Adolescent Psychology Chapter 3 Vocab

Study for chapter 3 test

41 cards   |   Total Attempts: 188
  

Cards In This Set

Front Back
Neurons
Nerve cells, which are the nervous system's basic units
Myelination
The process by which the axon portion of the neuron becomes covered and insulated with a layer of fat cells, which increases the speed and efficiency of information processing in the nervous system
Synapses
Gaps between neurons, where connections between the axon and dendrites occur
Corpus callosum
A large bundle of axon fibers that connect the brain's left and right hemispheres
Prefrontal cortex
The highest level of the brain's frontal lobes that is involved in reasoning, decision making and self control.
Amygdala
A portion of the brain's limbic system that is the seat of emotions such as anger.
Schema
A mental concept or framework that is used in organizing and interpreting information
Assimilation
New information into existing knowledge
Accommodation
Adjustment of a schema due to new information
Equilibration
In piagets theory, explains how individuals shift from one state of thought to the next... once the conflict is solved equilibration is met
Sensorimotor stage
Birth-2 years, coordinating sensory experiences with physical actions
Preoperational stage
2-7 years, children begin to represent their world with words, images and drawings
Concrete operational stage
7-11 years, children can preform operations. logical reasoning replaces intuitive thought as long as reasoning can be applied to concrete examples
Formal operational stage
11-15 years, abstract, idealistic, logical thought
Hypothetical deductive reasoning
Piaget, childs ability, in formal operation stage, to develop hypotheses, then systematically come to a conclusion