Essential introductory terms for the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section of the MCAT. Focus on basic definitions and core concepts in psychology and sociology.
20 cards
Front
Define 'Nature vs. Nurture'
Back
The debate concerning the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences and environment (nurture) in determining or causing differences in physical and behavioral traits.
Front
Define 'Structuralism' (Psychology)
Back
An early school of psychology pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener that used introspection to analyze the basic elements of conscious experience, breaking the mind down into structures.
Front
Define 'Functionalism' (Psychology)
Back
A school of psychology inspired by William James that focused on how mental activities help an organism adapt to its environment, emphasizing the function of consciousness rather than its structure.
Front
Define 'Neurotransmitter'
Back
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (nerve cell) to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell. Examples include dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.
Front
Define 'Sensation' vs. 'Perception'
Back
Sensation is the process of detecting physical energy from the environment and encoding it as neural signals (e.g., seeing light). Perception is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events.
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