Biological Psychology Chapter 11 (Kalat 14th Ed.)

behavioral activation system (BAS)

left brain hemispheric activity marked by low to moderate autonomic arousal and a tendency to approach, which could characterize either happiness or anger

behavioral inhibition system (BIS)

right brain hemispheric activity, which increases attention and arousal, inhibits action, and stimulates emotions such as fear and disgust

facial-feedback hypothesis

a notion that the position of facial features influences emotions

limbic system

interlinked structures that form a border around the brainstem

pure autonomic failure

condition when output from the autonomic nervous system to the body fails

amygdala

temporal lobe structure important for evaluating emotional information

bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

a set of neurons that connect to the amygdala

benzodiazepines

a class of anti-anxiety drugs

dual-hormone hypothesis

aggressive behavior relates to facilitation by testosterone and inhibition by the hormone cortisol

GABAA receptor

receptor complex structure that includes a site that binds GABA as well as sites that modify the sensitivity of the GABA site

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)

serotonin's main metabolite

monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)

a deficiency MAOA increases the build-up of serotonin inside neurons

panic disorder

condition marked by frequent periods of anxiety and rapid breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, and trembling

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

a condition resulting from a severe traumatic experience, leading to a long-lasting state of frequent distressing recollections (flashbacks) and nightmares about the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders of it, and exaggerated arousal in response to noises and other stimuli

startle reflex

response that one makes after a sudden, unexpected loud noise or similar sudden stimulus

turnover

release and resynthesis of a neurotransmitter

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

chemical released from the anterior pituitary gland, which enhances metabolic activity and elevates blood levels of sugar

antibodies

Y-shaped proteins that attach to particular kinds of antigens

antigens

surface proteins on a cell that identify the cell as your own

behavioral medicine

field that includes the effects of diet, smoking, exercise, stressful experiences, and other behaviors on health

cortisol

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that elevates blood sugar and enhances metabolism

cytokine

small proteins that combat infections and communicate with the brain to elicit appropriate behaviors

enteric nervous system

a set of neurons that control digestion, stretching from the esophagus to the rectum

general adaptation syndrome

a generalized response to stress

HPA axis

the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex

immune system

structures that protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other intruders

leukocyte

white blood cells

prostaglandins

chemicals the immune system delivers to the hypothalamus, causing a fever

psychoneuroimmunology

study of the ways in which experiences, especially stressful ones, alter the immune system and how the immune system influences the central nervous system

resilience

ability to recover well from atraumatic experience

stress

the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it; also defined as events that are interpreted as threatening