ap psych unit 1

Evolutionary psychology

how are humans alike?

Behavior genetics

How are humans different?

Genes

Segments of DNA

Identical twins

Share 99.9% of their genes

Fraternal twins

Twins that develop from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm cells, no more similar than regular siblings

Epigenetics

study of molecular mechanisms in which environments trigger or block genetic expressions

Gestation

Sperm combines with egg, nuclei combine to form a zygote. The amount of time a baby is in mother's womb

Teratogens

Stuff pregnant women can’t consume

Nervous system

Neurons which communicate via neurotransmitters

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain & spinal cord. Body’s decision maker— recieves info, processes sensory input, coordinates movement.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Gathers info

Transmits CNS decisions

Contains SOMATIC and AUTONOMIC nervous systems

Sensory Neurons/ Afferent Neurons

Carry messages from tissues to brain and spinal cord

Motor neurons / Efferent neurons

Carry instructions from CNS to muscles and glands

Interneurons/Relay neurons

Processes info from sensory input & motor output

Somatic Nervous System

Enables control and movement of skeletal muscles (ex: driving)

Autonomic nervous system

Controls self--regulating actions of internal organs & glands (ex: heartbeat)

Contains SYMPATHETIC and PARASYMPATHETIC nervous systems

Sympathetic Nervous System

AROUSES energy (ex: raises blood pressure, slows digestion)

“Fight or flight”

Parasympathetic nervous system

Calms

Opposite of sympathetic

“Rest and digest”

Spinal cord

Connects PNS with brain

Governs reflexes

Reflex arc

Automatic nerve pathway that controls an involuntary response to stimulus (ex: finger touching hot stove”

Building block of nervous system

Nerves

Dendrite fibers

Apart of a neuron which recieves information

Axon fiber

Apart of neuron, passes messages through branches

Myelin sheath

Encases axon fiber, is a layer of tissue which speed impulses

If deteriorated, slows control and cognition

Glial cells

Supports nerve cells, provide nutrients, supports memory & thinking

Resting potential

When neurons fire impulses when stimulated

Excitatory neural signals

Accelerates

Inhibitory neural signals

Slows

Threshold

If exceeded past this point by an excitatory signal, creates an action potential

All or none response

Neurons either fire or don’t fire

Synapse

Meeting point between neurons

Neurotransmitters

How neurons communicate across gaps

Reuptake

Excess neurotransmitters drift away to be broken down or reabsorbed into neuron

Refractory period

A break for neurons where action potentials cannot occur

Endorphins

Painkilling, pleasure, similar to morphine

Abundance of endorphin drugs

Brain stops producing natural opioids, withdrawal symptoms, disrupts brain chemicals

Agonist

Activate receptors in the synapse (dopamine, serotonin)

Antagonist

Decrease neurotransmitters action

Stop receptors, sometimes permanently disable

Endocrine System

Body’s slow chemical communication system

Slower than neural messages, but outlast them

Hormones

Secreted by endocrines

Impact interest in food, anger

Pituitary Gland

Most influential endocrine gland

Releases oxycotin, growth hormone

Directs other endocrine glands

Psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that alter the brain

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity

Alcohol (depressant)

Causes: brain shrinkage, slow processing, memory formations

Barbiturate drugs

Tranquilizers, impair memory and judgement

Opioids

Produces pleasure, addicts need more and more, withdrawal

Stimulants

Excite neural activity

Nicotine

Stimulant

Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, cigars, tobacco

Releases neurotransmitters

As addictive as heroin and cocaine

Cocaine

Stimulant

Intense craving and crash after use

Stimulates the brains reward pathways

Methamphetamine

Stimulant

Triggers release of dopamine, reduces baseline dopamine over time

Ecstasy/MDMA/Molly

Stimulant and mild hallucinogen

Dopamine and stored serotonin release

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs

Similar to near death experience- altered state of consciousness after brush with death

LSD/Acid

Hallucinogen

Causes euphoria, panic, etc

Marijuana

Mild hallucinogen

Amplifies sensistivity to colors, sounds, tastes, feels

Relaxes, impairs coordination and reaction time

Over time impairs attention, learning, memory

Biological psychologists

Use technology to study links between biological processes and psychology

Biopsychosocial approach

Way to analyze behavior using a combination of biology, psychology, and social-culture

Neuroplasticity

The brains ability to change by reorganizing after damage or experience

Greatest in childhood

EEG

Amplified recording of electrical activity across surface of brain

Shown through shower caps with electrodes on the scalp

MEG

Measures magnetic fields from the brains natural electrical activity

CT scan

Examines brain through X ray photographs

Can reveal brain damage

PET

Depicts brain activity by showing brain areas consumption of glucose

MRI

Magnetic fields and radio waves produce computer generated images of soft tissue

Shows brain anatomy

fMRI

reveals functioning of the brain as well as structure, like a regular MRI would