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Evolutionary Psychology
The study of how traits and behaviors evolved over time to help survival and reproductive success
Natural Selection
The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations, leading to evolutionary changes in a population.
Nature
The genetic and biological factors that influence behavior, often contrasted with nurture.
Nurture
The environmental influences and experiences that shape behavior and development, often contrasted with nature.
Twin Studies
Research methods used to assess the relative contributions of genetics and environment by comparing the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins.
Adoption Studies
Research methods that examine the influence of genetics and environment by studying children raised by adoptive parents compared to their biological parents.
Family Studies
Research methods that investigate the heritability of traits by examining the similarities and differences among family members.
Heredity
The genetic transmission of traits from parents to offspring, influencing physical and behavioral characteristics.
Genetic Predisposition
The increased likelihood of developing certain traits or disorders based on one's genetic makeup, influenced by environmental factors.
Eugenics
Trying to improve genetic quality based on racism; discrimatory practices
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions such as perception, thought, and decision-making.
Lobes of the Brain
The four main regions of the brain
Association Areas
regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate sensory and motor information, crucial for higher-level processing.
Frontal Lobes
located at the front of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, and impulse control.
Prefrontal Cortex
part of the frontal lobes responsible for complex cognitive behavior, decision making, and moderating social behavior.
Motor Cortex
area of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles.
Parietal Lobes
located near the top and back of the brain, involved in processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.
Somatosensory Cortex
area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain.
Occipital Lobes
located at the back of the brain, responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.
Temporal Lobes
located on the sides of the brain, responsible for processing auditory information and is also involved in memory and emotion.
Corpus Callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres, facilitating communication between them.
Brainstem
the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord, controlling vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Medulla
the part of the brainstem that regulates vital functions such as heart rate and respiration.
Reticular Activating System
a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates wakefulness, arousal, and attention.
Cerebellum
the part of the brain located at the back of the skull that is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.
Limbic System
a complex set of structures in the brain that regulates emotions, memory, and motivation.
Reward Center
a group of structures in the brain, including the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, that are involved in the processing of rewards, pleasure, and reinforcement.
Thalamus
the brain's relay station that processes and transmits sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
a small region of the brain that controls various autonomic functions, regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms, and plays a key role in hormone secretion.
Pituitary Gland
a small gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the "master gland" because it regulates the release of hormones from other glands in the endocrine system.
Hippocampus
a critical structure in the brain involved in the formation of new memories and learning, as well as spatial navigation.
Amygdala
a brain structure involved in emotion regulation, particularly fear and pleasure responses, and plays a crucial role in memory processing.
The Nervous System
the network of cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body, consisting of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Central Nervous System
the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating activity throughout the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
the part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs, facilitating communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Autonomic Nervous System
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.
Sympathetic Nervous System
the part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.
Parasympathetic Nervous SYstem
the division of the autonomic nervous system that promotes the "rest and digest" response, calming the body after stress and conserving energy.
Somatic Nervous System
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements by transmitting signals to skeletal muscles.
Neurons
the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body via electrical and chemical signals.
Glial Cells
supporting cells in the nervous system that provide structural and nutritional support to neurons, assist in signal transmission, and maintain homeostasis.
Motor Neurons
a type of neuron that transmits signals from the central nervous system to muscles, facilitating voluntary movement.
Sensory Neurons
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
interneurons
neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons, processing information within the central nervous system.
Reflex Arc
a neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.
Neural Transmission
When neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals
Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential
Action Potential
brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron
All-or-Nothing Principle
If there’s enough stimulus, action potential will release full-strength
Depolarization
Chemical change from negative to more positive ions to trigger action
Resting Potential
stable, negative electrical charge that exists in a cell membrane when it’s not transmitting signal
Reuptake
extra neurotransmitters being reabsorbed and stored for later
Multiple Sclerosis “MS”
Chronic autoimmune disease that affect CNS
Myasthenia Gravis
Chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction; Disrupts brain to muscle transmit
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
excites a neuron and triggers an action potential
Glutamate
Learning, memory, and neuroplascity
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Decreases likelihood of an action potential
GABA
Relaxation, reducing anxiety
Dopamine
Regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement
Serotonin
Regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress
Endorphins
Body’s natural painkiller
Substance P
Pain Signal
Acetylcholine
Muscle contraction, memory and learning
Hormones
slower chemical messages produced by glands that travel through blood
Ghrelin
Appetite and hunger
Leptin
tells you when you’re full
Melatonin
regulates the sleep-wake cycle
Oxytocin
“Love Hormone”, “Social Bonding”
Adrenaline
Fight or Flight
Norepinephrine
regulates arousal, attentions, and stress. Both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Activates in “fight or flight”
Plasticity
Brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes
Split Brain Research
Disconnecting the two hemispheres of the brain; cut Corpus Callosum
Contralateral Hemispheric Organizatiojn
Each hemisphere controls the other half of the body
Hemispheric Specialization
Each hemisphere had specialized tasks
Linguistic Procesing
complex cognitive process involved in understanding and producing language
Broca’s Area
In the left brain of the frontal lobe. Responsible for speech production and language processing
Broca’s Aphasia
Language Disordering caused by damage to Broca’s Area. From stroke or brain injury
Wernicke’s Area
In the left side of temporal lobe. involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Language disorder due to damage in Wernicke’s Area. Fluent Speech but nonsense
Electroencephalogram “EEG”
Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain. Monitors neurological conditions
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging “fMRI”
Neuroimaging technique to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels. Detailed images of the brain’s structure and function
Lesioning
Cutting up brain, usually with animals
Consciousness
The state of being aware of and able to perceive one’s thoughts, feelings,, and surroundings
Circadian Rhythm
The natural, internal process in charge of the sleep-wake cycle. Repeats roughly every 24 hours and influences patterns of alertness, hormone release, and body temperature
Jet Lag
A temporary disruption or the CR due to rapid travel across multiple time zones
Shift Work
Employment schedules that are outside of typical daytime hours
NREM Stage 1
First stage. Drifting in and out of sleep. Lasts only a few minutes
NREM Stage 2
Second Stage characterized by light sleep. Lasts for about 20 mins
NREM Stage 3
Deepest Stage characterized by the presence of predominantly delta waves. Restores resources
REM Sleep
Characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis
REM Rebound
Phenomenon where the body increases REM sleep after being deprived of it
Activation-Synthesis (Dreams)
A theory that dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during REM sleep. The cerebral cortex tries to make it into a story
Consolidation Theory (Dreams)
A theory that dreams play a role in memory consolidation and the processing of memories. Contributes to memory storage and learning
Insomnia
Sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. Leads to daytime impairment
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness
Sleep Apnea
Sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Disrupts sleep patterns , daytime fatigue, and other health problems
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Sleep disorder where people act out their dreams during REM Sleep
Somnabulism
Sleepwalking. Occurs during NREM stages and can result in injuries or accidents
Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs that alter brain function. Changes mood, perception, consciousness cognition, or behavior