AP Psychology Unit 1

Evolutionary Perspective

the study of house, psychological traits and behaviors have evolved overtime to enhance survival and reproductive success

Natural selection

the process by which organisms with traits that are better suited for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous trades to future generations

Nature “Genes“

inherit biological genetic factors that influence and individuals psychological development, traits behaviors, and cognitive abilities

Nurture “Environment“

the environmental influences and experiences that shape and individuals psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive processes

Heredity

the transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring

Genetic predisposition

the inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or condition due to genetic factors from biological parents

Eugenics

The belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable ones

Neural transmission

the process by which neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential and neuron minimum amount of stimulation necessary to produce response

All or nothing principal

states that once a neuron reaches a threshold of excitation. It will fire an action potential at full strength.

Depolarization

phase of the action potential, where the inside of a neuron becomes less negative compared to the outside due to the influx of positively charged ions, such as sodium ions through ion channels in the cell membrane

Refractory period

A brief period following an action potential during which neuron is unable to generate another action potential

Resting potential

the stable negative electrical charge that exist across the cell membrane of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting signals

Reuptake

processing which neurotransmitters have been released into the synapse, are absorbed by the presynaptic neuron from which they are originally released

Multiple sclerosis

chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord

Myasethnia Gravis

chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction where nerve impulses are transmitted to muscle

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, allowing for communication within the nervous system

Excitatory neurotransmitters

chemicals, release by neurons that increased the likelihood of action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron

Glutamate

The primary excitatory transmitter in the CNS plays a key role in the synaptic transmission and the neuronal communication is involved in various brain functions, including learning memory and neural plasticity

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

chemicals released by neurons that decreased the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron

GABA

neurotransmitter that acts as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety

Dopamine

neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating reward, motivation, and movement

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating sleep appetite and stress

Endorphins

Neurotransmitter produced by the brain and the central nervous system that act as natural pain relievers and mood enhancers

Substance P

neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain signals in the nervous system

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays the fundamental role in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Hormones

chemical messengers produced by the glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to cells or organs where they regulate various physical processes and behaviors

Ghrelin

Hormone produced primarily by the stomach and small intestine that stimulates appetite and promotes hunger

Leptin

hormone produced primarily by fat cells that regulates energy balance and appetite in the hypothalamus in the brain to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure

Melatonin

hormone regulates the sleep cycle and circadian rhythms in the body

Oxytocin

hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a key role in social bonding

Adrenaline

hormone transmitter that plays a role in the body response refer to as the flight or fight response

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that functions both as a hormone and neurotransmitter in the body, it isn't involved in the bodi’s, fight or flight response, regulating arousal, attention, and stress

Nervous system

It is a body’s a communication network, consisting of a complex system of nerves, neurons, and specialized cells

Central nervous system

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. It serves as a command center of the body responsible for processing information, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions

Peripheral nervous system

the PNS consist of all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, it serves as a communication network transmitting sensory information from the body to the central nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

division of Peripheral nervous system, that regulates involuntary bodily functions it operates automatically without conscious control, consist two main branches, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

responsible for activating the bodies or flight response in times of stress or danger

Parasympathetic nervous system

responsible for promoting relaxation and restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger

Somatic nervous system

division of the Peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary movements and relaying sensory information from the body to the central nervous system

Neurons

specialized cells that serve as the building block of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body. The three main parts consist of the body, dendrites, and axon

Glial cells

the support cells of the nervous system, provide structural support insulation in nourishment to neurons

Motor Neurons

cells transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles, glands and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements

Sensory neurons

specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptor such as those in the skin, muscles and organs to the central nervous system

Interneurons

nerve cells that serve as connectors within the central nervous system relay signals between sensory, neurons, and motor neurons

Reflex arc

A neural pathway that controls reflex actions, allowing for rapid automatic responses to sensory stimuli without conscious thought

Plasticity

refers to the brand ability to re-organize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences learning and environmental changes

Split brain research

studies individuals who have undergone surgical procedures called corpus callosotomy which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain typically done as a treatment for severe epilepsy

Contralateral hemispheric organization

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

Hemispheric specialization

Explored through split brain research refers to the concept that each hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities

Linguistic processing

complex, cognitive process involved and understanding and producing language

Brocas area

located in the left hemisphere of the brain specifically in the frontal lobe that is responsible for speech, production and language, language processing

Brocas aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to the Brocas area in the left hemisphere of the brain offering resulting from stroke or brain injury

Wernickes Area

Region located in the left hemisphere of the brain specifically in the temporal lobe that is involved in language, comprehension, and understanding, spoken and written language

Wernickes aphasia

language disorder caused by damage to the Wernickes Area in the left hemisphere of the brain typically resulting from stroke or brain injury

electroencephalogram

noninvasive neural imaging technique, used to record the electrical activity of the brain's EEG'

Functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI

nuro imaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in the blood flow and oxygen level level

Lesioning

research technique used to study brain functioning intentionally or destroy specific areas of the brain in experimental animals

Cerebral cortex

the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher level, cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving and decision making

Lobes of the brain

the lobes of the brain refer to the four main regions or sections into which the cerebral cortex the outer layer of the brain is divided

Association areas

there are parts of the brain that take information from all over the place like what we see here smell and touch and put it all together to help us understand the world around us

Frontal lobes

located at the front of the brain and are involved in higher level, cognitive function, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression

Prefrontal cortex

region of the brain located in the frontal low responsible for higher level, cognitive functions, and executive functioning

Motor cortex

Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing, and controlling voluntary movements of the body

Perital lobes

Located at the top of the brain and our primary responsible for processing sensory information

Somtahe sensory cortex