Biological approach notes

Neuroplasticity

Process of adapting brain through environmental inputs

Experiment

Manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Field experiment

an experiment conducted in the participants' natural environment

quasi-experiment

A comparison that relies on already-existing groups (i.e., groups the experimenter did not create).

Natural experiment

An experiment in which nature, rather than an experimenter, manipulates an independent variable.

Case study

an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Hippocampus

In limbic system, turns short term memories into long term (but doesn't store them!)

Amygdala

In limbic system, detects fear for fight or flight

Neurotransmitter

a chemical substance released from the axon of a nerve that diffuses across the synapse into the dendrite of another nerve.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal. Undersupply linked to depression.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter

dendrite

Bushy top of nerve cells that receive impulses across synapses.

axon

neuron ending through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

synapse

Gap between neurons

receptor

protein that detects a signal molecule and performs an action in response

inhibitory neurotransmitter

neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to stop firing (e.g GABA)

excitatory neurotransmitter

neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to fire (comparable to starting a car)

agonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

antagonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response

Neural pruning

The destruction of certain neurons to increase the processing speed of the nervous system

long-term potentiation

increase in sensitivity of a neuron after it has been rapidly fired in a short amount of time (increases memory)

neural network

interconnected neuron cells

hormone

the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect

endocrine system

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

oxytocin

stimulates milk in breasts and uterus contraction during labor

adrenaline

released into bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress

testosterone

Male sex hormone (also in women though), attributed with aggression but not proven

pheremone

A chemical released by one animal that affects the behavior of another animal of the same species.

Vomeronasal organ

detects pheromones

Major Histocompatibility complex MHC

Group of genes that code for proteins found on the surfaces of cells that help the immune system recognize foreign substances.

Areolar glands

glands that form bumps in the areola surrounding the nipple

MRI

magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

MAOA

An enzyme that affects the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, preventing antisocial behavior

family studies

researchers assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble one another on a specific trait

Twin studies

researchers assess hereditary influence by comparing the resemblance of identical twins and fraternal twins with respect to a trait

parental investment theory

the theory about the extent of the impact parents have on their kids

biological preparedness

referring to the tendency of animals to learn certain associations, such as taste and nausea, with only one or few pairings due to the survival value of the learning (e.g the electric shocks and snakes)

sexual selection

A form of natural selection in which individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely than other individuals to obtain mates.

natural selection

A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits. This means their traits are optimized for survival from other species as well.