Unit 1 - AP Psych

1.1-13b so far

Nature - nurture issue

An age long debate about the contributions of genetics and environment in shaping traits.

Natural selection

The principle that suggests only the best genes will get pass down to offspring, by Charles Darwin.

Evolutionary psychology

A branch of psychology that studies the evolution of behaviour and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

behaviour genetics

looking at the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour

heredity

Genetic factors, from before birth

Environment

External factors after birth, like surroundings and habits

Mutation

random error in gene replication that makes us different

interaction

the combined effect/mesh that happens when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Identical (monozygotic) twins

twins that share the same DNA

Fraternal (dizygotic) twins

Twin that have different DNA (since they come from different eggs)

Genes

sections of our DNA that control specific traits

epigenetics

tags on some sections of the genomes that turns the gene on or off that are affected by environment

Genome

all of the DNA combined

nervous system

The body’s quick, electrochemical communication network

Central nervous system

the part of the nervous system that makes decisions, the brain and the spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the “outside” nervous system responsible for sensing and motor that connects the CNS to the rest of the body

nerves

bundled axons that make neural cables for neuron to transmit information, connecting CNS to organs

reflex

simple automatic response that doesn’t go to our brain (spinal core makes the decision)

sensory neurons

the neurons that sense stuff and serves as input (and send to interneurons)

motor neurons

neurons that controls our skelectic mucules

interneurons

neurons that transmit the information to the brain

somatic nervous system

part of the PNS that we can control (affects skelectic muscles)

Autonomic nervous system

part of PNS that we can’t control (affects organs and glands)

sympathetic nervous system

part of ANS that prepares body for action, triggers fight-or-flight response

parasympathetic nervous system

part of ANS that calms the body, promoting rest and digest

homeostasis

the stable and balance internal state sympathetic and parasympathetic is always trying to reach

examples of sympathetic NS

increase heart rate, pupils dilate, digestions slows

examples of parasympathetic NS

decrease heart beat, pupils retracts, stimulate digestion

Neuron

The bases of the nervous system, transmit using electrochemical signals

Soma

the cell body

dendrites

attach to the cell body to receive messages

axon

the long “cable” that the action potential (electrical signal) travel through

myelin sheath

Covers the axon of some neurons to help speed up neural impulse (if breaks down → multiple selerosis) 

glial cells

the supporting cells that provide nutrition, structure, insulation, cleans up waste, guide neural connections (like worker bees)

Action potential

The electrical signal that is fired by neurons to send a message

threshold

The amount of excitatory neural signals needed to outnumber the inhibitory neural signals, so that the action potential is triggered

refractory period

The period when the neuron repolarize to prepare for the next firing.

all-or-none response

The type of response neurons give to stimulants (either they fire, or they don’t, no in between)

synapse (synaptic gap)

The gap in between two neurons (that neurotransmitters go through)

neurotransmitters

The chemical signal that neurons send out to other neurons

reuptake

The thing the sending neuron does after it sends out the neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle and learning; have alzheimers if producing neurons deteriorates (and paralysis if blocked)

Dopamine

Influence movement, learning, emotion; over = schizophrenia; under = parkinsons/tremors

Serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal; under = depression → SSRI

Norepinephrine

Affects alertness and arousal; under = depress

GABA

main inhibitory neurotransmitter; over= seizures, tremors, insomnia

Glutamate

main excitatory, involved in memory; over = overstimulated brain

Endorphin

Influence perception of plan/pleasure, natural opiate (painkiller); oversupply with drugs= suppress natural supply

Substance P

Influence pain perception and immune system; over= chronic pain

agonist

A chemical that mimics a neurotransmitter (so increase activity)

antagonist

stuff that blocks the receptor for the neurotransmitter (inhibits actions)

endocrine system

The body’s slower, more long-lasting chemical communication system

hormones

The chemical messengers for the endocrine system that travels through blood streams

pituitary gland

The master gland that is responsible for releasing growth, sex hormones, and oxytocin

cortisol

A stress hormones release by adrenal gland that increase blood sugar (common measure for stress level in experiments)

psychoactive drug

Drugs that affect your mental or behavioural processes

Substance use disorder

When one continues to use the drug despite significant life disruption

Tolerance

When one needs a higher dosage of the drug to get the same effect as before, as brain chemistry adapts to the effect of it.

Depressant

A type of drug that slows/decrease neural activity (blocks neurotransmitters)

Addiction

Compulsive use despite harmful consequences

withdrawl

Discomfort after stop using drugs

Barbiturates

A type of depressant that is commonly prescribed for relieving anxiety

opioids

A type of depressant that depress neural activity, temporarily lessen pain and anxiety (in Heroin)

Stimulants

Type of drugs that increases neural activity (stimulate neurotransmitters)

Hallucinogens

Type of drugs that causes distorted perception and cognition

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, similar to drug-induced hallucinations.