ALL AP PSYCH VOCAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nature nurture issue

Debate over whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) shapes behavior more.

Genetic predisposition

Increased likelihood of developing a trait due to genetics.

Evolutionary psychology

Study of behavior using principles of natural selection.

Eugenics

Belief in improving genetics through selective breeding (not scientifically supported).

Twin studies

Research on identical/fraternal twins to determine genetic vs. environmental influences.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

All nerves outside the CNS.

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Regulates involuntary functions (e.g., heartbeat).

Sympathetic nervous system

Activates fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Calms body after stress (rest and digest).

Glial cell

Supports and protects neurons.

Neuron

Nerve cell; basic unit of the nervous system.

Cell body (soma)

Neuron's main part containing the nucleus.

Dendrite

Receives messages from other neurons.

Axon

Sends messages away from the neuron.

Myelin sheath

Fatty layer that speeds up impulses.

Action potential

Electrical signal traveling down an axon.

Threshold

Minimum stimulation needed to trigger an impulse.

Refractory period

Time when a neuron can't fire again.

All-or-none response

Neuron either fires fully or not at all.

Synapse

Gap between neurons where communication occurs.

Reflex (arc)

Automatic response to stimuli via spinal cord.

Sensory neurons

Carry messages to the CNS.

Motor neurons

Carry messages from CNS to muscles.

Interneurons

Connect sensory and motor neurons in CNS.

Neural transmission (impulse)

Electrical/chemical signaling in neurons.

Multiple sclerosis

Disease damaging myelin, slowing impulses.

Myasthenia gravis

Autoimmune disorder causing muscle weakness.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the brain.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters.

Agonist

Drug that mimics neurotransmitter effects.

Antagonist

Drug that blocks neurotransmitter effects.

Endorphins

Natural painkillers and mood boosters.

Hormones

Chemical messengers of the endocrine system.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that block reabsorption of neurotransmitters.

Psychoactive drug

Alters brain function and perception.

Stimulants

Speed up body functions (e.g., caffeine).

Depressants

Slow down body functions (e.g., alcohol).

Hallucinogens

Cause sensory distortions (e.g., LSD).

Opioids

Pain-relieving drugs (e.g., morphine).

Tolerance

Needing more of a drug for the same effect.

Substance use disorder

Continued use despite harm.

Addiction/dependence

Physical/psychological need for a substance.

Withdrawal (symptoms)

Effects after stopping drug use.

Biological psychology

Studies link between biology and behavior.

Brainstem

Oldest brain part; controls basic functions.

Medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing.

Reticular formation

Controls arousal and attention.

Reward center

Brain area linked to pleasure (includes dopamine pathways).

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer; higher thinking.

Hemispheres

Left and right brain halves.

Limbic system

Emotional center of the brain.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, etc.

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland.

Amygdala

Linked to fear and emotion.

Hippocampus

Helps form new memories.

Corpus callosum

Connects the two hemispheres.

Occipital lobes

Process visual info.

Frontal lobes

Involved in planning, judgment, movement.

Prefrontal cortex

Part of frontal lobe for decision-making.

Motor cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Temporal lobes

Process auditory info.

Parietal lobes

Process touch and body position.

Somatosensory cortex

Processes body sensations.

Association areas

Integrate and interpret info.

Split brain

Severed corpus callosum; hemispheres can't communicate.

Specialization of R/L hemispheres

Each side has unique functions (e.g., left = language).

Broca's area

Produces speech.

Wernicke's area

Understands language.

Aphasia

Language impairment.

Contralateral organization

Left brain controls right body, and vice versa.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to adapt and change.

EEG

Records brain waves.

fMRI

Shows brain activity by blood flow.

Lesion

Brain tissue destruction used for study.

Part 2 (Modules 1.5a-1.5c)

Dual processing

Brain processes info on conscious and unconscious tracks.

Sleep

Natural loss of consciousness.

Circadian rhythm

24-hour biological clock.

Stages of sleep

Includes NREM and REM stages.

Alpha waves

Slow waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Delta waves

Deep sleep brain waves.

NREM sleep

Non-dream sleep stages.

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences.

Hypnogogic sensations

Vivid sensations when falling asleep.

REM (paradoxical) sleep

Dream stage with body paralysis.

Dream

Sequences of images, emotions, and thoughts.

REM rebound

Increased REM after deprivation.

Activation-synthesis theory

Dreams = brain making sense of random activity.

Information processing theory

Dreams help sort and store memories.

Insomnia

Trouble falling/staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden sleep attacks.

REM sleep behavior disorder

Acting out dreams during REM.

Sleep apnea

Breathing stops during sleep.

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking.

Unit 1 Part 3 (Modules 1.6a-1.6d)