Psychology Unit 2 Vocabulary

Question 1

Absolute threshold

Answer 1

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time.

Question 2

Amygdala

Answer 2

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.

Question 3

Association Areas

Answer 3

The cerebral cortex areas involved primarily in higher mental functions, such as learning, remembering, thinking and speaking.

Question 4

Brainstem

Answer 4

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions.

Question 5

Broca’s Area

Answer 5

The area that controls language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

Question 6

Broca’s Aphasia

Answer 6

Damage to the Broca’s area that makes you unable to speak.

Question 7

Cerebellum

Answer 7

The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.

Question 8

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 8

A thin layer of interconnected neurons covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.

Question 9

Difference Threshold

Answer 9

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time. We experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference.

Question 10

Frontal Lobe

Answer 10

The portion o f the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.

Question 11

Hippocampus

Answer 11

A neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage.

Question 12

Hypothalamus

Answer 12

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward.

Question 13

Limbic System

Answer 13

The neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Question 14

Medulla

Answer 14

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.

Question 15

Motor Cortex

Answer 15

Part of the cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes; controls voluntary movements.

Question 16

Nervous System

Answer 16

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Question 17

Occipital Lobe

Answer 17

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.

Question 18

Parietal Lobe

Answer 18

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Question 19

Perception

Answer 19

The process by which our brain organizes and interprets sensory information, transforming it into meaningful objects and events.

Question 20

Pons

Answer 20

Part of the brain associated with arousal and the ability to relax and helps to coordinate left and right sides of the body.

Question 21

RAS/Reticular Activating System

Answer 21

Controls awake/asleep arousal and ability to focus our attention.

Question 22

Retina

Answer 22

The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye; contains the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information.

Question 23

Sensation

Answer 23

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

Question 24

Sense Receptors

Answer 24

Specialized cells that convert physical energy in the environment or the body to electrical energy that can be transmitted as nerve impulses to the brain.

Question 25

Sensory Adaptation

Answer 25

The reduced sensitivity in response to constant stimulation.

Question 26

Sensory Cortex

Answer 26

The part of the brain that receives incoming touch and skin sensations from the body.

Question 27

Sensory Deprivation

Answer 27

The absence of normal levels of sensory stimulation.

Question 28

Signal-Detection Theory

Answer 28

A psychophysical theory that divides the detection of a sensory signal into a sensory process and a decision process.

Question 29

Temporal Lobe

Answer 29

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes areas that receive information from the ears.

Question 30

Thalamus

Answer 30

The “Sensory Switchboard” of the brain, directs sensory messages to the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.