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