Unit 1 Flashcards

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on various psychology topics.

Heredity

Genetic traits passed down from parents to offspring.

Environmental Factors

Influences such as upbringing, culture, and life experiences.

Nature

Emphasizes genetic inheritance and biological predispositions.

Nurture

Refers to environmental influences such as parenting styles, education, and social interactions.

Evolutionary Perspective

Explains human traits based on adaptation and natural selection.

Eugenics

The study of improving genetic qualities in populations.

Twin Studies

Examine genetic vs. environmental influences by comparing identical and fraternal twins.

Family Studies

Investigate genetic influence by analyzing relatives across generations.

Adoption Studies

Compare adopted children to their biological and adoptive parents to distinguish genetic from environmental influences.

Nervous System

The body's communication network that transmits signals between different parts.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Includes the brain and spinal cord; acts as the control center for processing and sending information.

Brain

Responsible for cognition, emotions, and regulation of bodily functions.

Spinal Cord

Connects the brain to the rest of the body and facilitates reflexes.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Network of nerves outside the CNS, connecting it to muscles and organs.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information to the CNS.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary functions like heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activates fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Promotes rest and digestion.

Neurons

Cells responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cells

Provide support, insulation, and nutrients for neurons.

Reflex Arc

Automatic response pathway involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Sensory Neurons

Transmit signals from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carry commands from the CNS to muscles for movement.

Interneurons

Facilitate communication between sensory and motor neurons.

Neural Transmission

Process of neurons sending signals via electrical impulses and neurotransmitters.

All-or-Nothing Principle

A neuron either fires at full strength or not at all.

Depolarization

Charge shift leading to action potential.

Refractory Period

Recovery time after a neuron fires.

Resting Potential

Baseline charge when inactive.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters after signal transmission.

Threshold

Minimum stimulus required for an action potential.

Sclerosis

Autoimmune disease that damages the myelin sheath of neurons.

Myasthenia Gravis

Causes muscle weakness due to impaired acetylcholine receptor function.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse.

Excitatory

Increases activity.

Inhibitory

Reduces Activity

Dopamine

Reward, motivation; linked to Parkinson’s (low), schizophrenia (high).

Serotonin

Mood, sleep regulation; low levels linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

Alertness, fight-or-flight response.

Glutamate

Learning and memory; primary excitatory neurotransmitter.

GABA

Reduces neural excitability; primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Endorphins

Pain relief, pleasure.

Substance P

Pain perception and inflammation.

Acetylcholine

Muscle movement, memory; linked to Alzheimer’s.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream.

Adrenaline

Increases heart rate, prepares body for action.

Leptin

Signals satiety, regulates hunger.

Ghrelin

Stimulates hunger and food intake.

Melatonin

Regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Oxytocin

Promotes bonding and trust.

Agonists

Enhance neurotransmitter effects.

Antagonists

Block neurotransmitter activity.

Stimulants

Increase energy and alertness.

Depressants

Slow neural activity, promote relaxation.

Hallucinogens

Alter perception and cognition.

Opioids

Reduce pain, induce euphoria.

Tolerance

Increasing doses needed for the same effect.

Addiction

Dependence due to altered brain chemistry.

Brain Stem

Controls basic life functions (breathing, heart rate, digestion).

Medulla

Regulates vital autonomic processes like heartbeat and respiration.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Maintains alertness and regulates sleep-wake cycles.

The Brain's Reward Center

Involves dopamine pathways that influence pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement, balance, and fine motor skills.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking, problem-solving, and sensation processing.

Limbic System

Regulates emotions, memory, and motivation.

Thalamus

Acts as the brain’s relay station for sensory information (excluding smell).

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis by regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormones.

Pituitary Gland

Controls other endocrine glands and hormone release.

Hippocampus

Essential for forming and storing long-term memories.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right hemispheres, allowing communication between them.

Occipital Lobes

Process visual information (color, motion, depth perception).

Temporal Lobes

Handle auditory processing, language comprehension, and memory storage.

Parietal Lobes

Interpret sensory input like touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Frontal Lobes

Control reasoning, planning, movement, problem-solving, and impulse control.

Split Brain Research

Studies individuals with a severed corpus callosum, revealing hemispheric specialization.

Broca's Area

Controls speech production and language processing.

Wernicke's Area

Responsible for language comprehension.

Aphasia

Language impairment due to brain damage.

Cortex Specialization

Different brain regions specialize in different cognitive and motor functions.

Brain's Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

Brain Plasticity

The brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize after injury or learning new tasks.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Measures brain wave activity; useful for studying sleep and epilepsy.

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Measures brain activity based on blood flow and oxygen consumption.

Case Studies

Examining individuals with brain injuries or abnormalities to understand functions.

Lesioning

Experimentally damaging brain tissue to study its effects on behavior.

Consciousness

Awareness of surroundings, thoughts, and internal processes.

Circadian Rhythm

Biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycles over 24 hours.

Shift Work

Work schedules that disrupt natural circadian rhythms.

NREM Sleep (Non-Rapid Eye Movement)

Deep sleep stages without vivid dreaming.

Stage 1

Light sleep; transition between wakefulness and sleep.

Stage 2

Slightly deeper sleep; sleep spindles and K-complexes occur.

Stage 3

Deep sleep; essential for growth, immune function, and muscle repair.

REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement)

Dreaming occurs; brain activity resembles wakefulness.

REM Rebound

Increased REM sleep after deprivation.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams result from random neural activity interpreted by the brain.

Consolidation Theory

Sleep strengthens newly learned information and memories.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden, uncontrollable sleep episodes.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Acting out dreams due to lack of normal muscle paralysis in REM sleep.