AP Psych Unit 1 Part 1

Nature-Nurture Issue

traits at birth vs. through experiences (Genetic Factors vs. Environmental Factors

Evolutionary Psychology

Natural Selection, the study of the evolution of behavior and mental processes

Natural Selection

inherited traits lead to evolution. The stronger inherited traits outlive the weaker ( Survival of the fittest)

What evolutionary ideas have been used in racist or discriminatory ways?

Eugenics- selectively breeding to promote certain characteristics

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Heredity- genetic characteristics transferring

environment- non genetic influences

Heritability

the extent to which variation among individuals can be attributed to their differing genes

Identical Twins

Single egg splits, genetically identical organisms

Fraternal Twins

2 eggs developed at the same time.

Are identical twins also behaviorally similar than fraternal twins?

yes

Does the treatment identical twins receive have the same effect their similarities.

no, experiments and studies have shown the treatments they receive have no effect

What two groups are compared in adoption studies?

Genetic relatives, Environmental relatives.

What do each set of parents influence?

biological- extravison , agreeableness

environmental- attitudes, values

Epigenetics

-Genes can be either active or inactive d

-How the environment can trigger or block gene expression

Factors: diet, stress, drugs

Nueron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Glial cells

outnumbers neurons 10-1

transports nutrients to neurons, provides myelin, helps neurons line up for communication, cleans waste

Parts of a Nueron

Soma- Neurons Life support and nucleus

Dendrites- branches, receive signals

Axon- where action potential is transmitted down

Terminal buttons- small sacs (synaptic vesicles) that have neurotransmitters necessary to give signals to nearby to pass on the signal.

Myelin Sheath

some glial cells form fatty substances( myelin sheath), which coats and axons, acts as an insulator, increases speed signal travels

Diminished myelin sheath= multiple sclerosis

Firing process overview

Step one: action potential- brief electrical pulse travels down neuron

Step two: Neurotransmitters released into synapse, stimulating nearby neuron.

Action Potential

Messages are stimulated by senses or neighboring neuron, neuron fires impulse to send messages(action potential), brief electrical charge travels down axon

Resting Potential

When the fluid outside is positively charged and negatively charged inside inside the axon, state of readiness.

Depolarization

Process of a cells charge going from negative to positive when a neuron gets stimulated.

Threshold excitation

Threshold needed for action to trigger

What are the two types of neural transmitters

Excitatory neurotransmitters- More likely to fire neurons

Inhibitory neurotransmitters- decreased likely hood of firing neurons

What is minimum excitation threshold( excitement)

-55mv

Refractory Period

Period after firing were the neuron can't fire

All-or-none phenomenon

increasing level of stimulation above the threshold will not increase the intensity of the neural pulse, can increase amount and frequency put not the speed or strength, strength maintained down to the axon

Role of Neural Transmitters

Action potential reaches the synaptic vesicles, terminal buttons release the neural transmitters, transmitters released into synapse, bind to complementary receptors( lock and key relationship), trigger threshold of excitation in other neurons.

Reuptake

after neurons release transmitters, excess reabsorbed into axon terminal it was released.

Acetylcholine

Functions: enables- muscle action, learning, memory

- When the acetylcholine producing neurons deteriorate= Alzheimers

- when acetylcholine transmission is blocked= myasthenia graves( muscles cannot contract)

Dopamine

Functions: Influences- Movement, learning, attention, emotion.

Over supply= schizophrenia

Undersupply= Parkinsons

Serotonin

Functions: affects- mood, hunger, sleep, arousal

Under supply= depression

Drugs that raise serotonin treat depression

Norepinephrine

Functions: Controls- alertness, arousal

Undersupply= depresses mood

GABA

Functions: MAJOR inhibitory transmitter

Undersupply= seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Glutamate

Functions:A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Over supply= overstimulates brain, producing migraines or seizures

Endorphins

Functions: influences- pain perception, pleasure

over supply: (opioids) can suppress the body's natural supply

Substance P

Functions: Involved - pain perception and immune response

Over supply- chronic pain

Central nervous system ( CNS)

brain and spinal cord, where information is sent to be processed

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Sensory(Afferent) Neurons

Sends messages to CNS for processing

Motor( efferent) Neurons

CNS sends instructions to muscles and glands

Interneaurons

Processes and information in brain and spinal cord

What are the two components of the CNS

Brain- Dominant part, complex highly interconnected neural networks

Spinal Cord- Bundle of nervous tissue

long-term potentiation

increased efficiency of neural firing, leads to repeated neuron connections

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus

Reflex arc

single sensory and motor neuron, communicated with other neurons without brain involvement

Somatic Nervous System

( PNS) Carries messages from senses , to CNS, to muscles ( voluntary movements)

Autonomic Nervous System

(PNS) Controls: internal organ muscles, glandular activity, activities outside conscious control.

What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic( fight or flight), arouses, mobilizes energy in stress

Parasympathetic( rest or digest) calms, conserves energy.

Endocrine System

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

Adrenline

Fight or flight, beneficial in short bursts ( raises heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar

Oxytocin

enables orgasms, lactation, and contractions, promotes social bonding

Leptin

Turns off hunger

Ghrelin

turns on hunger

Melatonin

turns on sleep process

What is the most influential endocrine gland ?

Pituitary gland, controlled by hypothalamus

Agonists

increase the activity of a neurotransmitter by mimicking its effects( duplicate key), reuptake inhibitor- leaves transmitters in synapse for longer

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( depression treatment, strengthening serotonin effects)

Antagonists

drugs that block or decrease the function of a neurotransmitter( fake key)

Substance Abuse disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

-diagnosed by American Psychiatric Association criteria

4 big symptoms

-cravings

-continued use despite significant life disruption

- TOLERANCE ( brain adapted to offset drug effects, leads to needing higher doses)

- WITHDRAWL( unpleasant mental or physical reactions when attempting to stop use)

What are the 3 major categories of psychoactive drugs

Depressants- reduce neural activity and slow body functions ( alcohol, barbiturates, opioids- heroin, narcotics)

Stimulants- excite neural activity and speed up body function( caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy)

hallucinogens- distrots perceptions, evokes sensory images (LSD, Marijuana)