Psychology Vocabulary Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts based on psychological principles, the nervous system, brain functions, and sensory perception, drawn from the lecture notes.

Nature versus Nurture

The debate over whether behavior is shaped more by genetics or environment.

Natural Selection

Traits that help survival and reproduction become more common over generations.

Evolutionary Psychology

Study of how natural selection influences behavior and mental processes.

Behavior Genetics

Study of how genes and environment influence behavior.

Mutation

Random change in DNA that can create new traits.

Environment

All non genetic influences such as culture, family, and experiences.

Heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.

Genes

Units of heredity made of DNA that influence traits.

Genome

Complete set of genetic material in an organism.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins formed from one fertilized egg.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins formed from two separate eggs.

Interaction

Combined influence of genes and environment on behavior.

Epigenetics

Study of how environment affects gene expression without changing DNA.

Nervous System

Body system that sends signals to control thoughts and actions.

CNS

Central nervous system made up of brain and spinal cord.

PNS

Peripheral nervous system that connects CNS to the body.

Nerves

Bundles of neurons that transmit information.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from senses to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carry commands from CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons that process information within the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary actions like heart rate.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Arouses the body for action and stress.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body and conserves energy.

Reflex

Automatic response to a stimulus.

Neuron

Nerve cell that transmits information.

Cell Body

Part of neuron that contains nucleus.

Dendrites

Receive incoming signals from other neurons.

Axon

Carries signals away from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty covering that speeds neural transmission.

Glial Cells

Support and nourish neurons.

Action Potential

Electrical impulse traveling down the axon.

Threshold

Minimum stimulation needed to trigger an action potential.

Refractory Period

Short time after firing when neuron cannot fire again.

All or Nothing Phenomenon

Neuron fires completely or not at all.

Synapse

Gap between neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical that crosses the synapse to send signals.

Reuptake

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by sending neuron.

Endorphins

Natural pain reducing neurotransmitters.

Agonist

Chemical that increases neurotransmitter activity.

Antagonist

Chemical that blocks neurotransmitter activity.

Endocrine System

System of glands that release hormones into blood.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that act slowly and last longer.

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter mood or consciousness.

Substance Use Disorder

Continued substance use despite harm.

Depressants

Drugs that slow nervous system activity.

Tolerance

Need for increasing amounts of a drug.

Addiction

Compulsive drug use despite consequences.

Withdrawal

Physical or emotional discomfort after stopping a drug.

Barbiturates

Depressants that reduce anxiety and induce sleep.

Opioids

Pain reducing drugs that cause euphoria.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase alertness and energy.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perception.

Near Death Experience

Reported experiences during life threatening situations.

Biological Psychology

Study of physical basis of behavior.

Biopsychosocial Approach

Interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Levels of Analysis

Different perspectives for studying behavior.

Neuroplasticity

Brain ability to change and reorganize.

Lesion

Damage to brain tissue.

EEG

Records electrical activity of the brain.

MEG

Measures magnetic fields from brain activity.

CT Scan

X-ray images showing brain structure.

PET Scan

Shows brain activity using radioactive tracers.

MRI

Detailed image of brain structure.

fMRI

Shows brain activity by blood flow changes.

Forebrain

Largest brain region for thinking and emotion.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions.

Medulla

Controls breathing and heartbeat.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station.

Reticular Formation

Controls arousal and alertness.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance and movement.

Limbic System

Emotion and memory system.

Amygdala

Processes fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis and controls hormones.

Hippocampus

Forms new memories.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer responsible for higher thinking.

Frontal Lobe

Decision making and impulse control.

Parietal Lobe

Processes touch and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

Processes vision.

Temporal Lobe

Processes hearing and language.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

Registers body sensations.

Association Areas

Integrate information.

Neurogenesis

Growth of new neurons.

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right hemispheres.

Split Brain

Condition where hemispheres cannot communicate.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Study of brain processes behind thinking.

Dual Processing

Simultaneous conscious and unconscious processing.

Blindsight

Responding to visual stimuli without awareness.

Parallel Processing

Processing multiple aspects at once.

Sequential Processing

Processing information step by step.

Sleep

Periodic state of rest for the brain.

Circadian Rhythm

Twenty-four hour biological clock.

REM Sleep

Stage with dreaming and rapid eye movement.

Alpha Waves

Brain waves during relaxed wakefulness.

NREM Sleep

Non-dreaming sleep stages.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences.

Hypnagogic Sensations

Dreamlike experiences while falling asleep.

Delta Waves

Slow waves during deep sleep.

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Controls circadian rhythm.