COMP (2025) - Physiological Psychology

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes and integrates sensory input and motor output.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerve fibers outside the CNS; connects CNS to muscles, organs, and sensory receptors.

Mentalism (Aristotle)

Theory proposing that the nonmaterial mind (psyche) governs behavior.

Dualism (Descartes)

Theory proposing interaction of nonmaterial mind and physical brain.

Materialism (Darwin)

Theory stating behavior can be fully explained by physical brain processes.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprised of the brain and spinal cord; controls most bodily and mental functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All nerves outside CNS; carries sensory and motor signals between the body and CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Division of the PNS controlling voluntary muscles and conveying sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion); divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Division of ANS involved in arousal and stress responses ("fight-or-flight").

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Division of ANS involved in rest and digestion ("rest-and-digest").

Afferent Pathways

Sensory nerve pathways carrying information toward the CNS.

Efferent Pathways

Motor nerve pathways carrying information away from the CNS to muscles or glands.

Neuron Hypothesis (Cajal)

Concept that neurons are discrete cells forming the functional units of the nervous system.

Dendrites

Branching neuron structures receiving signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long neuron extension transmitting electrical signals to other neurons or muscles.

Sensory Neurons

Carry sensory information from receptors to CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carry commands from CNS to muscles.

Interneurons

Connect sensory and motor neurons; most numerous type.

Action Potential

Brief electrical impulse in neurons, triggered when voltage surpasses threshold at the axon hillock.

EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential)

Depolarization that makes a neuron more likely to fire an action potential.

IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential)

Hyperpolarization making a neuron less likely to fire.

Epilepsy

Neurological disorder with recurrent, excessive synchronized brain activity causing seizures.

Synapse

Junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

First neurotransmitter discovered; involved in muscle activation and autonomic functions.

Parkinson's Disease

Disorder caused by dopamine reduction; symptoms include motor impairment and tremors.

Psychopharmacology

Study of drug effects on brain function and behavior.

Blood-brain barrier

Protective brain barrier limiting substances that can enter brain tissue.

Agonist

Substance enhancing neurotransmitter activity.

Antagonist

Substance blocking or reducing neurotransmitter activity.

Neuropsychology

Study linking brain structure and behavior, often through assessment after injury.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Imaging technique producing detailed brain structural images.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

Functional imaging technique measuring brain metabolic activity.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Neurosurgical treatment using implanted electrodes to modulate brain activity.

Sensory Receptors

Cells converting external stimuli into neural signals.

Perception

Brain's interpretation of sensory input, creating subjective experience.

Topographic Map

Spatial neural representation of sensory input on the cortex.

Hierarchy of Motor Control

Spinal cord (reflexes), brainstem (automatic), cerebrum (voluntary).

Primary Motor Cortex

Cortical region responsible for precise voluntary movements.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis affecting all four limbs due to spinal injury.

Neural Tube

Embryonic structure forming the CNS (brain and spinal cord).

Neural Stem Cells

Multipotent cells generating neurons and glial cells during development.

Progenitor Cells

Cells derived from stem cells, further differentiate into neurons and glia.

Neuroblasts

Cells that differentiate into neurons.

Glioblasts

Cells that differentiate into glial cells.

Synaptogenesis

Formation of synapses between neurons during brain development.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ongoing ability to reorganize and adapt due to experience.

Critical Period

Developmental window when experiences have profound effects on brain maturation and functioning.

Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Brain Development

SES influences early experiences and opportunities, affecting brain development and cognition.

Hypothalamus

Brain structure regulating motivated behaviors and homeostasis.

Limbic System

Brain structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivated behavior.

Regulatory Behavior

Behaviors essential for survival (e.g., hunger, thirst).

Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRMs)

Automatic responses triggered by specific environmental stimuli.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological rhythms following a roughly 24-hour cycle.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

Brain structure controlling circadian rhythms.

REM Sleep

Sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movements and vivid dreaming.

Implicit Memory

Unconscious memory for skills and conditioned responses.

Explicit Memory

Conscious memory of facts and experiences.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to reorganize and adapt through experience.

Hippocampus

Brain region essential for consolidating explicit memories.

Sound Wave Frequency

Determines pitch; number of cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Amplitude

Intensity or loudness of sound waves, measured in decibels (dB).

Cochlea

Inner ear structure converting sound waves into neural signals.

Basilar Membrane

Structure in cochlea responding to specific sound frequencies.

Hair Cells

Auditory receptor cells in cochlea that convert sound vibrations into neural impulses.

Auditory Cortex

Region in temporal lobes processing auditory information; involved in perceiving speech and music.

Broca's Area

Brain region involved in language production and grammar; located in left frontal lobe.

Wernicke's Area

Brain region involved in language comprehension; located in left temporal lobe.

Music and Language Evolution

Both evolved to facilitate communication and social bonding; rely on overlapping brain regions.

Association Cortex

Areas of cortex integrating multiple types of sensory and motor information.

Prefrontal Cortex

Region crucial for planning complex cognitive behavior and decision-making.

Cell Assembly

Groups of interconnected neurons that represent thoughts or memories (Hebb's theory).