Midterm

Cochlea

The spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into neural signals.

Basilar membrane

A membrane within the cochlea that vibrates in response to sound, aiding in sound detection.

Middle ear

The part of the ear between the eardrum and cochlea, which includes the ossicles (tiny bones that amplify sound).

Inner ear

The part of the ear that contains the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs.

Auditory nerve

The nerve responsible for transmitting auditory information from the cochlea to the brain.

Brain plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life in response to injury or learning.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate about the relative influence of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) on human behavior and development.

Genetic predispositions

Inherited tendencies or traits that make an individual more likely to develop certain behaviors or conditions.

Endocrine system

The system of glands that release hormones to regulate bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and mood.

Autonomic nervous system

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

Peripheral nervous system

The network of nerves that exists outside the central nervous system, connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Action potentials

The electrical impulses that travel down the axon of a neuron to transmit information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals across synapses.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and increase feelings of pleasure.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

Agonist

A substance that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or reduces the effect of a neurotransmitter.

Interneurons

Neurons that communicate between sensory and motor neurons, typically found in the brain and spinal cord.

Motor neurons

Neurons that carry information from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.

Sensory neurons

Neurons that carry sensory information from sensory receptors to the brain or spinal cord.

Myelin sheath

The fatty layer surrounding the axons of some neurons that speeds up electrical impulses.

Michael Gazzaniga

A psychologist known for his research on split-brain patients, investigating the brain’s lateralization of function.

Replication

Repeating a study to verify its findings and ensure reliability.

Random sampling

A method of selecting participants in which everyone in a population has an equal chance of being chosen.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups randomly to ensure that results are not biased.

Operational definitions

Clear, precise definitions of variables that allow for measurement and replication.

Double-blind procedure

A research method where both the participants and researchers are unaware of which group participants are in, reducing bias.

Correlation coefficients

A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to +1, with 0 indicating no relationship.

REM sleep

A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movement, vivid dreams, and increased brain activity.

NREM sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep, which includes stages 1-3 and is marked by slower brain activity and physical restoration.

Sleep cycle

The pattern of cycling through NREM and REM stages during sleep, typically occurring every 90 minutes.

Dream theories

Theories explaining the purpose and meaning of dreams, including Freud’s psychoanalytic theory and the activation-synthesis theory.

Medulla

The part of the brainstem that controls basic life-sustaining functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Cerebellum

The brain region responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control.

Thalamus

The brain’s relay station, directing sensory information (except smell) to the appropriate areas of the cortex.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.

Occipital lobes

The brain lobes located at the back of the head, responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal lobes

The brain lobes located on the sides of the head, responsible for processing auditory information and language.

Visual cortex

The area of the brain in the occipital lobe responsible for processing visual information.

Framing

The way information is presented, which can influence decision-making and judgment.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified generalizations about groups of people.

Perceptual adaptation

The brain’s ability to adjust to changes in sensory input, like altered vision or hearing.

Perceptual set

A mental predisposition to perceive things in a certain way based on expectations or experiences.

Serial processing

The cognitive process of handling information one step at a time, as opposed to parallel processing.

Selective attention

Focusing attention on a specific stimulus while ignoring others.

Spacing effect

The phenomenon where information is better retained if learning is spread out over time.

Serial position effect

The tendency to recall the first and last items in a list better than the middle items.

Long-term potentiation

The strengthening of synapses based on repeated stimulation, thought to be a mechanism of learning and memory.

Automatic processing

The unconscious encoding of information, such as space, time, and frequency.

Dual processing

The theory that information is processed simultaneously through two channels: conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit).

Drug tolerance

The reduced effectiveness of a drug after repeated use, leading to the need for higher doses.

Withdrawal

The symptoms that occur when a person stops using a drug, typically the opposite of the drug’s effects.

Addiction

A compulsive need for and use of a substance despite harmful consequences.