*AP Psych Unit 2

What is latent content?

Hidden meaning of a dream, as interpreted by Freud.

EEG

Records electrical activity in the brain

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Near the kidney

Why is there withdrawal when people stop taking drugs?

Because the brain can no longer produce significant amounts of neurotransmitters.

What is the function of serotonin?

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

What functions are associated with the occipital lobe?

Processing visual information.

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

Controls movement, balance, implicit memory, and a little bit of emotion.

What is the purpose of injecting radioactively tagged glucose in a PET scan?

To track the movement of glucose in the brain.

What is the significance of blindsight?

It challenges the role of visual information in consciousness.

What is NREM-2?

Sleep stage with sleep spindles and K-complexes.

What is the main characteristic of REM sleep?

Vivid dreams, rapid brain waves, increased heart rate and breathing, and rapid eye movements.

What is sleep apnea?

Randomly stopping breathing while asleep.

Charles Darwin

Principle of natural selection and contributions to evolution

Paul Broca

Discovered Broca's area associated with language and speaking

Carl Wernicke

Discovered Wernicke's area essential for understanding language

Roger Sperry

Research on brain hemispheres and split-brain patients

Michael Gazzaniga

Research on brain lateralization and split-brain patients

William James

Coined the term 'stream of consciousness'

Sigmund Freud

Father of psychoanalysis, three levels of consciousness

Chromosomes

Carry genetic information, influence behavior and mental processes

Epigenetics

Study of how environment influences gene expression

Natural Selection

Process by which advantageous traits are passed on

Mutations

Changes in DNA sequence, can lead to variations in behavior

Genes

Segments of DNA that determine traits and behavior

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones, influence behavior and mental processes

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate bodily functions and behavior

Nervous System

Network of nerves and cells, controls behavior and mental processes

Nerves

Bundles of fibers that transmit signals between body and brain

Dendrites

Branch-like extensions of neurons, receive signals from other neurons

Neurons

Nerve cells, transmit signals in the nervous system

Axons

Long fibers of neurons, transmit signals away from the cell body

Action Potential

Electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron

All-or-none Response

Neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

Synapse

Gap between neurons, where communication occurs

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and produce feelings of pleasure

Threshold

Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Depressants

Substances that slow down the central nervous system

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the central nervous system

Hallucinogens

Substances that alter perception and produce hallucinations

Psychoactive Drug

Chemical substance that affects the central nervous system

Brainstem

Controls basic functions like breathing and heart rate

Split Brain

Condition where the two brain hemispheres are disconnected

Consciousness

Awareness of ourselves and our environment

Limbic System

Regulates emotions, memory, and basic drives

Lesion

Damage or destruction to brain tissue

MRI

Uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the brain

CAT

Computerized axial tomography, creates 3D images of the brain

fMRI

Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow

PET

Measures brain activity by tracking radioactive glucose

Plasticity

Brain's ability to change and adapt over time

Circadian Rhythm

Internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, associated with dreaming

Latent Content

Hidden meaning of dreams according to psychoanalysis

Manifest Content

Surface-level content of dreams according to psychoanalysis

What is biological psychology?

The study of the links between biological processes and psychological processes.

What is molecular genetics?

The study of the structure and function of genes at a molecular level.

What are fraternal (dizygotic) twins?

Twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs and share about 50% of their genetic makeup.

What is the nature vs. nurture debate?

The debate about the relative importance of genetic factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in influencing behavior and development.

What are twin and adoption studies?

Research methods that compare identical twins, fraternal twins, and siblings raised in the same family to study the influence of nature and nurture on behavior and development.

What are identical (monozygotic) twins?

Twins that develop from the same fertilized egg.

What is the difference between identical twins?

They have the same genes but not the same number of copies.

What does Thomas Bouchard's study suggest about the influence of environment on IQ?

Environment has some effect on IQ scores, but genetics heavily influence it.

What is the difference between fraternal (dizygotic) twins?

They develop from different fertilized eggs.

What traits do molecular geneticists study?

Body weight, sexual orientation, extraversion, etc.

What do molecular geneticists try to find out?

Which specific genes influence each behavior.

What are epigenetic marks?

Methyl molecules that can block gene expression without changing DNA.

What is evolution?

Principles of natural selection to explain behavior and the mind.

What is the biopsychosocial approach?

Approach that considers biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences.

What influences are considered in the biopsychosocial approach?

Genetics, gene expression, beliefs, peer influence, and social factors.

What is an example of the biopsychosocial approach?

Explaining extroversion through genetic tendency, conditioning, and social pressures.

What is the endocrine system?

Body's chemical communication system

How does the endocrine system operate?

Through glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

Controls metabolism, emotion, sleep, and blood pressure

Where is the pituitary gland located?

In the brain, controlled by the hypothalamus

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

Controls the pituitary gland, releases hormones, and regulates the '4 Fs'

What are the '4 Fs' controlled by the hypothalamus?

Fighting, Fleeing, Feeding, Mating

Where are the endocrine glands located in the brain?

Pineal gland, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland

Where are the thyroid and parathyroids located?

In the neck

Where is the pancreas located?

Near the stomach

How do hormones in the endocrine system travel?

Through the bloodstream

How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

Slower and longer-lasting

What role do hormones play in human development?

Significant role

What hormone does the pineal gland produce?

Melatonin

What is the function of melatonin?

Regulates circadian rhythm

What hormones does the pituitary gland produce?

Oxytocin and growth hormones

What is the function of oxytocin?

Promotes pair bonding and social trust

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

Affects metabolism

What is the function of the parathyroids?

Regulate calcium levels in the blood

What are the functions of the adrenal glands?

Trigger flight or fight responses, release adrenaline and norepinephrine, affect heart rate and blood pressure.

What are the functions of the testis and ovaries?

Reproductive organs, release sex hormones, promote growth.

What is epigenetics?

Study of how environmental factors influence gene expression.

What is the automatic nervous system?

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary responses.

What is adrenaline?

A hormone released by the adrenal glands, also known as epinephrine.

What is norepinephrine?

A hormone released by the adrenal glands.

What is insulin?

A hormone released by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels.

What are the functions of the testis?

Reproductive organ in males, releases sex hormones, promotes growth.

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Reproductive organ in females, releases sex hormones, promotes growth.

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Controls pituitary gland and regulates hunger, thirst, flight or fight, and sex.