MCAT PsS (The Princeton Review and Anki hybrid)
authoritarian parenting
parenting style parents impose strict rules that are expected to be followed unconditionally in an attempt to control children. Style is demanding and often relies on punishment
aggregate
people exist in the same space but do not interact or share a common sense of identity
category
people who share similar characteristics but are not otherwise tied together as a group
cocktail party effect
phenomenon of information of personal importance from previously unattended channels "catching" one's attention (squirrel!)
cones
photoreceptors in the retina of the eye that respond to bright light and provide color vision Located in the macula densa or fovea centralis
algorithm
problem solving method step-by-step detailing of steps that aids with problem solving
classical conditioning
process in which two stimuli are paired in a way that changes a response to one of them
achieved status
status you get due to your efforts Work hard, play hard
ascribed status
statuses that are assigned to a person by society regardless of the person's own efforts Princess status
behavioral genetics
study the role of inheritance in interacting with experience to determine an individual's personality and behaviors
auditory cortex
temporal lobe processes sound information
confirmation bias
tendency to make/interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs/theories. Seek out results that support your bias
cornea
the clear portion of the tough outer layer of the eyeball, found over the iris and the pupil
beliefs
the convictions or principles that people within a culture hold
cochlea
the curled structure in the inner ear that contains the membranes and hair cells used to transduce sound waves into action potentials
choroid plexus
the darkly-pigmented middle layer of the eyeball, found between the sclera (outer layer) and the retina (inner layer)
construct validity
the degree to which a test actually measures what it claims, or purports, to be measuring, the appropriateness of inferences made on the basis of observations or measurements (often test scores), specifically whether a test measures the intended variable
acetylcholinesterase
the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft
bystander effect
the fact that a person is less likely to provide help when there are other people around
Mary Ainsworth
"Strange situation experiments" where mothers (leave their infants in an unfamiliar environment to see how they would react) = Attachment Theory (Secure, Disorganized, Ambivalent, Avoidant); how a person responds to caregiver
aqueous humor
a thin, watery fluid found in the anterior segment of the eye (between the lens and cornea). Bring nutrients to the lens and cornea and removes metabolic wastes
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
a tropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that targets the adrenal cortex, stimulating it to release cortisol and aldosterone
class system
a social stratification where people are grouped together by similar wealth, income, education, and the like, but the classes are open, meaning that people can strive to reach a higher class (or fall to a lower one)
conflict theory
a sociological theory. Characterized by inequality of resources. Individuals compete to obtain resources and stay in a position of advantage. (not equal) Marx Disadvantaged members challenge status quo to promote change
auditory tube
AKA the Eustachian tube, the auditory tube connects the middle ear cavity with the pharynx. Equalize middle ear pressure with atmospheric pressure so that pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane is equal
anxiety disorder
Anxiety is an emotional state of unpleasant physical and mental arousal Anxiety disorder is intense, frequent, irrational (out of proportion), and uncontrollable anxiety; it causes significant distress or impairment of normal functioning
bilateral descent
a system of lineage in which the relatives on the mother's side and father's side are considered equally important
actor-observer bias
Blame OWN actions on situation, blame OTHER actions on personality
Solomon Asch
Conformity Line Studies
attribution theory
a theory that attempts to explain how individuals view behavior - both our own behavior and the behavior of others - by attributing behavior to either internal or external causes; it is the idea that individuals make inferences in order to understand the causes of various behaviors or actions
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Division of the PNS that innervates and controls the visceral organs (everything but the skeletal muscles). It is also known as the involuntary nervous system and can be subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
back stage
Dramaturgical perspective Stage where we can "let down our guard" and be ourselves, as opposed to the "front stage," where we are playing a role for others
cerebral cortex
a thin (4 mm) layer of gray matter on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres. The cerebral cortex = conscious mind, and is functionally divided into four lobes: the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, temporal lobes, and occipital lobes
borderline personality disorder
a psychological disorder characterized by enduring or recurrent instability in impulse control, mood, and image of self and others. Impulsive and reckless behavior, together with extreme mood swings, reactivity, and anger, can lead to unstable relationships and to damage both of the person with the disorder and of others in his or her life
avoidant personality disorder
a psychological disorder characterized by feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, and undesirability, and a preoccupation with fears of criticism and rejection; resulting in the person becoming socially withdrawn
catatonic-type schizophrenia
a psychological disorder characterized by psychosis in the form of catatonic behavior (including extremely retarded or excited motor activity)
Raymond Cattell
a psychologist interest in personality Factor analysis = 16 source traits, and by factor analysis reduced fifteen of these into five global factors: extroversion, anxiety, receptivity, accommodation, and self-control
baroreceptor
a sensory receptor that responds to changes in pressure; for example, there are baroreceptors in the carotid arteries and the aortic arch that monitor blood pressure
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
a clear fluid that circulates around and through the brain and spinal cord. Function = physically support the brain, shock absorber, exchanges nutrients and wastes with the brain and spinal cord Does NOT deliver oxygen to the brain. This is the job of red blood cells; it also helps reduces brain ischemia by reducing its own volume to reduce pressure on the blood vessels
caste system
a closed social stratification Cannot do anything to change the category that they are born into
addiction
a compulsion to do an act repeatedly; can consist of a psychological dependence and/or a physical dependence as evidenced by drug addiction withdrawal
charismatic authority
a form of leadership devotion is reliant upon an individual with exceptional charisma (persuasiveness, charm, and ability to connect with people)
bipolar neuron
a neuron with axons often projecting from opposite sides of the cell body. Bipolar neurons are typically associated with sensory organs
affect
a person's visible emotion in the moment
conditioned response
a previously unconditioned response to an unconditioned stimulus that becomes a learned response to a conditioned stimulus Ex Dwight asking for a mint at sound of computer start-up
assimilation
Individual forsakes aspects of his or her own cultural tradition to adopt those of a different culture. Individual = member of a minority group who is attempting to conform to the culture of the dominant group
acculturation
a process that occurs when one group ADOPTS the behavior and cultural patterns of another after the two have made contact
chemoreceptor
a sensory receptor that responds to specific chemicals. Some examples are gustatory (taste) receptors, olfactory (smell) receptors, and central chemoreceptors (which respond to changes in CSF pH)
anterior pituitary gland
Makes and secretes six different hormones: FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, and GH. The anterior pituitary is controlled by releasing and inhibiting factors from the hypothalamus
behaviorism perspective
Personality = result of learned behavior patterns based on a person's environment. Behaviorism is deterministic, proposing that people being as blank slates, and that environmental reinforcement and punishment completely determine an individual's subsequent behavior and personalities
concrete operational stage
Piaget's third stage of developmental theory Children aged 7 to 11 learn to think logically and learn the principle of conservation as well as mathematical concepts
affirmative action
Policies that take factors like race or sex into consideration to benefit underrepresented groups in admissions or job hiring decisions. Used to benefit current or past victims of discrimination (ie. College Tuition)
amalgamation
occurs when majority and minority groups combine to form a new group
Albert Bandura
Social Cognitive Theory famous for his Bobo doll studies that demonstrated observational learning also pioneered the idea of the importance of self-efficacy in promoting learning
conversion disorder
a psychological disorder characterized by a change in sensory or motor function that has no discernible physical or physiological cause, and which seems to be significantly affected by psychological factors. The symptoms of conversion disorder begin or worsen after an emotional conflict of other stressor
antisocial personality disorder
a psychological disorder characterized by a history of serious behavior problems beginning in adolescence, including significant aggression against people or animals, deliberate property destruction, lying or theft, and serious rule violation
body dysmorphic diorder
a psychological disorder characterized by a preoccupation with a slight physical anomaly or imagined defect in appearance, often involving the face, hair, breasts, or genitalia
adrenal medulla
The inner region of the adrenal gland Part of the sympathetic nervous system. Releases epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine into the bloodstream when stimulated --> prolong and enhance the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the body
bipolar disorder
a psychological disorder characterized by cyclic mood episodes at both extremes of "poles," depression and mania. In bipolar I disorder, a person has experiences at least one manic or mixed episode. In bipolar II disorder, the manic phases are less extreme
coercive organizations
organization in which members do not have a choice in joining
bottom-up processing
a type of sensory processing that beings with the sensory receptors and works up to the complex integration of information occurring in the brain; Example = idly looking at characteristics (sensory info) and categorizing people as male or female
chemical synapse
a type of synapse at which a chemical (a neurotransmitter) is released from the axon of a neuron into the synaptic cleft, where it binds to receptors on the next structure (either another neuron or an organ)
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
a type of therapy that addresses thoughts and behaviors that are maladaptive by using goal-oriented and systematic techniques
acting out
overt expression of unconscious emotions and impulses without insightful understanding of one's behavior
amygdala
almond-shaped structure deep within the brain orchestrates emotional experiences
basal nuceli
also known as basal ganglia, structures in the brain that help to smooth coordinated movement by inhibiting excess movement
capitalism
an economic system in which resources and production are mainly privately owned and goods/services are produced for a profit
anterograde amnesia
an inability to form new memories (hallmark of Dementia)
consciousness
awareness of self, internal states, and the environment
altruism
behavior by a person that benefits another person/group at one's own expense could be selfish if anticipate future self-benefit
Broca's area
brain region = left hemisphere of the frontal lobe. Involved with speech production. Broca's aphasia = individuals know what they want to say but are unable to express it verbally (Broca-Boca)
absolute poverty
can't meet bare minimum of basic necessities (clean drinking water, food, safe housing, reliable healthcare)
action potential
change in neuron's membrane potential; all-or-none processes. Na+ in the cell (causes depolarization) K+ out of cell (causes repolarization) resting membrane potential = -70
associative learning
classical and operant conditioning
central route
cognitive route of persuasion Based on the content and deeper aspects of an argument
activation-synthesis theory
dream theory dreams are simply byproducts of brain activation during REM sleep. Suggests that the content of dreams = not purposeful or meaningful
acquisition
in classical conditioning learning the association between a conditioned stimulus and response
confederates
in psychological and social research, a confederate is a person who is working with the experimenter and posing as a part of the experiment, but the subjects are not aware of this affiliation
Babinski reflex
in response to the sole of the foot being stroked, a baby's big toe moves upward or toward the top surface of the foot and the other toes fan out
church
in sociology, a type of religious organization that is well-integrated into the political and economic structures of society, and attempts to provide an all-encompassing worldview for followers
alpha waves sleep
low amplitude, high frequency brain waves present in a relaxed state. Alpha waves are the first indicator that a person is read to drift off into sleep
biofeedback
means of recording and feeding back information about subtle autonomic responses to an individual in an attempt to train the individual to control previously involuntary responses (for example, muscle tension, heart rate, respiratory rate)
chunking
memory technique Remember stuff by organizing into discrete groups of data. This clustering allows more information to be remembered overall
availability heuristic
mental shortcut Favor easily recalled solution as shortcut to making a judgement call.
ciliary muscle
muscle that helps focus light on the retina by controlling the curvature of the lens of the eye Contract = lens thicker (see close-up; explains worse close-up sight of old people because the ciliary muscle weakens over time) Relax = lens flatter
acetylcholine (ACh)
neurotransmitter neuromuscular junction parasympathetic nervous system preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system
basilar membrane
the flexible membrane in the cochlea that supports the organ of Corti (the structure that contains the hearing receptors). The fibers of the basilar membrane are short and stiff near the oval window and long and flexible near the apex of the cochlea. This difference in structure helps the basilar membrane to transduce pitch
belief perseverance
the maintenance of beliefs even in the face of evidence to the contrary (similar to belief bias -- tendency to draw conclusions based on what already believes rather than sound logic)
Alzheimer's Disease
the most prevalent form of dementia Inability to form new memories = anterograde amnesia
adrenal cortex
the outer region of the adrenal gland. Produces cortisol in response to long-term (chronic) stress and aldosterone in response to low BP or low blood osmolarity
avoidance learning
the process by which one learns to perform a behavior in order to ensure that a negative or aversive stimulus will not be present
cerebellum
the region of the brain that coordinates and smooths skeletal muscle activity
anal stage
the second of Freud's five psychosexual stages child seeks sensual pleasure through control of elimination (Babies poop a shit ton)
circadian rhythm
the waxing and waning of alertness throughout the 24-hour day
Canon-Bard Theory
theory of emotion physiological and cognitive aspects of emotion occur simultaneously, independently and collectively lead to the behavioral reaction (cannon ball!)
behavioral therapy
this type of therapy uses conditioning to shape a client's behaviors in the desired direction
conformity
to fit into social context, result of passive influence changing behavior and attitude. Includes Internalization vs. Identification
cognitive psychology
tradition of psychology that focuses on the brain, cognitions, and thoughts as mediating learning and stimulus-response behaviors
cognitive dissonance theory
unpleasant state when 2 attitudes you have are in conflict with each other. Person (usually) likely to change behavior to remove conflict Example = person who smokes but knows that smoking causes lung cancer. However, a lung cancer surgeon is unlikely to experience cognitive dissonance when handed a box of cigarettes (because he is expert in his field!)
central executive
working memory model = part of Alan Baddeley's model = visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop, and episodic buffer. Responsible for shifting and dividing attention
