SACE Stage 2 Psychology key terms

A learning process in which the likelihood of a behaviour changes because that behaviour is followed by a consequence, such as a reward or punishment.

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus comes to trigger a reflexive response after being repeatedly paired with a stimulus that already produces that response.

A stimulus that naturally and automatically produces a reflexive response without any prior learning, such as food causing salivation.

A learned reaction that occurs to a previously neutral stimulus after that stimulus has been paired repeatedly with an unconditioned stimulus.

Adding a desirable consequence after a behaviour, which increases the chance that the behaviour will be repeated in similar situations.

Removing or avoiding an unpleasant stimulus after a behaviour, which increases the likelihood that the behaviour will occur again.

A consequence that follows a behaviour and reduces the likelihood of that behaviour recurring, either by adding something unpleasant or removing something desirable.

The gradual weakening and disappearance of a learned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus or reinforcement.

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest, showing that the original learning was not fully erased.

Acquiring or changing a behaviour by watching others and noting the consequences they experience, rather than through direct reinforcement of one's own actions.

Demonstrating a behaviour so that an observer can learn it, often used deliberately in therapy or teaching to show a desired skill.

An increase in a behaviour after observing someone else receive a reward for that behaviour, without the observer being reinforced directly.

A limited-capacity system that temporarily holds and manipulates information needed for ongoing tasks such as reasoning, comprehension and problem solving.

The process of converting sensory information into a form that can be stored in memory, influenced by attention, elaboration and organisation of the material.

The relatively permanent store of information that can hold very large amounts of material for extended periods, including facts, skills and personal experiences.

The process of locating and bringing stored information back into conscious awareness, which can be aided by cues and organised retrieval practice.

A mental framework built from past experience that organises knowledge and guides how new information is interpreted, stored and recalled.

Interpreting new experiences by fitting them into an existing mental framework without substantially changing that framework.

Modifying an existing mental framework, or creating a new one, because new information does not fit what is already known.

A chemical released by a neuron that carries a signal across a synapse to influence the activity of another neuron or target cell.

The small gap between two neurons where chemical signals are released and received, allowing communication between nerve cells.

The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by the neuron that released it, which removes the chemical from the synapse and ends its effect.

A psychological and physiological response to demands or threats that are perceived as exceeding a person's ability to cope with them.

A rapid bodily reaction to a perceived threat, involving increased heart rate, faster breathing and hormone release, preparing the person to confront or escape danger.

The thoughts and behaviours a person uses to manage internal or external demands that are judged to be stressful or overwhelming.

Changing one's behaviour or expressed beliefs to match the norms or expectations of a group, often because of real or imagined social pressure.

Following a direct order or instruction from an authority figure, even when the requested action conflicts with one's own judgement.

Shared, informal rules within a group that specify how members are expected to behave in particular situations and that guide social behaviour.

The extent to which a measurement or research procedure produces consistent results when repeated under similar conditions.

The extent to which a study or measurement accurately assesses what it claims to measure and supports the conclusions drawn from it.

A precise statement of how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study, allowing others to replicate the procedure.

The factor that the researcher deliberately changes or manipulates in an experiment to observe its effect on another variable.

The factor that is measured in an experiment and that is expected to change as a result of manipulating the independent variable.

An uncontrolled factor that varies systematically with the independent variable and could therefore distort the observed relationship between variables.

Assigning participants to experimental conditions by chance, so that each person has an equal probability of being placed in any group.

Gaining participants' voluntary agreement to take part after giving them a clear explanation of the study's purpose, procedures, risks and their right to withdraw.

Explaining the true aims, methods and findings of a study to participants afterwards, and addressing any concerns or distress it caused.

Established principles that researchers must follow to protect participants, including consent, confidentiality, avoidance of harm and honest reporting of results.