Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

semantic networks

 
Mental representations of 
clusters of interconnected information 
(Module 20).

semantics

 
The rules governing the meaning of 
words and sentences (Module 25).

semicircular canals

 
Three tubelike structures 
of the inner ear containing fl uid that sloshes 
through them when the head moves, signaling 
rotational or angular movement to the brain 
(Module 12).

sensation

 
The activation of the sense organs by 
a source of physical energy (Module 10).

sensorimotor stage

 
According to Piaget, the 
stage from birth to 2 years, during which a 
child has little competence in representing the 
environment by using images, language, or 
other symbols (Module 37).

sensory (afferent) neurons

 
Neurons that 
transmit information from the perimeter of 
the body to the central nervous system 
(Module 8).

sensory area

 
The site in the brain of the tissue 
that corresponds to each of the senses, with the 
degree of sensitivity related to the amount of 
tissue (Module 9).

sensory memory

 
The initial, momentary stor-
age of information, lasting only an instant 
(Module 20).

sequential research

 
A research method that 
combines cross-sectional and longitudinal 
research by considering a number of different 
age groups and examining them at several 
points in time (Module 35).

sexism

 
Negative attitudes and behavior 
toward a person based on that person’s gender 
(Module 32).