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Definition Classical conditioning is a psychological learning process where an individual learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a learned response. It was first described by Ivan Pavlov and involves the pairing of two ...

Definition Operant conditioning is a learning process in which an individual’s behavior is modified by its consequences. It occurs when a person or animal learns to associate specific actions with rewards (reinforcements) or punishments, leading them to repeat...

Definition The cerebellum is a part of the brain located at the back of the head, below the cerebral cortex. It plays a crucial role in controlling voluntary movements, balance, posture, and coordination. The cerebellum helps fine-tune motor skills, ensuring t...

Definition The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the front part of the brain's frontal lobe, located just behind the forehead. It plays a crucial role in higher-order functions such as planning, decision-making, problem-solving, regulating emotions, controlling impul...

Definition The hindbrain is a region at the base of the brain responsible for controlling vital life-sustaining functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also plays a key role in coordinating movement, balance, and posture. The hindbrain...

Definition The brainstem is the lower part of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. It plays a crucial role in controlling vital bodily functions, such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Often referred to as the "lifeline" of the...

Definition The medulla oblongata, often referred to simply as the medulla, is a part of the brainstem located at the base of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord. It plays a crucial role in controlling vital life-sustaining functions such as breathin...

Definition The pons is a region in the brainstem, located between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain. It acts as a communication hub, connecting various parts of the brain to facilitate coordination of motor movements, sensory information processing, and r...

Definition Skepticism is a mindset or approach characterized by questioning, doubting, or critically examining claims, ideas, or beliefs before accepting them as true. It involves seeking evidence, logical reasoning, and rational analysis to evaluate whether s...

Definition Rationality refers to the ability to think clearly, make decisions, and solve problems based on logic, reason, and evidence rather than emotion or unfounded beliefs. It involves analyzing information systematically, considering the consequences of d...

Definition Empiricism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes knowledge gained through experience, observation, and experimentation rather than relying solely on intuition, reasoning, or theoretical assumptions. It asserts that true knowledge comes from se...

Definition Rationality is the approach of using logic, reason, and systematic thinking to understand or explain phenomena. It relies on abstract reasoning, principles, and theoretical frameworks to arrive at conclusions. Empiricism, on the other hand, emphasiz...

Definition Structuralism is an early school of thought that focuses on analyzing the structure of the human mind by breaking down mental processes into their most basic components. It emphasizes understanding how sensations, feelings, and images combine to for...

Definition Functionalism (psychology) is a theoretical perspective that focuses on understanding mental processes and behaviors in terms of their adaptive functions and purposes. Unlike structuralism, which emphasizes breaking down the mind into its basic comp...

Definition Introspection refers to the process of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in order to gain a deeper understanding of oneself. It involves turning inward to reflect on why we feel or act a certain way, often with the goal of incr...

Definition Behaviorism is a psychological approach that focuses on understanding how people learn and behave by observing their interactions with their environment. It suggests that behavior is shaped by external factors, such as rewards, punishments, and rein...

Definition Psychoanalytic theory is a psychological framework developed by Sigmund Freud that focuses on understanding human behavior through the exploration of unconscious desires, thoughts, and experiences. According to this theory, much of what influences o...

Definition Gestalt Psychology is an approach in psychology that focuses on how humans perceive wholes rather than individual parts. It emphasizes that the mind organizes sensory information into meaningful patterns or structures, allowing us to make sense of o...

Definition Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical approach to understanding the human mind and behavior through the lens of natural selection. It posits that many psychological traits—such as memory, perception, and language—are adaptations that evolved to s...

Definition Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. It views the mind as an information processor, similar to a computer, emphasizing how individuals...