical messengers released by neurons to communicate with other neurons across the synaptic cleft.

A class of drugs that treat mood disorders like depression by increasing the availability of serotonin in the synapse.

A condition characterized by excessive serotonin activity in the brain, leading to symptoms like confusion, agitation, and sweating.

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal, mood regulation, and cognitive functions like learning and memory.

A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, attention, memory, and learning.

A neurotransmitter associated with pain perception and positive emotions, similar to opioid drugs.

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in memory, learning, and movement.

A neurotransmitter involved in pain perception and inflammatory responses.

A substance that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter by binding to its receptors.

A substance that blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter by preventing it from binding to its receptors.

Drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system, often leading to feelings of alertness and energy.

Drugs that slow down activity in the central nervous system, often leading to feelings of relaxation and drowsiness.

Drugs that alter perception and sensory experiences, often causing hallucinations.

Powerful painkillers that act on opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

A state of psychological and/or physical dependence on a substance or activity.

The physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance after developing dependence.

The need to take increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect.

The ability to focus on one stimulus while ignoring other irrelevant stimuli.

The ability to focus on a single auditory stimulus while filtering out other sounds, like at a party.

Failing to notice a visible object in plain sight when our attention is focused elsewhere.

Failing to notice changes in a visual scene, even when we are looking directly at it.

The brain's ability to perceive objects as constant despite changes in sensory input, such as distance, angle, or lighting.

Objects are perceived as the same size even when their distance changes.

Objects are perceived as having the same shape even when viewed from different angles.

Objects are perceived as having the same color despite changes in lighting conditions.

The way information is presented can influence our perception and decisions.

Activation of certain associations, often unconsciously, influencing perception, memory, or response.

The distance between the peaks of light waves, determining the color we perceive.

The height of a light wave, influencing the brightness of the light.

The specific color we see, based on the light's wavelength.

Vibrations in the air that travel as waves, creating what we perceive as sound.

The outer part of the ear that collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal.

The middle ear contains the eardrum and three tiny bones (ossicles) that amplify sound vibrations.

The inner ear's fluid-filled structure that converts sound vibrations into electrical signals.

Specialized cells within the cochlea that detect fluid movement caused by sound vibrations.

The nerve that carries electrical signals from the hair cells to the brain for interpretation.

The frequency of sound waves, determining the perceived pitch.

The intensity of sound waves, determining how loud we perceive the sound.

The destruction of tissue, either naturally occurring or caused intentionally in an experimental setting.

The ability to see objects in three dimensions.

A technique that records electrical brain activity through electrodes placed on the scalp. Useful for studying sleep patterns.

Depth perception cues that can be perceived with one eye.

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain.

Depth perception cues that require both eyes.

A medical imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain's soft tissue.

Similar to a standard MRI, but it also tracks blood flow to different regions of the brain during activity.

The difference in the images from each eye, providing a cue for depth perception.

A medical imaging technique that uses a radioactive tracer to track glucose uptake in the brain, revealing areas of increased activity.

Our internal 24-hour biological clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and other bodily functions.

A state of relaxed wakefulness, marked by slower brain waves.

A state of deep sleep where the brain shows slow delta waves. This is when our bodies recover and repair.

The stage of sleep where rapid eye movement (REM) occurs. This is when dreams are most vivid.

A theory that suggests dreams arise from random neural activity in the brain that the cortex tries to make sense of.

A theory that suggests dreams help us consolidate and integrate new memories and experiences.

The process by which sensory receptors convert physical stimuli into neural signals that the brain can interpret.

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to detect a specific stimulus 50% of the time.

The minimum difference between two stimuli that can be reliably detected 50% of the time. Also known as 'just noticeable difference' (JND).

The degree to which the perceived position of an object changes as an observer's viewpoint changes.

The inward movement of the eyes as they focus on a nearby object.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects as a unified whole, even if they are incomplete or fragmented.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects that are close together as belonging together.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects that are alike (in terms of shape, color, or texture) as belonging together.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects that are continuous as belonging together.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects as a figure against a background.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects that are grouped together in space as belonging together.

A Gestalt principle that suggests we perceive objects that are symmetrical as belonging together.

A theory of sound processing that proposes that different frequencies of sound stimulate different locations on the basilar membrane of the cochlea.

A theory of sound processing that proposes that the frequency of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of the sound wave.

A theory of sound processing that proposes that groups of neurons work together to perceive higher frequencies of sound.

A sense of balance and spatial orientation, located in the inner ear, responsible for detecting head movements and position.

The phenomenon where sensory receptors become less responsive to a constant or unchanging stimulus.

A theory of pain that suggests that non-painful sensations can block or reduce painful sensations.