Flourishing, Mindfulness, and Neuroscience: College Wellness and Psychology

What are complex traits in psychology?

Traits that are influenced by multiple genes.

What are epigenetic factors?

Parts of the genome influenced by environmental factors that affect gene expression.

What is the role of the soma in a neuron?

It contains the genetic code of the neuron.

What is an action potential?

An electrical impulse that travels down the axon.

What occurs during resting potential in a neuron?

The inside of the cell is negatively charged (-70 millivolts) compared to the outside.

What is depolarization in the context of a neuron?

A process where a signal opens ion channels, creating a positive charge inside the cell.

What is the synapse?

The area where one neuron connects with another.

What are the roles of glutamate and GABA in neurotransmission?

Glutamate is excitatory and increases the likelihood of an action potential; GABA is inhibitory and decreases that likelihood.

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

Afferent (sensory) and Efferent (motor) divisions.

What does the afferent division do?

It receives information from the senses and sends it to the brain.

What does the efferent division do?

It sends information from the brain to the body to elicit responses.

Which system controls the fight-or-flight response?

The sympathetic nervous system.

What are the main parts of the hindbrain?

Brain stem, thalamus, and cerebellum.

What is the function of the thalamus?

It acts as a relay station between the forebrain and hindbrain.

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

It maintains the body's status quo.

What is the function of the amygdala?

It responds to threats and basic survival needs.

What is the primary function of the hippocampus?

Long-term memory storage.

What is cerebral localization?

The concept that specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific functions.

What is Broca's aphasia?

A language production disorder.

What is Wernicke's aphasia?

A disorder affecting the meaning of language.

What is synesthesia?

A condition where different senses are mixed, such as hearing tastes or seeing smells.

What connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum?

The corpus callosum.

Which part of the brain is essential for long-term memory?

The hippocampus.

What are common myths about the brain?

You only use 10% of your brain; left brain vs. right brain person.

What is Broca's Aphasia?

A condition where patients struggle to produce words.

What is Wernicke's Aphasia?

A condition where patients produce many words that do not make sense.

What is synesthesia?

An experience where different senses are mixed, such as hearing tastes or seeing smells.

What does fMRI stand for and what does it measure?

Functional magnetic resonance imaging; it measures brain activity by detecting blood flow.

Which brain region is involved in responding to threatening information?

The amygdala.

What is the role of Broca's area?

It is involved in speech production, located in the left temporal lobe.

What brain region is associated with basic life functions like breathing?

The brain stem.

What does the cerebellum control?

Balance and major skilled coordinated movements.

What are the components of attention control in the neuroscience of mindfulness?

Anterior cingulate cortex and striatum.

What brain regions are involved in emotion regulation?

Prefrontal regions, limbic regions, and striatum.

Which brain regions are associated with self-awareness?

Insula, medial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus.

What are the six basic emotions identified in psychology?

Anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise.

What additional emotion is often included with the basic emotions?

Contempt.

What is the mirror test used to assess?

Self-awareness in species.

What does the theory of mind refer to?

The understanding that others have their own thoughts, beliefs, and intentions.

What is the Sally-Anne Task used to assess?

Theory of mind development in children.

What is the False Belief Test?

A test that shows whether a child understands that others can hold beliefs different from their own.

What are moral (social) emotions?

Emotions such as guilt, shame, embarrassment, and pride.

What is the significance of the 'Ekman faces' in emotion research?

They are used to study and identify basic emotions through facial expressions.

What does the term 'self-awareness' imply in psychological studies?

The ability to recognize oneself as an individual separate from the environment and others.

What is the main focus of Dr. June Gruber's research?

The impact of positive and negative human emotions on our lives.

What is the relationship between basic emotions and culture?

Basic emotions are generally considered to be the same across cultures.

What does research suggest about animals and theory of mind?

Some animals, like chimpanzees, demonstrate behaviors that suggest they have a sense of theory of mind.

What is the 2-Factor Theory of Emotion proposed by Schachter and Singer?

It posits that emotions involve two stages: arousal and cognitive interpretation.

What does 'misattribution of arousal' refer to?

It refers to the process where individuals misinterpret the cause of their physiological arousal.

In the study by Cantor, Zillmann, and Bryant (1975), what was the dependent variable?

The rating of the movie by participants.

What physiological response occurs during stress that affects the digestive and reproductive systems?

The release of cortisol.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory?

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid).

What is the role of glutamate in the synapse?

It is primarily an excitatory neurotransmitter that makes neurons more likely to fire.

What effects do serotonin and dopamine have in the brain?

Dopamine is associated with reward and pleasure, while serotonin affects mood and relaxation.

How does cocaine affect dopamine in the synapse?

Cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine, leading to increased dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft.

What is the effect of alcohol on neurotransmitters?

Alcohol enhances GABA and blocks glutamate, acting as a depressant.

How does LSD affect serotonin levels?

LSD mimics serotonin and increases its action in the brain.

What is the role of THC in the synapse?

THC blocks GABA release, increasing dopamine levels and enhancing pleasure responses.

What are the effects of opioids on GABA and dopamine neurons?

Opioids block GABA release, leading to increased dopamine firing and pleasure sensations.

What is the difference between THC and CBD in cannabis?

THC is a potent CB1 receptor agonist, while CBD is a partial CB1 antagonist/modulator.

What is a circadian rhythm?

It is the internal clock that regulates biological processes in sync with external cues, primarily the light-dark cycle.

How does sleep affect academic performance?

Quality and consistency of sleep correlate with better grades, while sleep deprivation hinders attention and memory consolidation.

What is the significance of consistent sleep before exams?

Consistent sleep in the weeks leading up to exams significantly impacts academic performance.

What is the primary focus of the Cannabis & Health Research Program?

To study the risks and benefits of CBD and THC use in relation to health.

What are some potential benefits of CBD?

CBD may reduce anxiety and has non-intoxicating properties.

What is the impact of sleep restriction on students?

It leads to difficulties in sustaining attention and memory retention.

What neurotransmitter is associated with mood and sensation?

Serotonin.

What is the action of GABA in the synapse?

GABA makes neurons less likely to fire, inhibiting action potentials.

Which neurotransmitter is linked to alertness and wanting?

Dopamine.

What is the relationship between sleep quality and academic grades?

Better sleep quality correlates with higher academic performance.

What does the term 'arousal polarizes' refer to?

It refers to the phenomenon where arousal makes emotional responses more exaggerated.

What is a disorder?

A defined cluster of psychological symptoms or behaviors that are distressing and/or interfere with daily life.

What is the DSM-5?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, used for diagnosing psychological disorders.

What are the three main categories of causes for psychological disorders?

Biological, psychological experiences, and environmental factors.

What biological factors can contribute to psychological disorders?

Genes, brain alterations or vulnerabilities, and prenatal or drug exposure.

What psychological experiences can lead to disorders?

Early trauma or grief and coping or relational strategies.

What environmental stressors can contribute to psychological disorders?

Stressors like death, divorce, violent conflict, and social or cultural expectations.

What is Psychodynamic Theory?

A theory that emphasizes the influence of the subconscious on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Commonly prescribed medications for depression, including Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Paxil.

What are atypical antidepressants?

Medications that work on neurotransmitters other than serotonin, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, e.g., Bupropion/Wellbutrin.

What is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy?

A treatment for resistant depression and PTSD using substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD, involving multiple sessions.

What is the Default Mode Network?

A network in the brain thought to be suppressed during psychedelic therapy, potentially aiding in treatment.

What is Behavioral Therapy?

A therapeutic approach focusing on modifying behaviors through techniques like self-monitoring and consequence modification.

What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

A therapy that addresses cognitive distortions and promotes behavioral change through understanding thoughts and emotions.

What are some cognitive distortions addressed in CBT?

Emotional reasoning, thinking errors, mind reading, dichotomous thinking, selective abstraction, and self-fulfilling prophecies.

What does prevalence of a disorder refer to?

How often a disorder occurs at a given time, expressed as a percentage or fraction.

What is an example of a prevalent disorder in the U.S.?

An estimated 2% of people met criteria for Bulimia Nervosa in the past 12 months.

What is the purpose of the research study conducted by CU Boulder and the Crown Wellness Institute?

To understand how college-level courses may support undergraduate flourishing and wellness.

What are the eligibility requirements for participating in the CU Boulder research study?

Participants must be over 18 years old and enrolled in Dr. Bryan's section of PSYC 1001.

What incentives are offered for participating in the focus group at the Crown Wellness Institute?

Participants receive pizza dinner and a $25 Amazon gift card.

What is a disorder?

A cluster of psychological symptoms or behaviors that are distressing and/or interfere with daily life.

What are the symptoms required to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder?

Two weeks of feeling down or lack of interest/pleasure, with disruptions in motivation, eating, sleeping, energy, concentration, and possible suicidal thoughts.

What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Also known as Dysthymia, it involves two or more years of feeling down with disruptions in eating, sleeping, energy, concentration, self-esteem, and hopelessness.

What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?

A disorder characterized by severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before menstruation, with symptoms usually resolving shortly after the period starts.

What treatments are commonly used for depressive disorders?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), SSRIs, other medications, and for treatment-resistant cases, psilocybin or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

What distinguishes Bipolar Disorder Type I from Type II?

Type I involves mania lasting more than a week or requiring hospitalization, while Type II involves hypomania lasting at least four days.

What are the first-line treatments for Bipolar Disorders?

Mood stabilizers and other psychiatric medications, often combined with CBT focused on managing risk behaviors and mood regulation.

What are the main types of Anxiety-Related Disorders?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, and Agoraphobia.

What characterizes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Frequent and constant worry about everyday things that is difficult to control, accompanied by physiological arousal and difficulty concentrating.

What is a Panic Disorder?

Characterized by panic attacks, which are brief and intense periods of anxiety and physical symptoms without a clear cause.