absolute threshold

left hemisphere

controls the movement of the right side of the body, for most people it is where speech is located

free association

method used to indirectly study unconscious processes (the patient would say anything that came to mind)

median

middle score

constancy

the tendency to percieve certain objects in the same ways regardless of changing angle, distance, or lighting

vestibular system

3 semicircular canals that provide the sense of balance, located in the inner ear and connected to the brain by a nerve

kinesthesis

the sense of movement and body position

placebo effect

a change in the a participants illness or behavior that results from a belief that the treatment will have an effect, rather than the actual treatment

hindbrain

a part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life

stress

a person's reaction to his or her inability to cope with a certain tense event or situation

theory

a set of assumptions used to try to explain why something is the way it is or happens the way it does

midbrain

a small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory info. and relays it upward

REM sleep

a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a high level of brain activity, a deep relaxation of the muscles, and dreaming

consciousness

a state of awarness, including a person's feelings, sensations, ideas, and perceptions

cross-sectional study

another way to gather data, organize individuals into groups based on age

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered consciousnes

applied science

discovering ways to allow your scientific findings to achieve your practical goals

case study

intensive study ofa person or group

wilhem wundt

known for establishing moden psychology as a seperate, formal field of study

mode

most frequent score

endorphins

neurotransmitters, produce the euphoria of a runners high

eustress

positive stress, which results from motivating strivings and challenges

hassle

relatively minor, day-to-day stressors have on health

fight-or-flight response

stage of alarm, whether or not you are going to face the problem or run away

depth perception

the ability to recognize distances and 3D- developes in infancy

neurotransmitters

the chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at which other neurons fire

meditation

the focusing of attention to clear one's mind and produce relaxation

biofeedback

the process of learning to control bodily states with the help of machines monitoring the states to be controlled

basic science

the pursuit of knowledge about natural phenomena for its own sake

absolute threshold

the weakest amount of a stimulus that a person can detect half the time

approach-avoidance conflict

you find youself in a situation that has both enjoyable and disagreeable consequences