psychology definitions Flashcards
hypothesis
a prediction that is tested by research
inquiry
a section of a clinical interview where the therapist asks the patient a series of direct questions on different topics
neuron
nerve cells that allow you to walk, talk, eat, and breathe via messages throughout the body
amygdala
small almond shaped portion of the brain that processes memories and emotions associated with fear
psychoanalysis
identifying and releasing repressed memories, emotions, thoughts and desires that are affecting your life in a bad way
amnesia
memory loss that can be either temporary or permanent
TBI
traumatic brain injury (such as a concussion)
dopamine
the “feel good” chemical in the brain
Oxytocin
the “cuddle” chemical in the brain
serotonin
a hormone that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain throughout the body. It helps control the muscles and appetite
teratogen
anything a pregnant woman is exposed to or ingests during pregnancy that can cause abnormalities to the baby
object permanence
the understanding that an item or person continues to exist even when we cant see it
visual cliff
a surface that is flat but has the appearance of a several foot drop
embryo
the early development stage of an animal that inside an egg/female uterus
fetus
an unborn offspring that develops from an embryo
Infant-Directed Speech (Baby talk)
a person speaking to a baby with slower speech, simpler sentences, and sometimes a higher pitched voice
reflexive smile
a short and random occurring smile by babies that is not a response to affection
social smile
a smile that is made when a baby is feeling happy or wants to connect with you
stranger anxiety
a babies anxiety when being left alone with an unfamiliar person
schema
mental files that helps individuals organize, process, and store information about their environment
accommodation (according to piaget)
a term made by piaget to describe what happens when new info/experiences have you modify existing schemas
assimilation (according to piaget)
adding new info into a persons schemas
motion parallax
a type of depth perception cue where closer things appear to move faster than farther away things
synapse
place where neurons connect and communicate with each other
baby schema
schema that identifies things with baby features as cute (big eyes, round face, big head) and motivates caretaking behavior
cortisol
a steroid hormone that is produced by your 2 adrenal glands
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Physical, behavioral, and learning problems that occur when a person was exposed to alcohol as a fetus
habituation
a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure
egocentrism
not being able to differentiate between ones self and others
scaffolding
when someone helps a child do something they cant do on their own until they learn to do it independently
gender role
behaviors or actions that are deemed acceptable or not acceptable depending on the persons gender
critical thinking
being able to effectively analyze information and form an opinion on it
self concept
knowing things about yourself such as your tendencies, preferences, habits, and hobbies
altruism
the motivational state that a person is in when they want to increase the welfare of another person (think mr beast)
synaptic pruning
when the brain removes neurons and synapses it doesnt need
response inhibituation
suppressing actions that’re inappropriate and interfere with goal driven behavior
plasticity
the brains ability to change
Hypothetical-deductive reasoning
a problem solving approach with the process of: forming a hypothesis, making a prediction based off that hypothesis, testing the prediction, analyzing the prediction, and coming up with a conclusion
