Psychology Exam Review: Biopsychology, Emotion and Motivation, and Lifespan Development

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions across Biopsychology (Chapter Three), Emotion and Motivation (Chapter Ten), and Lifespan Development (Chapter Nine).

Dendrite

Part of the neuron that receives information.

Soma

Cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus (e.g., DNA).

Nucleus

Located in the soma of a neuron; holds DNA.

Axon

The 'information highway' of the neuron that carries messages destined for other neurons.

Myelin sheath

Structure that speeds up the movement of information sent along a neuron.

Synapse

The junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another neuron.

Sensory neurons

Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey information to the brain via the spinal cord; receive signals for light, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Motor neurons

Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles that produce movement.

Interneurons

The most common type of neuron; connects sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons.

Conduction

The movement of an electrical signal within neurons, sent from dendrites to cell body to axon.

Transmission

The movement of signals from neuron to neuron across the synapse.

Electrochemical action of neurons

The combined process of conduction within neurons and transmission across synapses that enables neuronal communication.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that regulates motor control, attention, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that regulates motor control, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that regulate pleasure and pain.

Oxytocin

A neurotransmitter related to attachment and emotional bonds.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

Agonist

An 'excitatory' drug that increases the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

An 'inhibitory' drug that blocks the function of a neurotransmitter.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to develop in response to the environment.

Amygdala

Brain structure involved in discrimination of objects needed for survival, as well as emotional awareness and expression.

Hippocampus

Brain structure responsible for the formation and consolidation of memories.

Hypothalamus

Brain structure that regulates eating, drinking, sexual behaviors, the body's internal state, emotion, stress, and reward.

Frontal lobe

Brain lobe responsible for reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language.

Parietal lobe

Brain lobe responsible for processing information from the body's senses.

Occipital lobe

Brain lobe that interprets incoming visual information.

Temporal lobe

Brain lobe involved in hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language.

Pons

Brain structure that connects the hindbrain to other parts of the brain and helps regulate brain activity during sleep.

Medulla

Brain structure that controls the automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Cerebellum

Brain structure that controls balance, coordination, movement, and other motor skills.

Reticular Formation

Brain structure that regulates the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor skills like walking.

Substantia Nigra & Ventral Tegmental Area

Brain regions involved in the production of dopamine, movement, mood, reward, and addiction.

Invasive brain study methods

Methods for studying the brain through lesion, ablation, and cerebrovascular accidents.

Noninvasive brain study methods

Brain imaging and recording methods including CT, MRI, fMRI, PET, EEG, and MEG.

Concussion

A head injury with temporary loss of brain function; potential long-term impacts include memory loss, mental effects, and axon bundle damage.

Factors in brain damage recovery

Recovery from brain damage depends on the age of the individual, the extent of the damage, and intervention.

Motivation

The force that moves people to behave, think, and feel as they do; it energizes, directs, and sustains behavior.

Instinct

An innate, biological pattern of behavior believed to be universal throughout a species; plays a central role in the evolutionary theory of motivation.

Drive

An aroused state that occurs because of a physiological need.

Drive Reduction Theory

Theory stating that when a drive becomes stronger, we are motivated to reduce it in order to return to homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain equilibrium.

Optimum Arousal Theory

Theory of motivation positing that individuals sometimes seek stimulation.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A law stating that performance is best under conditions of moderate arousal.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation based on internal factors such as autonomy, competence, relatedness, curiosity, challenge, and effort.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation based on external incentives such as gaining rewards or avoiding punishments.

Self-regulation

The process by which an organism controls behavior to pursue important objectives.

Effective goal setting

Goal setting characterized by being specific, moderately challenging, having a long-term purpose, and enabling short-term accomplishment.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A sequence of needs asserting that basic needs must be met before higher needs can be satisfied.

Self-actualization

The motivation to develop to our fullest potential.

Developmental psychology

The study of how humans grow, develop, and change throughout the lifespan.

Physical development

Domain of development involving growth and changes in the body and brain, senses, motor skills, and health and wellness.

Cognitive development

Domain of development involving learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity.

Psychosocial development

Domain of development involving emotions, personality, and social relationships.

Continuous vs Discontinuous development

Cross-cutting issue asking: Does development happen continuously through gradual change or by stages?

One Course or Many

Cross-cutting issue in developmental psychology asking: Is development the same for everyone?

Nature and Nurture

Cross-cutting issue asking whether development is the result of genetics and inherited traits (nature) or environment and experiences (nurture).

Conception

The moment an egg is fertilized by sperm.

Germinal stage

Early prenatal stage during which a zygote forms and attaches to the uterine wall.

Embryonic stage

Prenatal stage during which cells and major organ systems differentiate.

Fetal stage

Prenatal stage during which skeletal and muscular systems develop.

Reflexes

Specific patterns in motor development that precede more sophisticated intentional movements.

Motor skills

The ability to intentionally move our body and manipulate objects.

Puberty

Rapid physical growth caused by an increase in hormones that change the composition of the body.

Primary sex characteristics

Physical changes related to the maturation of reproductive organs.

Secondary sex characteristics

Physical changes that indicate growth and maturity but are not tied to reproductive organs.

Emerging adulthood

Developmental period characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and possibilities.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Theory stating that as we age, we tend to focus our energy on information and experiences that bring emotional satisfaction to us in the present.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's stage ($0 - 2\text{ yrs}$) where infants use their ability to sense and to move to acquire information about the world.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's stage ($2 - 6\text{ yrs}$) where children develop a preliminary understanding of the physical world.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's stage ($6 - 11\text{ yrs}$) where children develop a more concrete understanding of the physical world, master logical thought, and understand conservation tasks.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's stage ($11\text{ yrs}+$) where children learn to reason about abstract concepts, engage in abstract reasoning, and develop hypothetical and deductive reasoning skills.

Attachment

An emotional bond with a specific person that is stable over time.

Secure Attachment

Attachment classification where a child has a high-quality, relatively distinct relationship with their caregiver.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

Attachment classification where a child seems indifferent toward their caregiver before they leave the room and indifferent or avoidant upon return.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment

Attachment classification where a child clings to their caregiver and stays close instead of exploring their environment.

Insecure-Disorganized Attachment

Attachment classification where a child behaves oddly and may show evidence of regarding their caregiver as a source of fear.

Trust vs Mistrust

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Will my basic needs of comfort, food and warmth be met?'

Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Can I seek independence?'

Initiative vs Guilt

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Can I seek out responsibilities and assert myself during play and social interactions?'

Industry vs Inferiority

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Can I master knowledge and intellectual skills?'

Identity vs Role Confusion

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Do I explore who I am ultimately emerging with a new sense of self?'

Intimacy vs Isolation

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Can I avoid social isolation by forming intimate relationships?'

Generativity vs Stagnation

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'Will I leave something behind for future generations?'

Integrity vs Despair

Erikson's stage addressing the question: 'As I evaluate my life can I find meaning and come to terms with my impending death?'

Kübler-Ross’s Five Stages of Grief

The five stages of grief: 1) Denial, 2) Anger, 3) Bargaining, 4) Depression, 5) Acceptance.