A cross-sectional study is a type of observational research that analyzes data from a population, or a representative subset, at a specific point in time. It’s used to examine the relationship between different variables and does not involve manipulation or control over variables.
While assimilation deals with keeping existing knowledge and schemas intact and finding a new place to store information, accommodation involves actually changing one’s existing knowledge of a topic (Tan et al., 2017).
An amygdala hijack describes a very fast, intense emotional reaction that is disproportionate to the situation — one in which the brain’s emotional machinery (the amygdala) essentially “takes over” before our thinking brain can intervene.
Antidepressants are medications primarily used to treat depression, though they can also help manage anxiety disorders and other conditions.
Individualistic cultures emphasize the needs and desires of individuals over those of the group and the relationships of individuals with respect to other individuals.
Collectivism is the tendency, on the individual and societal level, to view oneself as interdependent and a member of a group rather than as an independent being.
Wernicke’s area is a structure of the brain that is believed to be involved in language comprehension, specifically the comprehension of speech sounds. It is also considered to be the receptive language center of the brain.
Lev Vygotsky’s theory of child development, known as the sociocultural theory, emphasizes the importance of social interaction and cultural context in learning and cognitive development.
Vygotsky proposed the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which is the gap between what a child can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable person. He believed learning happens within this zone.
Additionally, Vygotsky emphasized the importance of language in cognitive development, asserting that language is not just a tool for communication, but also a means of shaping thought.
He argued that learning is a social process, and cognitive development is largely a result of social interactions. This perspective contrasts with Jean Piaget’s theory, which suggests that cognitive development primarily comes from individual explorations.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter primarily found in the brain, intestines, and blood. In psychology, serotonin plays a significant role in mood regulation, emotional well-being, sleep, appetite, and cognitive functions. Abnormalities in serotonin levels or its neural pathways are often associated with mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
Role strain occurs when the demands of multiple roles conflict with one another, causing stress as people struggle to fulfill their various social responsibilities.