Core biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches to behavior from the IB Psychology syllabus. Front: the term or study. Back: a plain-language definition.
40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- Neuron
- A specialized nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system.
- Neurotransmitter
- A chemical messenger that carries signals across the synapse between two neurons.
- Synapse
- The small gap between two neurons across which neurotransmitters pass to transmit a signal.
- Hormone
- A chemical messenger released into the bloodstream by glands that influences behavior and body function.
- Localization of brain function
- The theory that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific cognitive functions or behaviors.
- Amygdala
- A brain structure central to processing emotions, especially fear.
- Hippocampus
- A brain structure critical for forming and consolidating new long-term memories.
- Prefrontal cortex
- A brain region involved in planning, decision making, and regulating behavior.
- Neuroplasticity
- The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
- Twin studies
- Research comparing identical and fraternal twins to estimate the relative influence of genetics and environment on behavior.
- fMRI
- A brain imaging technique that measures changes in blood flow to show which brain areas are active during a task.
- Schema
- A mental framework of organized knowledge that helps a person interpret new information.
- Multi-store model of memory
- A model proposing that memory flows through separate sensory, short-term, and long-term stores.
- Working memory model
- A model of short-term memory made up of separate components that temporarily hold and manipulate different types of information.
- Reconstructive memory
- The idea that memories are actively rebuilt at recall and can be distorted by schemas or new information.
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