AP Psychology: Unit 1

Nature

Genetics and biological factors influencing behavior.

Nurture

Environmental influences on learning and behavior.

Language Acquisition

Process of learning language through exposure.

Noam Chomsky's Theory

Genetic predisposition for language learning.

Universal Grammar Theory

Innate ability to understand language structure.

Behavior Conditioning

Behavior shaped by rewards and punishments.

Epigenetics

Environmental impact on gene expression without DNA change.

Mother Rat Studies

Research showing environment affects nurturing behaviors.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

Increase in synaptic efficacy from high-frequency stimulation.

Enriched Environments

Settings that enhance learning and memory in rats.

Identical Twins

Monozygotic twins sharing the same genetic material.

Fraternal Twins

Dizygotic twins from two separate eggs.

Minnesota Twin Study

Research on twins raised apart over 35 years.

Heritability

Genetic contribution to variation in traits.

Highly Heritable Traits

Traits more common in identical twins than fraternal.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord controlling survival functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nervous system excluding brain and spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activates 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Promotes 'rest and digest' functions.

Behavioral Genetics

Study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Twin Studies Purpose

Assess nature vs. nurture in traits.

Influence of Culture

Culture shapes personality and social behavior.

Environmental Factors

External conditions affecting genetic expression.

Gene-Environment Interaction

How genes and environment influence each other.

Psychological Traits

Characteristics shaped by both genetics and environment.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares body for fight-or-flight response.

Epinephrine

Hormone released during stress; increases heart rate.

Cortisol

Stress hormone that regulates metabolism and immune response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms body after stress, promotes rest and digestion.

Neurogenesis

Process of growing new neurons in the brain.

Sensory Neurons

Detect stimuli; send afferent signals to brain.

Motor Neurons

Control muscle movements; send efferent signals from brain.

Interneurons

Connect sensory and motor neurons; facilitate reflexes.

Reflex Arc

Pathway that bypasses the brain for quick responses.

Neurons

Primary communication cells of the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Support neurons and facilitate chemical signaling.

Neural Impulse Speed

Neural messages travel at 330 mph.

Nature vs. Nurture

Both influence human development and behavior.

Epigenetics

Environmental factors can modify genetic expression.

Twin Studies

Research method to explore genetic vs. environmental influences.

Afferent Signals

Signals that arrive at the brain from sensory neurons.

Efferent Signals

Signals that exit the brain to control body actions.

Pupil Dilation

Sympathetic response that enhances vision.

Digestion Suppression

Sympathetic response that slows down digestive processes.

Mnemonic: S.A.M.E.

Sensory = Afferent, Motor = Efferent.

Neural Communication

Process of transmitting signals between neurons.

Reflex Example

Pulling hand away from a hot surface.

Neural Firing

Rapid transmission of signals in the nervous system.

Final Summary

Nervous system functions are critical for survival.

Soma

Cell body containing nucleus, maintains neuron health.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures receiving messages for soma.

Axon

Tube transmitting electrical impulses from soma.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty layer insulating axons, speeding transmission.

Axon Terminal

End of axon where neurotransmitters are released.

Terminal Buttons

Bubbles at axon terminals connecting to other neurons.

Synapse

Gap between neurons for neurotransmitter transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals transmitting signals across synapses.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Increase likelihood of next neuron firing.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Decrease likelihood of next neuron firing.

Resting Potential

Inactive state of neuron at -70 millivolts.

Firing Threshold

Minimum stimulation required for neuron to fire.

Action Potential

Electrical impulse traveling down the axon.

Depolarization

Positive charge inside neuron during action potential.

Refractory Period

Brief recovery time after neuron fires.

Reuptake

Process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed by neurons.

Synaptic Vesicles

Contain neurotransmitters, release them into synapse.

Neural Firing

Shift in electrical energy triggering neuron activation.

Neural Networks

Interconnected neurons communicating efficiently.

DSATS

Acronym for neuron firing sequence: Dendrite, Soma, Axon, Terminal.

Polarization

State of neuron at resting potential.

Neural Messages

Signals transmitted through electrical impulses.

Neural Disorders

Conditions linked to myelin issues, like MS.

Microscopic Axons

Tiny axons requiring microscope for visibility.

Sciatic Nerve

Long axon running from lower back to toes.

All-or-None Law

Neuron fires fully or not at all.

Threshold Reached

Sufficient neurotransmitters trigger neuron firing.

Neural chain

Sequence of events in neuron firing.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the nervous system.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Stimulate neural activity and increase firing.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Reduce neural activity and decrease firing.

Glutamate

Abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter, acts as CNS brakes.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Involved in movement, learning, and memory.

Dopamine

Linked to pleasure, movement, attention, and learning.

Endorphins

Natural painkillers, reduce pain and induce reward.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Boosts energy, involved in fight or flight.

Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)

Enhances arousal, alertness, and vigilance.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and dreams.

Alzheimer's disease

Associated with diminished acetylcholine functioning.

Parkinson's disease

Linked to lack of dopamine in the brain.

Schizophrenia

Excess dopamine thought to contribute to symptoms.

Reuptake process

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters into presynaptic neuron.

Agonists

Mimic neurotransmitters, enhance their effects.

Antagonists

Block neurotransmitter effects at receptor sites.

Direct agonists

Mimic neurotransmitters, bind to receptors.

Indirect agonists

Block reuptake, increasing neurotransmitter availability.

Heroin

Agonist for endorphins, mimics natural painkillers.

Nicotine

Agonist that enhances acetylcholine activity.