AP PSYCH UNIT 1

Evolutionary Psychology

Looks at how human behaviors helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

Natural Selection

Process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently.

Nature (genetics)

The influence of genetic factors on traits and behaviors.

Nurture (environment)

The influence of environmental factors on traits and behaviors.

Twin Studies

Research comparing the similarities between identical and fraternal twins to understand the influence of genetics versus environment.

Adoption Studies

Investigates similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families to assess the impact of genetics versus environment on various traits and behaviors.

Family Studies

Research looking at behavioral traits in families to determine how much is genetic versus environmental.

Heredity

The passing of traits from (biological) parents to offspring through genes.

Genetic Predisposition

The likelihood of developing certain traits or disorders based on genetics.

Eugenics

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

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, involved in complex mental processes such as thinking.

Lobes of the Brain

Divisions of the brain based on function and location: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal.

Frontal Lobes

Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling behavior.

Prefrontal Cortex

Part of the frontal lobes involved in planning complex behaviors and executive functioning.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements.

Parietal Lobes

Processes sensory information like touch and spatial awareness.

Somatosensory Cortex

Region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints.

Occipital Lobes

Primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes

Temporal Lobes

Involved in hearing, memory, and understanding language.

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres, facilitating communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres.

Brainstem

Supports basic life functions, including heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

Medulla

Part of the brainstem that controls vital life-sustaining functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Reticular Activating System

A network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements like posture, balance, and coordination. (located at the back of the brain)

Limbic System

Involved in emotion, motivation, and memory. (located beneath the cerebral cortex)

Reward Center

Brain areas that regulate the experience of pleasure. (located in limbic system)

Thalamus

Relay motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic systems.

Pituitary Gland

small pea-sized gland, often referred to as the “master gland” due to its central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body.

Hippocampus

Located within the brain’s temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories.

Amygdala

Located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes, involved in emotion processing, particularly fear and aggression.

The Nervous System

The body’s communication network consisting of nerve cells.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for activating the body’s “fight 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 info from the body to the CNS

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit information throughout the body.

Glial Cells

The “support cells” of the nervous system, provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons.

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals from the CNS to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.

Sensory Neurons

Specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors, such as those in the skin, muscles, and organs, to the CNS.

Interneurons

Nerve cells that connect sensory and motor neurons and carry impulses between them.

Reflex Arc

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

Neural Transmission

The process by which neurons communicate with each other.

Threshold

It is the minimum amount of stimulation necessary to produce an action potential.

Action Potential

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

All-or-Nothing Principle

States that once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, it will fire an action potential at full strength.

Depolarization

A decrease in the electrical charge across a cell membrane.

Refractory Period

Brief period following an action potential during which a neuron is unable to generate another action potential.

Resting Potential

The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

Reuptake

Process in which neurotransmitters that have been released into the synapse are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron from which they were originally released.

Multiple Sclerosis “MS”

Chronic autoimmune disease that affects the CNS, including the brain and spinal cord.

Myasthenia Gravis

Chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, where nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles.

Neurotransmitters

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

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons that increase the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.

Glutamate

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It is involved in various brain functions, including learning, memory, and neural plasticity.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons that decrease the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that acts as the primary inhibiting neurotransmitter in the CNS. It promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters produced by the brain and CNS that act as natural pain relievers and mood enhancers.

Substance p

Neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain signals in the nervous system.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in both the CNS and the PNS.
- muscle contraction, memory, and learning

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs, where they regulate various physiological 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 and appetite. It acts on the hypothalamus in the brain to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure.

Melatonin

Hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms in the body

Oxytocin

Hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a key role in social bonding.

Adrenaline

Hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the body’s stress response, often referred to as the “fight or flight” response.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in the body’s “fight or flight” response, regulating arousal, attention, and stress.