Neuron and Brain Vocabulary (1.1-1.2)

Nature (Heredity)

Genetics or predisposed characteristics that influence human thought and behavior.

Nurture (Environment)

External factors that one experiences, such as family interactions, culture, media, or education.

Evolutionary perspective

A psychological approach that explains modern behaviors in terms of their adaptive value for survival and reproduction in our ancestral environments.

Natural selection

The process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce over many generations, passing these beneficial traits to future generations.

Eugenics

A discredited and unethical movement that attempted to "improve" the human population by controlling reproduction based on genetic traits.

Identical (monozygotic) twins

Twins developed from a single sperm and single egg that splits; share 100% of their genes.

Fraternal (dizygotic) twins

Twins developed from two separate fertilized eggs, sharing about 50% of their genes like typical siblings.

Twins studies

Research comparing similarities between identical and fraternal twins raised together or apart to understand how genes and environment influence traits and behaviors.

Adoption studies

Research examining similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families to understand genetic and environmental influences.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system

All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system controlling voluntary movements.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system controlling involuntary, automatic functions.

Sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that is activated during times of stress to prepare the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that is activated to return the body to a calm, resting state (often called 'rest and digest').