Psychology Key Concepts: Neuroscience,
Development, and Therapy WGU Velocity
Vault: OA Challenge Drills, PA Rubric
Breakdowns, Competency Acceleration &
Power Study Blueprint
Description
The WGU Velocity Vault is a high-impact academic
success resource designed specifically for students at
Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
move through courses with greater speed, stronger
understanding, and a more strategic approach to
learning. Built around WGU’s competency-based model,
this resource is designed to help students transform
scattered studying into a focused and results-driven
system that supports both academic performance and
long-term learning confidence.
This is not a traditional study guide filled with passive
notes and generic summaries. The Velocity Vault is
designed as a complete academic performance
framework that combines application-focused practice,
,competency-based preparation, assessment strategy
development, structured revision systems, and
productivity-focused learning methods. It is specifically
created for students who want to study smarter,
improve efficiency, and approach assessments with a
clear sense of direction and control.
Whether you are preparing for an Objective
Assessment, working through a complex Performance
Assessment, or trying to stay consistent in WGU’s self-
paced learning environment, this guide is built to help
you stay organized, confident, and academically
productive.
Action Potential
The firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than
the charge outside.
Altruism
Behavior that is unselfish and may even be detrimental but which benefits others.
Amnesia
Loss of memory. Usually only a partial loss such as for a period of time or biographical
information.
Analysis
See Psychoanalysis.
Anxiety
, The physiological and psychological reaction to an expected danger, whether real or imagined.
Aphasia
The impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a
result of brain damage.
Arousal Theory
The theory stating that we are motivated by our innate desire to maintain an optimal level of
arousal.
Assimilation
Incorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas.
Associations
The phenomenon in learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is
paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out.
Attachment
The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary caregiver.
Attribution
An idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior.
Authoritarian [parents]
Parenting style focused on excessive rules, rigid belief systems, and the expectation of
unquestioned obedience.
Authoritative [parents]
Parenting style focused on setting reasonable rules and expectations while encouraging
communication and independence.
Availability Heuristic
A rule of thumb stating that information more readily available in our memory is more
important than information not as easily accessible.
Aversion Therapy
A type of behavioral treatment where an aversive stimuli is paired with a negative behavior in
hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid the aversive stimuli.
Development, and Therapy WGU Velocity
Vault: OA Challenge Drills, PA Rubric
Breakdowns, Competency Acceleration &
Power Study Blueprint
Description
The WGU Velocity Vault is a high-impact academic
success resource designed specifically for students at
Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
move through courses with greater speed, stronger
understanding, and a more strategic approach to
learning. Built around WGU’s competency-based model,
this resource is designed to help students transform
scattered studying into a focused and results-driven
system that supports both academic performance and
long-term learning confidence.
This is not a traditional study guide filled with passive
notes and generic summaries. The Velocity Vault is
designed as a complete academic performance
framework that combines application-focused practice,
,competency-based preparation, assessment strategy
development, structured revision systems, and
productivity-focused learning methods. It is specifically
created for students who want to study smarter,
improve efficiency, and approach assessments with a
clear sense of direction and control.
Whether you are preparing for an Objective
Assessment, working through a complex Performance
Assessment, or trying to stay consistent in WGU’s self-
paced learning environment, this guide is built to help
you stay organized, confident, and academically
productive.
Action Potential
The firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than
the charge outside.
Altruism
Behavior that is unselfish and may even be detrimental but which benefits others.
Amnesia
Loss of memory. Usually only a partial loss such as for a period of time or biographical
information.
Analysis
See Psychoanalysis.
Anxiety
, The physiological and psychological reaction to an expected danger, whether real or imagined.
Aphasia
The impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a
result of brain damage.
Arousal Theory
The theory stating that we are motivated by our innate desire to maintain an optimal level of
arousal.
Assimilation
Incorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas.
Associations
The phenomenon in learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is
paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out.
Attachment
The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary caregiver.
Attribution
An idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior.
Authoritarian [parents]
Parenting style focused on excessive rules, rigid belief systems, and the expectation of
unquestioned obedience.
Authoritative [parents]
Parenting style focused on setting reasonable rules and expectations while encouraging
communication and independence.
Availability Heuristic
A rule of thumb stating that information more readily available in our memory is more
important than information not as easily accessible.
Aversion Therapy
A type of behavioral treatment where an aversive stimuli is paired with a negative behavior in
hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid the aversive stimuli.
