UNIT 1-3 AP PSYCH

Biological psychology / behavioral neuroscience

The study of the relationship between biology and behavior.

Neuron

The basic building block of the nervous system, containing dendrites, soma, axon, myelin sheath, nodes of Ranvier, terminal buttons.

Action potential

A neural impulse that involves depolarization and is an all-or-none response.

Synapse

The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse, including ACh, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and glutamate.

Agonists vs. antagonists

Agonists enhance neurotransmitter activity, while antagonists inhibit it.

Nervous system divisions

Includes central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, which further divides into somatic and autonomic.

Sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic is responsible for fight-or-flight responses; parasympathetic is for rest-and-digest functions.

Endocrine system

System that regulates hormones, with the pituitary gland being the master gland.

Glial cells (glia)

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in complex brain functions; has four lobes.

Broca's area

Region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Wernicke's area

Region in the temporal lobe important for language comprehension.

Heredity vs. environment

The debate on the influence of genetic inheritance vs. environmental factors on behavior.

Natural selection

The process by which traits that enhance survival are passed on.

Sensation

The process of detecting stimuli through sensory receptors.

Perception

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

Absolute threshold

The smallest level of stimulus that can be detected 50% of the time.

Signal detection theory

Theory that explains how we detect signals amidst noise.

Transduction

The conversion of one form of energy into another; in sensation, the conversion of stimulus energy into neural impulses.

Feature detectors

Neurons that respond to specific features of a stimulus, such as shape or movement.

Gestalt psychology

Theory that proposes that we perceive whole forms rather than just a collection of parts.

Albert Bandura

Psychologist known for his work on observational learning and the Bobo doll experiment.

Classical conditioning

A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

Operant conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments.

Positive reinforcement

Increasing behavior by presenting positive stimuli.

Negative reinforcement

Increasing behavior by removing negative stimuli.

Cognitive map

A mental representation of physical locations.

Learned helplessness

The tendency to give up when faced with uncontrollable circumstances.

Intrinsic motivation

Doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence.

Extrinsic motivation

Doing an activity to achieve some separable outcome.

Alzheimer's disease

A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Twin studies

Studies that involve comparing the similarities between identical and fraternal twins to understand the influence of genetics on behavior.

Self-concept

An individual's perception of their own identity and personal worth.

Primary vs. secondary sex characteristics

Primary are directly involved in reproduction; secondary are physical features that develop during puberty.