AP Psychology Unit 1 Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from AP Psychology Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior, including research methods, the nervous system, brain structure, consciousness, sensation, drugs, and related terms.

What is a theory in the context of research methods?

A well-developed set of ideas that propose an explanation for observed phenomena.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction derived from a theory.

What is an operational definition?

Describes how variables are measured or manipulated.

What is the main difference between correlational and experimental research?

Correlational research shows relationships but not causation, while experimental research can show cause and effect.

What are the two main components of the central nervous system (CNS)?

Brain and spinal cord.

What are the two main components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System.

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, and what is the function of each?

Sympathetic (arouses the body) and parasympathetic (calms the body).

What are the main parts of a neuron, and what is the function of each?

Dendrites (receive signals), Soma (cell body), Axon (sends signals), Myelin sheath (speeds up signal), Terminal buttons (send signal to next neuron).

What is action potential?

An electrical charge that travels down the axon.

What is Resting Potential?

Neuron is inactive, negatively charged.

What is a threshold in the context of neuron firing?

Minimum stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse.

What is the refractory period in neuron firing?

Neuron resets.

Name three neurotransmitters and their primary functions/associated conditions.

Dopamine (movement, emotion; too much = schizophrenia), Serotonin (mood, sleep; low = depression), Acetylcholine (ACh) (muscle movement, memory; Alzheimer's).

What are endorphins?

Natural painkillers.

What are the main functions of the brainstem?

Automatic survival functions.

Which parts of the brainstem control breathing and heart rate?

Medulla.

What are functions of the Pons?

Movement, sleep.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Balance, coordination.

Name three parts of the limbic system and their functions.

Amygdala (emotions, especially fear), Hippocampus (memory formation), Hypothalamus (hunger, thirst, temperature, sex drive).

Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their primary functions.

Frontal Lobe (decision-making, personality, movement), Parietal Lobe (sensory input/touch), Occipital Lobe (vision), Temporal Lobe (hearing).

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

Connects left and right hemispheres.

What is consciousness?

Awareness of self and environment.

What is Circadian Rhythm?

24-hour biological cycle (sleep/wake).

Name the typical stages of sleep.

NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, REM.

What is associated with the REM stage of sleep?

Rapid eye movement; dreams occur; body paralyzed.

What are some common sleep disorders?

Insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, night terrors.

What is sensation?

The process of detecting external stimuli.

What is transduction?

Converting sensory input into neural impulses.

What is absolute threshold?

Minimum stimulus needed to detect 50% of the time.

What is the Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference)?

Smallest detectable change.

What is Weber's Law?

The greater the stimulus, the greater the change needed to notice a difference.

What is Standard Deviation?

Measures how much scores vary around the mean.

What is Variance?

Square of the standard deviation.

What is a Z-Score?

Indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean.

How do depressants affect body functions?

Slow down body functions.

How do stimulants affect body functions?

Speed up body functions.

How do hallucinogens affect perception?

Distort perception.

What is the function of opiates?

Relieve pain; mimic endorphins.

Name three reasons why we sleep.

Restores brain tissue, Helps with memory consolidation, Supports growth via hormones.

What is the main idea behind Freud's dream theory?

Manifest vs. latent content.

What is the Activation-Synthesis dream theory?

Random brain activity made into a story.

How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain?

They alter mood, perception, or behavior by affecting the brains neurotransmitters.

What are the main effects and risks associated with depressants?

Drowsiness, impaired coordination, slowed breathing and heart rate; addiction, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, respiratory depression, overdose.

What are the main effects and risks associated with stimulants?

Increased heart rate, alertness, energy, mood elevation; addiction, paranoia, anxiety, heart problems, insomnia, crash after use.

How do hallucinogens affect perception, and what are the potential risks?

Hallucinations, altered time perception, psychosis, paranoia, flashbacks, dehydration.

What are the main effects and risks of opioid use?

Pain relief, drowsiness, euphoria; high addiction potential, respiratory failure, tolerance, withdrawal, overdose deaths.

Define tolerance in the context of drug use.

Needing more of the drug to get the same effect.

What is withdrawal?

Discomfort or distress when stopping drug use.

Distinguish between physical and psychological dependence.

Physiological need for the drug vs. emotional craving or mental desire.

How is addiction defined?

Compulsive craving and use despite consequences.