AP Psych Unit 1 Modules 1.4A-C

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

substance use disorder

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

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Tolerance

A progressive decrease in a person's responsiveness to a drug.

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

Barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

Opioids

opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

levels of analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

Neuroplasticity

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

lesion

tissue destruction

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Measures electrical activity in the brain.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

measures magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity

CT (computed tomography) scan

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called CAT scan.

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

measures the levels of activity of different areas of the brain by tracing their consumption of a radioactive form of glucose, the brain's fuel

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses a magnetic field to create a computerized image of internal bodily structures

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

Hindbrain

medulla, pons, cerebellum

An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord

Midbrain

A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward.

Forebrain

The largest and most complicated region of the brain, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum.

Brainstem

The oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.

limbic system

neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

brain region controlling the pituitary gland

Hippocampus

memory

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center

frontal lobe

associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving

parietal lobe

receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

motor cortex

controls voluntary movements

somatosensory cortex

registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex

Neurogenesis

the development of new neurons

corpus callosum

a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain.

split brain

a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them