AP Psychology Flashcards: Social Cognitive Neurological Factors In Learning

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Social Cognitive Neurological Factors In Learning, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the brain region involved in language comprehension.

Answer: Wernicke's area. Language understanding center in the temporal lobe.

Flashcard 2: Which brain part is involved in procedural memory and motor skills?

Answer: Cerebellum. Critical for learning automatic movements and habits.

Flashcard 3: What is the primary role of the frontal lobe?

Answer: Executive functions and decision-making. Higher-order thinking and behavioral regulation.

Flashcard 4: What is reinforcement in behaviorist theory?

Answer: A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior. Strengthens behavior through positive or negative consequences.

Flashcard 5: Define intrinsic motivation.

Answer: Motivation driven by internal rewards. Self-directed behavior driven by personal satisfaction.

Flashcard 6: What is the term for a decrease in response after repeated exposure?

Answer: Habituation. Adaptive response that filters out irrelevant stimuli.

Flashcard 7: What is the term for decreased response to repeated stimuli?

Answer: Habituation. Non-associative learning reducing neural sensitivity.

Flashcard 8: What is the definition of extrinsic motivation?

Answer: Motivation driven by external rewards. Behavior driven by external consequences or incentives.

Flashcard 9: Identify the process of acquiring and modifying knowledge and skills.

Answer: Learning. Fundamental process of behavioral and cognitive change.

Flashcard 10: State the role of mirror neurons in learning.

Answer: Mirror neurons facilitate imitation and empathy. Fire when observing actions, enabling social learning.

Flashcard 11: Which lobe of the brain is most associated with executive functions?

Answer: Frontal lobe. Controls planning, reasoning, and impulse control.

Flashcard 12: Which part of the brain is crucial for motor control and coordination?

Answer: Cerebellum. Also processes cognitive tasks and motor learning.

Flashcard 13: What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer: Processing sensory information. Integrates touch, spatial awareness, and attention.

Flashcard 14: What is a schema in cognitive psychology?

Answer: A cognitive framework for organizing information. Mental structure that guides information processing.

Flashcard 15: Which learning theory emphasizes the role of mental processes?

Answer: Cognitive learning theory. Focuses on thinking, understanding, and problem-solving.

Flashcard 16: What is the term for learning that occurs without reinforcement?

Answer: Latent learning. Learning occurs but isn't immediately demonstrated.

Flashcard 17: What is the role of the thalamus in the brain?

Answer: Relays sensory information to the cortex. Gateway that filters information to appropriate brain areas.

Flashcard 18: What is the primary role of the frontal lobe?

Answer: Executive functions and decision-making. Higher-order thinking and behavioral regulation.

Flashcard 19: Which learning theory emphasizes the role of mental processes?

Answer: Cognitive learning theory. Focuses on thinking, understanding, and problem-solving.

Flashcard 20: Which brain part regulates autonomic functions like heart rate?

Answer: Medulla oblongata. Controls breathing and heart rate automatically.

Flashcard 21: Identify the psychologist who proposed the hierarchy of needs.

Answer: Abraham Maslow. Humanistic approach to motivation and self-actualization.

Flashcard 22: What neurotransmitter is involved in regulating mood and anxiety?

Answer: Serotonin. Influences mood, sleep, and emotional regulation.

Flashcard 23: Define the concept of self-efficacy.

Answer: Belief in one's ability to succeed. Confidence influences motivation and learning persistence.

Flashcard 24: What is the term for the brain's ability to change and adapt?

Answer: Neuroplasticity. Brain's capacity for learning-induced structural changes.

Flashcard 25: Identify the psychologist who proposed the hierarchy of needs.

Answer: Abraham Maslow. Humanistic approach to motivation and self-actualization.

Flashcard 26: What is the cognitive process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information?

Answer: Memory. Fundamental cognitive process underlying all learning.

Flashcard 27: What is the primary function of the amygdala?

Answer: Processing emotions. Fear center critical for emotional learning.

Flashcard 28: Identify the process of acquiring and modifying knowledge and skills.

Answer: Learning. Fundamental process of behavioral and cognitive change.

Flashcard 29: Which neurotransmitter is associated with reward and pleasure?

Answer: Dopamine. Key neurotransmitter in reinforcement learning.

Flashcard 30: Which part of the brain is primarily involved in language production?

Answer: Broca's area. Speech production center in the frontal lobe.

Flashcard 31: Identify the type of conditioning demonstrated by B.F. Skinner's experiments.

Answer: Operant conditioning. Learning through consequences, not just associations.

Flashcard 32: Which brain part regulates autonomic functions like heart rate?

Answer: Medulla oblongata. Controls breathing and heart rate automatically.

Flashcard 33: What neurotransmitter is involved in regulating mood and anxiety?

Answer: Serotonin. Influences mood, sleep, and emotional regulation.

Flashcard 34: What is observational learning?

Answer: Learning by observing others' behavior. Key component of Bandura's Social Learning Theory.

Flashcard 35: Which lobe of the brain is most associated with executive functions?

Answer: Frontal lobe. Controls planning, reasoning, and impulse control.

Flashcard 36: What is the cognitive process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information?

Answer: Memory. Fundamental cognitive process underlying all learning.

Flashcard 37: Define the term 'modeling' in social learning theory.

Answer: Imitation of others' behavior. Central mechanism in observational learning processes.

Flashcard 38: Define the concept of self-efficacy.

Answer: Belief in one's ability to succeed. Confidence influences motivation and learning persistence.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of acetylcholine in the brain?

Answer: Involved in learning and memory. Enhances attention and facilitates memory formation.

Flashcard 40: What is the role of the thalamus in the brain?

Answer: Relays sensory information to the cortex. Gateway that filters information to appropriate brain areas.

Flashcard 41: Define intrinsic motivation.

Answer: Motivation driven by internal rewards. Self-directed behavior driven by personal satisfaction.

Flashcard 42: Define cognitive dissonance.

Answer: Mental discomfort from holding contradictory beliefs. Motivates attitude change to reduce inconsistency.

Flashcard 43: Identify the psychologist known for the theory of operant conditioning.

Answer: B.F. Skinner. Pioneered behavior modification through reinforcement schedules.

Flashcard 44: Identify the type of conditioning demonstrated by B.F. Skinner's experiments.

Answer: Operant conditioning. Learning through consequences, not just associations.

Flashcard 45: Identify the brain region involved in language comprehension.

Answer: Wernicke's area. Language understanding center in the temporal lobe.

Flashcard 46: Which neurotransmitter is associated with reward and pleasure?

Answer: Dopamine. Key neurotransmitter in reinforcement learning.

Flashcard 47: Identify the brain structure crucial for forming new memories.

Answer: Hippocampus. Essential for converting short-term to long-term memories.

Flashcard 48: Define classical conditioning.

Answer: Learning through association of stimuli. Pavlovian conditioning creates automatic responses.

Flashcard 49: Identify the psychologist known for the theory of operant conditioning.

Answer: B.F. Skinner. Pioneered behavior modification through reinforcement schedules.

Flashcard 50: What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer: Processing sensory information. Integrates touch, spatial awareness, and attention.

Flashcard 51: What is the primary focus of the hippocampus?

Answer: Formation of new memories. Consolidates experiences into lasting memories.

Flashcard 52: What is the term for the brain's ability to change and adapt?

Answer: Neuroplasticity. Brain's capacity for learning-induced structural changes.

Flashcard 53: What is the term for learning through consequences of behavior?

Answer: Operant conditioning. Behavior shaped by rewards and punishments.

Flashcard 54: What is the term for learning through consequences of behavior?

Answer: Operant conditioning. Behavior shaped by rewards and punishments.

Flashcard 55: Identify the brain structure crucial for forming new memories.

Answer: Hippocampus. Essential for converting short-term to long-term memories.

Flashcard 56: What is the primary function of dopamine in the brain?

Answer: Regulates reward and pleasure systems. Motivates goal-seeking and reinforces learning behaviors.

Flashcard 57: State the role of mirror neurons in learning.

Answer: Mirror neurons facilitate imitation and empathy. Fire when observing actions, enabling social learning.

Flashcard 58: What is the term for a decrease in response after repeated exposure?

Answer: Habituation. Adaptive response that filters out irrelevant stimuli.

Flashcard 59: What is the primary function of dopamine in the brain?

Answer: Regulates reward and pleasure systems. Motivates goal-seeking and reinforces learning behaviors.

Flashcard 60: What is the role of acetylcholine in the brain?

Answer: Involved in learning and memory. Enhances attention and facilitates memory formation.

Flashcard 61: What theory did Albert Bandura develop?

Answer: Social Learning Theory. Emphasizes learning through observation and modeling.

Flashcard 62: What theory did Albert Bandura develop?

Answer: Social Learning Theory. Emphasizes learning through observation and modeling.

Flashcard 63: What is the definition of extrinsic motivation?

Answer: Motivation driven by external rewards. Behavior driven by external consequences or incentives.

Flashcard 64: Which part of the brain is primarily involved in language production?

Answer: Broca's area. Speech production center in the frontal lobe.

Flashcard 65: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with stress response?

Answer: Norepinephrine. Activates fight-or-flight responses during threats.

Flashcard 66: Define cognitive dissonance.

Answer: Mental discomfort from holding contradictory beliefs. Motivates attitude change to reduce inconsistency.

Flashcard 67: Which brain structure is involved in the processing of fear?

Answer: Amygdala. Evaluates threats and triggers fear responses.

Flashcard 68: Define classical conditioning.

Answer: Learning through association of stimuli. Pavlovian conditioning creates automatic responses.

Flashcard 69: What is observational learning?

Answer: Learning by observing others' behavior. Key component of Bandura's Social Learning Theory.

Flashcard 70: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with stress response?

Answer: Norepinephrine. Activates fight-or-flight responses during threats.

Flashcard 71: Which brain structure is involved in the processing of fear?

Answer: Amygdala. Evaluates threats and triggers fear responses.

Flashcard 72: Define the term 'modeling' in social learning theory.

Answer: Imitation of others' behavior. Central mechanism in observational learning processes.

Flashcard 73: Identify the psychologist known for the Bobo doll experiment.

Answer: Albert Bandura. Demonstrated observational learning with aggressive behavior.

Flashcard 74: What is the primary focus of the hippocampus?

Answer: Formation of new memories. Consolidates experiences into lasting memories.

Flashcard 75: Identify the psychologist known for the Bobo doll experiment.

Answer: Albert Bandura. Demonstrated observational learning with aggressive behavior.

Flashcard 76: What is reinforcement in behaviorist theory?

Answer: A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior. Strengthens behavior through positive or negative consequences.

Flashcard 77: Which brain part is involved in procedural memory and motor skills?

Answer: Cerebellum. Critical for learning automatic movements and habits.

Flashcard 78: What is the term for learning that occurs without reinforcement?

Answer: Latent learning. Learning occurs but isn't immediately demonstrated.

Flashcard 79: What is a schema in cognitive psychology?

Answer: A cognitive framework for organizing information. Mental structure that guides information processing.

Flashcard 80: What is the primary function of the amygdala?

Answer: Processing emotions. Fear center critical for emotional learning.

Flashcard 81: What is the term for decreased response to repeated stimuli?

Answer: Habituation. Non-associative learning reducing neural sensitivity.

Flashcard 82: Which part of the brain is crucial for motor control and coordination?

Answer: Cerebellum. Also processes cognitive tasks and motor learning.