AP Psychology: Final Review (UNITS: 0 &1)

For Mrs. Small's AP Psychology class

Amygdala

A small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture.

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres.

Medulla

A vital structure located at the base of the brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

Hypothalamus

A small, but powerful structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions, including food, fight and flight, fornication, and the sleep-wake cycle.

Hippocampus

A curved structure located within the brain’s temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories.

Visual cortex

The part of your brain that takes what your eyes see and turns it into pictures you understand.

Broca’s Area

Located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe that is responsible for speech production and language processing.

The Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls reflex actions, allowing for rapid, automatic responses to sensory stimuli without conscious thought (primitive reflexes).

The Somatic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary movements and relaying sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.

The Sympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for activating the body’s “Fight, Flight, or Freeze” response in times of stress or danger.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for promoting relaxation and restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger; “Rest or Digest”.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system through muscle contraction, memory, and learning.

GABA

Inhibitory transmitter that slows things down, calming the central nervous system; “natural tranquilizer”; contributes to motor control and vision.

Serotonin

Hormone that’s connected to feelings of well-being and happiness. It regulates the sleep cycle along with melatonin, and regulation of intestinal movements.

Endorphins

Relieve pain and stress; brain’s “natural aspirin or tylenol”; feelings of pleasure/euphoria.

Stages of Sleep

• NREM-1: Falling asleep. You’re barely asleep and can wake up easily.

• NREM-2: Light sleep. Your body slows down (heart rate + breathing).

• NREM-3: Deep sleep. Hard to wake up; your body repairs itself.

• REM sleep: Dream sleep. Brain is active, eyes move, most dreaming happens.

Opiate

A psychoactive drug that acts on opioid receptors in the brain and body, producing pain relief, euphoria, and sedation.

Amphetamine

A medication used in the management and treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy; classified as a CNS stimulant.

Depressant

Drugs that slow down neural activity and bodily functions.

Stimulant

Drugs that increase neural activity and arousal, leading to heightened alertness, attention, and energy levels.

Neurons

Specialized cells that serve as building blocks of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.

Sensory Neurons

Specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors, such as those in the skin, muscles, and organs to the central nervous system.

Glial Cells

The “support” cells of the nervous system, provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Hormone produced in high stress or exciting situations, physical boost, and heightened awareness.

Norepinephrine

Hormone associated with response to danger, attention & responding actions in the brain.

Oxytocin

Powerful hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, regulating social interactions and sexual reproduciton.

Reticular Formation

A network of neurons in the brainstem that controls arousal, alertness, and sleep–wake cycles.

Parietal Lobe

Sensory processing hub that functions in processing sensory information like touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Thalamus

A relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory information, such as sight, sound, touch, and taste, to the cerebral cortex.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain.

Computed tomography (CT)

A brain scan that uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of the brain’s structure.

Positron-emission tomography (PET)

A brain scan that shows which parts of the brain are active by tracking a tiny radioactive sugar that goes to active neurons.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels.

Occipital lobe

Visual processing center that functions in processing visual information recieved from the eyes.

Temporal lobe

Auditory center that functions in processing auditory information like language comprehension, and memory formation.

Frontal lobes

Executive control center that functions in controlling problem solving and rational thinking.

Accommodation

The process by which the lens of the eye changes its shape to focus on objects at different distances. It allows for clear vision of both nearby and distant objects by adjusting the curvature of the lens.

Sensory adaptation

The process by which sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time.

Weber's law

The perceived difference in a stimulus must be proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus.

Assimilation

When you fit new information into what you already know.