People Worth Knowing
Biological Perspective
The Brain
Research Methods
Sensation and Perception
100

Approach-Approach, Avoidance-Avoidance, Approach-Avoidance are all part of ____'s Motivational Conflicts theory

Lewin's

100

Acetylcholine acts as one of these chemicals that pass nerve impulses across synapses.

Neurotransmitter

100

Phineas Gage was very different after a 3' rod shot through this lobe and dramatically altered his impulse control

frontal lobe

100

This type of research examines relationships between variables without manipulating them, can often use surveys to get data to compare.

correlational research

100

This structure in the inner ear is filled with fluid and contains hair cells that convert sound waves into neural signals sent to the brain.

cochlea

200

This phenomenon describes the steady increase in average IQ scores over generations, likely influenced by factors like improved education, nutrition, and access to information.

The Flynn Effect

200

This type of neuron transmits signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands to produce a response.

Motor neuron

200

"I have eyes in the back of my head" is actually somewhat accurate because your visual processing happening here at the rear of the brain

occipital lobe

200

This variable is the one that is manipulated in an experiment.

Independent variable

200

This part of the eye contains rods and cones that detect light and help convert visual information into neural signals.

retina

300

This concept from the Yerkes-Dodson Law refers to this concept where too little or too much stress can reduce effectiveness.

optimum arousal

300

This system regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing without conscious control.

Autonomic

300

Your balance and muscle memory are associated with this "small brain" located just below the lobes and behind the brain stem

cerebellum

300

This sampling method gives every member of a population an equal chance of being selected.

random sampling

300

When reading messy handwriting, your brain uses prior knowledge and context to quickly figure out the words—even if some letters are unclear. This is an example of this type of processing.

Top-down processing
400

According to Lev Vygotsky, this concept describes the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance or support.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

400

This phenomenon occurs when experiences change the structure or function of the brain by forming new neural connections over time.

(Neuro) plasticity

400

This section at the front of the parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information (touch, pain, temp., body position too)

somatosensory cortex

400

A study tests stress levels using only students from one advanced psychology class at a single high school and then claims the results apply to all teenagers in the country. This issue reflects how well findings apply beyond the sample used.

generaliability 

400

A person is looking at an unfamiliar object in the dark. As more light reveals its shape, texture, and details, their perception is built step-by-step from sensory input. This is an example of this type of processing.

Bottom-up processing

500

According to this theorist, children progress through 4 stages of thinking, including sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.

(Jean) Piaget

500

This process involves the body maintaining a stable internal environment such as temperature and glucose levels despite external changes.

homeostasis

500

This structure sits at the top of the brain stem and is known as the "relay station"; all sensory info. is routed through here (except smell)

the thalamus

500

This statistical concept shows how likely results are due to chance rather than the variables being tested (p<0.05)

statistical significance

500

This process refers to the conversion of sensory stimuli (like light or sound) into electrical signals the brain can interpret.

Transduction

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