Biological Basis of Behavior and Psychological Theories

The flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the biological basis of behavior, neurological concepts, and important psychological theories.

Heredity

The passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.

Environment

All external conditions and influences affecting the life and development of an organism.

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature is influenced by genetic inheritance and biological factors; nurture refers to external factors after conception.

Genetic Predisposition

An increased chance of developing a disease based on one or more genetic variants and/or a family history.

Evolutionary Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies the mental adaptations of humans to a changing environment.

Natural Selection

The process where certain behaviors and genes that are best for survival tend to be passed on.

Identical Twins

Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg, resulting in two genetically identical organisms.

Fraternal Twins

Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; genetically they are no closer than regular siblings.

Eugenics

The study of how to arrange reproduction within a population to increase heritable characteristics.

Twin Studies

Studies conducted on twins to reveal the importance of environmental and genetic influences on traits.

Adoption Studies

Studies comparing adopted children with their biological and adoptive parents to assess influences on behavior.

Family Studies

Studies that examine the relationship between genetics and mental disorders within families.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, processing and distributing messages.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes all components except the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

The component of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates bodily processes like heart rate and digestion.

Neurons

Individual nerve cells that make up the entire nervous system.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that take information from the senses to the brain.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body.

Interneurons

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

Action Potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

All or None Response

The principle that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron when it is not firing an action potential.

Reuptake

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron after they have performed their function.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps to transmit signals between neurons.

Adrenaline

A hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the fight or flight response

Glial Cells

Cells that provide nutrition and protection to neurons.

Melatonin

A hormone known to regulate sleep and wake cycles.

Ghrelin

Increases hunger, secreted by an empty stomach.

Leptin

Decreases hunger, protein hormone secreted by fat cells.

Oxytocin

A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland that plays a significant role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth.