AP Psych Unit 1 2025

AP Psych Unit 1 Review for the AP Exam

Evolutionary Psychology

Focuses on how evolutionary principles influence human behavior, including behavioral genetics.

Charles Darwin

Proposed the theory of natural selection, stating that traits enhancing survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on.

Behavioral Genetics

Study of how genes and environment interact to influence behavior and mental abilities.

Genes

Segments of DNA that contain instructions for making proteins and influence traits.

Dominant Gene

A gene that expresses its traits even if only one copy is present.

Recessive Gene

A gene that only expresses its traits when paired with another recessive gene.

Punnett Squares

A diagram used to predict genetic outcomes but not required in this class.

Sickle-Cell Anemia

A genetic disorder that occurs when a person has two copies of the recessive gene.

Sensitive Period

A critical time in development when specific environmental influences are particularly impactful.

Imprinting

A form of learning where a young animal forms attachments during a sensitive period.

Temperament

A genetically influenced personality trait affecting behavior and responses to the environment.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that behavior, environment, and personal factors influence each other.

Identical Twins

Twins that develop from one fertilized egg and share the same genetic makeup.

Fraternal Twins

Twins that develop from two separately fertilized eggs and share about 50% of their genes.

Minnesota Twin Studies

Research conducted by Dr. Thomas Bouchard examining the heritability of traits in twins.

Heritability

The extent to which genetics contributes to the variability of a trait within a population.

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, and is responsible for processing information.

Peripheral Nervous System

Includes all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, responsible for transmitting information.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary body functions, like heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system activated in stressful situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body after a stress response.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls reflex actions, bypassing the brain for faster responses.

Soma (Neuron)

Cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus and essential cellular components.

Dendrites

Branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

The long, thin extension of a neuron that sends electrical signals away from the soma.

Terminal Branches

The end points of axons, where neurotransmitters are released into the synapse.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease caused by the degradation of the myelin sheath affecting nerve communication.

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that carry sensory information to the central nervous system.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that carry motor commands from the central nervous system to muscles.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect afferent and efferent neurons and facilitate communication.

Neurotransmission

The process of communication between neurons via chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Neural Firing

The process that sends electrical impulses through neurons.

Resting Potential

The stable, negative charge of a neuron when it is not firing.

Action Potential

A temporary shift in charge that occurs when a neuron fires.

Refractory Period

A short period after a neuron fires when it cannot fire again.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that promote the firing of neurons.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that prevent neuronal firing.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood, emotion, and sleep regulation.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter important for muscle activation and memory.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and alertness, especially during danger.

Glutamate

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes calmness.

Endorphins

Natural pain relief chemicals produced by the body.

Substance P (SP)

A neurotransmitter involved in the perception of pain.

Agonists

Substances that activate neurotransmitter receptors.

Antagonists

Substances that block neurotransmitter receptors.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect behavior and mental processes.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream that affect bodily functions.

Adrenaline

A hormone that prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response during stress.

Leptin

A hormone that signals satiety and regulates energy balance.

Ghrelin

The hormone that stimulates hunger and promotes food intake.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with childbirth and emotional bonding.

Brain Hemispheres

The two halves of the brain that control different functions and sides of the body.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions like thinking and perception.

Frontal Lobe

The brain area responsible for executive functions, personality, and motor control.

Temporal Lobe

The area responsible for processing auditory information and memory.

Parietal Lobe

The part of the brain that processes sensory information like touch and pain.

Occipital Lobe

The area of the brain responsible for visual processing.

Brain Stem

Part of the brain responsible for basic life functions like heartbeat and respiration.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate. - Not System

Pons

Relays information between the cerebellum and the cerebrum.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and helps maintain balance.

Limbic System

A group of structures involved in emotion and memory processing.

Thalamus

Acts as a relay station for sensory information to the cortex.

Hippocampus

Essential for forming new memories and learning.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body temperature, hunger, and hormonal processes.

Corpus Callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Phineas Gage

A pivotal case study in neuroscience illustrating the impact of brain injury.

Lesions

Areas of tissue that have been damaged due to injury or disease.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

A test that records electrical activity in the brain.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique used to view soft tissues in the body, including the brain.

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Sleep Stages

Different phases of sleep, including NREM and REM.

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep, which includes several stages of deeper sleep.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, characterized by high brain activity and dreaming.

Insomnia

The inability to fall or stay asleep, affecting overall health.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

Engaging in complex behaviors while in a state of sleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks.

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors and nervous system receive stimulus.

Transduction

The conversion of sensory input into neural signals.

Absolute Threshold

The minimal stimulus detected 50% of the time.

Difference Threshold (Just Noticeable Difference)

The smallest amount of change needed to detect a difference in stimulus.

Sensory Adaptation

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation.

Synesthesia

A condition in which one sense is simultaneously perceived as another.

Color Vision Theories

Trichromatic and opponent-process theories explaining how we perceive colors.

Trichromatic Theory

Suggests we have three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue.

Opponent-Process Theory

Suggests color perception is controlled by three opposing color pairs.

Gustation (Taste)

The sense of taste, involving receptors on the tongue.

Olfaction (Smell)

The sense of smell, involving receptors in the nasal cavity.

Taste Receptors (Papillae)

Bumps on the tongue that detect different taste sensations.

Chemical Senses

Taste and smell are considered chemical senses due to their nature of sensory processing.

Auditory Processing (Hearing)

The process through which our ears receive and interpret sound waves.