What is Psychology?
Research Methods
Biological Foundations
Sensation & Perception
States of Consciousness
100

What is psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

100

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction in research.

100

What is a neuron?

The building block of the nervous system.

100

What is sensation?

Detecting energy from the environment.

100

What is REM sleep?

Sleep stage with vivid dreams.

200

What is structuralism?

School of thought that broke the mind into basic elements.

200

What is the independent variable?

The variable the experimenter manipulates.

200

What is the axon?

The part of the neuron that sends messages.

200

What is perception?

Interpreting sensory input.

200

What are stimulants?

Drugs that speed up the nervous system.

300

What is evolutionary psychology?


Approach focusing on adaptation and survival.

300

What is the inability to show cause and effect?

A disadvantage of correlation studies.

300

What is the thalamus?

The brain’s “relay station” for sensory info.


300

What is the difference threshold?

The smallest change detected 50% of the time.

300

What is narcolepsy?

Sleep disorder with sudden “attacks” of sleep.

400

Who is Sigmund Freud?

Founder of psychoanalysis.

400

What is a representative sample?

A sample that reflects the population accurately.

400

What is the cerebral cortex?

The brain region for higher thinking.

400

What is the retina?

The eye’s light-sensitive layer.

400

What is meditation?

A learned technique to focus attention.

500

What is the humanistic approach?

Approach that emphasizes positive qualities and growth.

500

What is a longitudinal study?

Following people over time to see change.

500

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain’s ability to change with experience.

500

What is the trichromatic theory?

Theory that color vision comes from red, green, blue cones.

500

What is latent content?

Hidden meaning of dreams (Freud’s idea).