AP Psychology Flashcards: Emotion

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Emotion, 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: What is the primary focus of positive psychology?

Answer: Positive psychology focuses on well-being and positive emotions. Studies what makes life worth living.

Flashcard 2: Which neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure and reward?

Answer: Dopamine. The 'feel good' brain chemical.

Flashcard 3: What is the impact of chronic stress on emotion?

Answer: Chronic stress can lead to emotional exhaustion. Burnout from prolonged emotional strain.

Flashcard 4: Which brain structure is primarily associated with fear?

Answer: The amygdala. The brain's fear center.

Flashcard 5: What is the primary function of mirror neurons in emotion?

Answer: Mirror neurons are involved in empathy and understanding others' emotions. Help us feel what others feel.

Flashcard 6: What is 'emotional resilience'?

Answer: Emotional resilience is the ability to adapt to stressful situations. Bouncing back from emotional challenges.

Flashcard 7: Identify the primary function of the hypothalamus in emotion.

Answer: The hypothalamus regulates emotional responses and homeostasis. Controls the body's emotional and survival responses.

Flashcard 8: Describe the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory of emotion.

Answer: Emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling. We interpret physical arousal with context clues.

Flashcard 9: What is the main idea behind the opponent-process theory of emotion?

Answer: Emotions are paired, and the presence of one suppresses its opposite. Like happiness-sadness balancing each other out.

Flashcard 10: What does the Cannon-Bard theory propose about emotion?

Answer: Emotion and physiological responses occur simultaneously. Both happen at once, not one causing the other.

Flashcard 11: Define the concept of 'emotional regulation.'

Answer: Emotional regulation involves strategies to influence one's emotional experience. Managing how you feel and express emotions.

Flashcard 12: What is the facial feedback hypothesis?

Answer: Facial expressions can influence emotional experiences. Smiling can actually make you feel happier.

Flashcard 13: Define 'emotional contagion.'

Answer: Emotional contagion is the phenomenon of sharing and catching emotions. Emotions spread from person to person automatically.

Flashcard 14: What is the effect of high levels of arousal on performance?

Answer: High arousal can impair performance on complex tasks. Too much stress overwhelms thinking ability.

Flashcard 15: What is the role of the amygdala in emotion?

Answer: The amygdala processes emotional reactions, especially fear. The brain's alarm system for threats.

Flashcard 16: Define the concept of 'emotional regulation.'

Answer: Emotional regulation involves strategies to influence one's emotional experience. Managing how you feel and express emotions.

Flashcard 17: What is the facial feedback hypothesis?

Answer: Facial expressions can influence emotional experiences. Smiling can actually make you feel happier.

Flashcard 18: What is the concept of 'emotional labor'?

Answer: Emotional labor involves managing emotions in professional settings. Controlling emotions as part of your job.

Flashcard 19: What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in emotion?

Answer: The prefrontal cortex is involved in regulating emotions. Controls and manages emotional responses.

Flashcard 20: What is the concept of 'emotional labor'?

Answer: Emotional labor involves managing emotions in professional settings. Controlling emotions as part of your job.

Flashcard 21: What does the Cannon-Bard theory propose about emotion?

Answer: Emotion and physiological responses occur simultaneously. Both happen at once, not one causing the other.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary focus of positive psychology?

Answer: Positive psychology focuses on well-being and positive emotions. Studies what makes life worth living.

Flashcard 23: What is the relationship between emotion and motivation?

Answer: Emotions can drive behavior and influence motivation. Emotions energize and direct our actions.

Flashcard 24: What is an example of a physiological response to emotion?

Answer: Increased heart rate. How the body shows emotional activation.

Flashcard 25: Define emotional intelligence.

Answer: Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions. Skills for handling emotions effectively.

Flashcard 26: What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Answer: Optimal performance occurs at moderate levels of arousal. Too little or too much arousal hurts performance.

Flashcard 27: What is the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Answer: Emotion is the result of physiological responses to stimuli. We feel emotions because our body reacts first.

Flashcard 28: How does the limbic system relate to emotion?

Answer: The limbic system is involved in emotional processing. The brain's emotional processing center.

Flashcard 29: Identify the emotion primarily associated with the hormone oxytocin.

Answer: Oxytocin is associated with bonding and trust. The 'love hormone' for social connection.

Flashcard 30: What is the role of the insula in emotion?

Answer: The insula processes emotions related to bodily states. Connects physical sensations to emotions.

Flashcard 31: What is the role of the amygdala in emotion?

Answer: The amygdala processes emotional reactions, especially fear. The brain's alarm system for threats.

Flashcard 32: What is an example of a physiological response to emotion?

Answer: Increased heart rate. How the body shows emotional activation.

Flashcard 33: What is the relationship between emotion and motivation?

Answer: Emotions can drive behavior and influence motivation. Emotions energize and direct our actions.

Flashcard 34: What is the primary function of mirror neurons in emotion?

Answer: Mirror neurons are involved in empathy and understanding others' emotions. Help us feel what others feel.

Flashcard 35: Describe the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory of emotion.

Answer: Emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling. We interpret physical arousal with context clues.

Flashcard 36: Identify a tool used to measure emotional intelligence.

Answer: The Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i). A popular assessment of emotional skills.

Flashcard 37: What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in emotion?

Answer: The prefrontal cortex is involved in regulating emotions. Controls and manages emotional responses.

Flashcard 38: Define 'alexithymia.'

Answer: Alexithymia is difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions. Being emotionally numb or disconnected.

Flashcard 39: What is the main idea behind the opponent-process theory of emotion?

Answer: Emotions are paired, and the presence of one suppresses its opposite. Like happiness-sadness balancing each other out.

Flashcard 40: What is the main effect of serotonin on mood?

Answer: Serotonin helps regulate mood and is linked to well-being. Low levels linked to depression and sadness.

Flashcard 41: What is the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Answer: Emotion is the result of physiological responses to stimuli. We feel emotions because our body reacts first.

Flashcard 42: What is Ekman's theory regarding basic emotions?

Answer: Ekman proposed six basic emotions with universal facial expressions. These emotions look the same across all cultures.

Flashcard 43: What is 'emotional resilience'?

Answer: Emotional resilience is the ability to adapt to stressful situations. Bouncing back from emotional challenges.

Flashcard 44: What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Answer: Optimal performance occurs at moderate levels of arousal. Too little or too much arousal hurts performance.

Flashcard 45: What is the impact of chronic stress on emotion?

Answer: Chronic stress can lead to emotional exhaustion. Burnout from prolonged emotional strain.

Flashcard 46: What is the polygraph test based on?

Answer: The polygraph measures physiological responses to detect deception. Assumes lying causes detectable body changes.

Flashcard 47: Identify a tool used to measure emotional intelligence.

Answer: The Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i). A popular assessment of emotional skills.

Flashcard 48: Define 'emotional contagion.'

Answer: Emotional contagion is the phenomenon of sharing and catching emotions. Emotions spread from person to person automatically.

Flashcard 49: Identify the emotion primarily associated with the hormone oxytocin.

Answer: Oxytocin is associated with bonding and trust. The 'love hormone' for social connection.

Flashcard 50: Identify a physiological marker of stress.

Answer: Increased cortisol levels. The stress hormone that rises during pressure.

Flashcard 51: Define catharsis in the context of emotion.

Answer: Catharsis is the release of emotional tension. Releasing pent-up feelings for relief.

Flashcard 52: Which brain structure is primarily associated with fear?

Answer: The amygdala. The brain's fear center.

Flashcard 53: List Ekman's six basic emotions.

Answer: Happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise. The core emotions recognized worldwide.

Flashcard 54: What does the term 'affect' refer to in psychology?

Answer: Affect refers to the experience of feeling or emotion. The observable expression of emotion.

Flashcard 55: What is Ekman's theory regarding basic emotions?

Answer: Ekman proposed six basic emotions with universal facial expressions. These emotions look the same across all cultures.

Flashcard 56: Define 'empathy.'

Answer: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Feeling with others, not just for them.

Flashcard 57: What is the main focus of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions?

Answer: Positive emotions broaden thinking and build resources. Good feelings expand creativity and growth.

Flashcard 58: Define 'alexithymia.'

Answer: Alexithymia is difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions. Being emotionally numb or disconnected.

Flashcard 59: What does the term 'affect' refer to in psychology?

Answer: Affect refers to the experience of feeling or emotion. The observable expression of emotion.

Flashcard 60: Identify a physiological marker of stress.

Answer: Increased cortisol levels. The stress hormone that rises during pressure.

Flashcard 61: Which neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure and reward?

Answer: Dopamine. The 'feel good' brain chemical.

Flashcard 62: Define emotional intelligence.

Answer: Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions. Skills for handling emotions effectively.

Flashcard 63: Identify the primary function of the hypothalamus in emotion.

Answer: The hypothalamus regulates emotional responses and homeostasis. Controls the body's emotional and survival responses.

Flashcard 64: How does the limbic system relate to emotion?

Answer: The limbic system is involved in emotional processing. The brain's emotional processing center.

Flashcard 65: Which emotion is primarily associated with the hormone adrenaline?

Answer: Fear and excitement. The fight-or-flight hormone for intense emotions.

Flashcard 66: What is the difference between mood and emotion?

Answer: Mood is longer-lasting and less intense than emotion. Emotions are brief; moods linger longer.

Flashcard 67: What is the effect of high levels of arousal on performance?

Answer: High arousal can impair performance on complex tasks. Too much stress overwhelms thinking ability.

Flashcard 68: What is the role of the insula in emotion?

Answer: The insula processes emotions related to bodily states. Connects physical sensations to emotions.

Flashcard 69: What role does the autonomic nervous system play in emotion?

Answer: It regulates physiological responses to emotional stimuli. Controls automatic body responses to feelings.

Flashcard 70: List Ekman's six basic emotions.

Answer: Happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise. The core emotions recognized worldwide.

Flashcard 71: What is the main focus of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions?

Answer: Positive emotions broaden thinking and build resources. Good feelings expand creativity and growth.

Flashcard 72: Define 'empathy.'

Answer: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Feeling with others, not just for them.

Flashcard 73: What is the main effect of serotonin on mood?

Answer: Serotonin helps regulate mood and is linked to well-being. Low levels linked to depression and sadness.

Flashcard 74: What is the difference between mood and emotion?

Answer: Mood is longer-lasting and less intense than emotion. Emotions are brief; moods linger longer.

Flashcard 75: What is the polygraph test based on?

Answer: The polygraph measures physiological responses to detect deception. Assumes lying causes detectable body changes.

Flashcard 76: Which emotion is primarily associated with the hormone adrenaline?

Answer: Fear and excitement. The fight-or-flight hormone for intense emotions.

Flashcard 77: Define catharsis in the context of emotion.

Answer: Catharsis is the release of emotional tension. Releasing pent-up feelings for relief.

Flashcard 78: What role does the autonomic nervous system play in emotion?

Answer: It regulates physiological responses to emotional stimuli. Controls automatic body responses to feelings.