AP Exam Review - 2022
psychology - the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
cognitive neuroscience - the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with
cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
nature-nurture issue - the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that
genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors
biological perspective - the approach that views behavior from the perspective of the
brain, the nervous system, genetics, and other biological functions
evolutionary perspective - the application of principles of evolution, including natural
selection, to explain psychological processes and phenomena.
psychodynamic perspective - A branch of psychology that studies how internal conflicts
and unconscious drives influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people
with psychological disorders. (Influenced by Sigmund Freud's model of psychoanalysis)
behavioral perspective - perspective of psychology that sees psychology as an objective
science without reference to mental states; sees behavior as the result of conditioning &
reinforcement; dominant perspective from 1920s-1960s (a.k.a. the "learning"
perspective)
cognitive perspective - A psychological approach that emphasizes mental processes in
perception, memory, language, problem solving, and other areas of behavior
humanistic perspective - The approach that suggests that all individuals naturally strive
to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior; influenced heavily by
ideas of Rogers and Maslow
social-cultural perspective - approach that emphasizes how behavior and thinking vary
across situations and cultures
basic research - pure research that aims to confirm an existing theory or to learn more
about a concept or phenomenon
applied research - scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
psychiatrist - a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental
disorders; can prescribe medication
,clinical psychologist - holds an advanced degree in psychology but is not a medical
doctor; specializes in identifying and treating persons with mental illness, but does not
prescribe medication
John Watson - American psychologist who founded behaviorism, emphasizing the study
of observable behavior and rejecting the study of mental processes
Charles Darwin - Wrote "The Origin of Species" proposed idea of natural selection as
primary means of species diversity. His influence appears in psychology's evolutionary
perspective.
experimental psychology - the study of behavior and thinking using the experimental
method
biopsychosocial approach - An integrated approach that incorporates biological,
psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
levels of analysis - the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological
to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon
psychometrics - the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes,
and traits; also sometimes called "quantitative psychology"
developmental psychology - A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive,
and social change throughout the life span
educational psychology - the study of how psychological processes affect and can
enhance teaching and learning
personality psychology - the study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking,
feeling and acting
social psychology - The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to
one another
industrial-organizational psychology - application of psychological concepts and
methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces.
human factors psychology - A branch of psychology that explores how people and
machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and
easy to use
counseling psychology - A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in
living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
,community psychology - A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with
their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
central nervous system (CNS) - Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain
and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS) - the sensory and motor neurons that connect the
CNS to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system - division of the peripheral nervous system that control's the
body's skeletal muscles.
neuron - a nerve cell; basic cell of the nervous system
sensory (afferent) neurons - neurons that carry information from the receptors to the
spinal cord and brain
motor (efferent) neurons - neurons that carry information from the brain and spinal cord
to the muscles
autonomic nervous system (ANS) - division of the peripheral nervous system involved in
the control of (generally unconscious/automatic) bodily functioning through organs and
glands; its sympathetic division arouses while the parasympathetic division calms
sympathetic nervous system - subdivision of the autonomic nervous system responsible
for mobilizing the body in times of stress, and preparing for flight or fight
parasympathetic nervous system - subdivision of the autonomic nervous system
responsible for calming the body
reflex - automatic behavior in response to a specific stimulus; does not involve
communication with the brain
brainstem - the oldest part and central core of the brain; responsible for automatic
survival functions and composed of medulla, pons, and reticular formation.
pons - structure of the brainstem that allows for communication between the
cerebellum, cerebral cortex, & brain stem; has nuclei that are important for sleep and
arousal
medulla - base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat & breathing
reticular formation - band of nerve fibers that run through the center of the brain stem;
important in controlling arousal levels
cerebellum - structure of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary muscular movements
, corpus callosum - wide band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the
brain
limbic system - a group of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex that are
involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors
thalamus - subcortical structure that relays incoming sensory information to the cerebral
cortex and other parts of the brain; a.k.a "sensory switchboard"
electroenchephalogram (EEG) - device that monitors and records waves of electric
activity within the brain; measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
positron emission tomography (PET scan) - visual display of brain activity that detects
where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
computed tomography (CT scan) - imaging technique that involves the production of a
large number of X-rays interpreted by a computer
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - imaging technique that involves the use of radio
waves and a strong magnetic field to produce a signal that can be interpreted by
computer
dendrites - short, branchlike structures of a neuron that receive information from
receptors and other neurons
fMRI - technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing
successive MRI scans; capable of showing BOTH structure and function of the brain
soma - cell body of a neuron
axon - part of a neuron tha transmits information to other neurons and to muscles and
glands
myelin sheath - fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing speed of
transmission
neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons
synapse - site where two or more neurons interact but do not touch
reuptake - method of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft, in which the
neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into the terminal buttons
synaptic vesicles - small pockets or sacs located in terminal buttons that contain a
neurotransmitter
psychology - the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
cognitive neuroscience - the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with
cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
nature-nurture issue - the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that
genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors
biological perspective - the approach that views behavior from the perspective of the
brain, the nervous system, genetics, and other biological functions
evolutionary perspective - the application of principles of evolution, including natural
selection, to explain psychological processes and phenomena.
psychodynamic perspective - A branch of psychology that studies how internal conflicts
and unconscious drives influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people
with psychological disorders. (Influenced by Sigmund Freud's model of psychoanalysis)
behavioral perspective - perspective of psychology that sees psychology as an objective
science without reference to mental states; sees behavior as the result of conditioning &
reinforcement; dominant perspective from 1920s-1960s (a.k.a. the "learning"
perspective)
cognitive perspective - A psychological approach that emphasizes mental processes in
perception, memory, language, problem solving, and other areas of behavior
humanistic perspective - The approach that suggests that all individuals naturally strive
to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior; influenced heavily by
ideas of Rogers and Maslow
social-cultural perspective - approach that emphasizes how behavior and thinking vary
across situations and cultures
basic research - pure research that aims to confirm an existing theory or to learn more
about a concept or phenomenon
applied research - scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
psychiatrist - a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental
disorders; can prescribe medication
,clinical psychologist - holds an advanced degree in psychology but is not a medical
doctor; specializes in identifying and treating persons with mental illness, but does not
prescribe medication
John Watson - American psychologist who founded behaviorism, emphasizing the study
of observable behavior and rejecting the study of mental processes
Charles Darwin - Wrote "The Origin of Species" proposed idea of natural selection as
primary means of species diversity. His influence appears in psychology's evolutionary
perspective.
experimental psychology - the study of behavior and thinking using the experimental
method
biopsychosocial approach - An integrated approach that incorporates biological,
psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
levels of analysis - the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological
to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon
psychometrics - the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes,
and traits; also sometimes called "quantitative psychology"
developmental psychology - A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive,
and social change throughout the life span
educational psychology - the study of how psychological processes affect and can
enhance teaching and learning
personality psychology - the study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking,
feeling and acting
social psychology - The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to
one another
industrial-organizational psychology - application of psychological concepts and
methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces.
human factors psychology - A branch of psychology that explores how people and
machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and
easy to use
counseling psychology - A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in
living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
,community psychology - A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with
their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
central nervous system (CNS) - Division of the nervous system that consists of the brain
and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS) - the sensory and motor neurons that connect the
CNS to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system - division of the peripheral nervous system that control's the
body's skeletal muscles.
neuron - a nerve cell; basic cell of the nervous system
sensory (afferent) neurons - neurons that carry information from the receptors to the
spinal cord and brain
motor (efferent) neurons - neurons that carry information from the brain and spinal cord
to the muscles
autonomic nervous system (ANS) - division of the peripheral nervous system involved in
the control of (generally unconscious/automatic) bodily functioning through organs and
glands; its sympathetic division arouses while the parasympathetic division calms
sympathetic nervous system - subdivision of the autonomic nervous system responsible
for mobilizing the body in times of stress, and preparing for flight or fight
parasympathetic nervous system - subdivision of the autonomic nervous system
responsible for calming the body
reflex - automatic behavior in response to a specific stimulus; does not involve
communication with the brain
brainstem - the oldest part and central core of the brain; responsible for automatic
survival functions and composed of medulla, pons, and reticular formation.
pons - structure of the brainstem that allows for communication between the
cerebellum, cerebral cortex, & brain stem; has nuclei that are important for sleep and
arousal
medulla - base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat & breathing
reticular formation - band of nerve fibers that run through the center of the brain stem;
important in controlling arousal levels
cerebellum - structure of the hindbrain that coordinates voluntary muscular movements
, corpus callosum - wide band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the
brain
limbic system - a group of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex that are
involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors
thalamus - subcortical structure that relays incoming sensory information to the cerebral
cortex and other parts of the brain; a.k.a "sensory switchboard"
electroenchephalogram (EEG) - device that monitors and records waves of electric
activity within the brain; measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
positron emission tomography (PET scan) - visual display of brain activity that detects
where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
computed tomography (CT scan) - imaging technique that involves the production of a
large number of X-rays interpreted by a computer
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - imaging technique that involves the use of radio
waves and a strong magnetic field to produce a signal that can be interpreted by
computer
dendrites - short, branchlike structures of a neuron that receive information from
receptors and other neurons
fMRI - technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing
successive MRI scans; capable of showing BOTH structure and function of the brain
soma - cell body of a neuron
axon - part of a neuron tha transmits information to other neurons and to muscles and
glands
myelin sheath - fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing speed of
transmission
neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons
synapse - site where two or more neurons interact but do not touch
reuptake - method of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft, in which the
neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into the terminal buttons
synaptic vesicles - small pockets or sacs located in terminal buttons that contain a
neurotransmitter
