Pyschology - Unit 1 Part 1

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature- how traits are a result of genetics. Nurture- How traits are result of our experiences.

Natural selection

the principle that the inherited traits that enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed down to succeeding generations.

Evolutionary Psychology

study of evolution of behavior and mind using natural selection.

behavior genetics

study of genetics and environmental influences on behavior.

environment

non genetic influence (surroundings)

genome

instructions for making an organism

monozygotic twins (identical)

2 people who developed from 1 egg that split into to 2

dizygotic (fraternal) twins

individuals who developed from seperate fertilized eggs

Interaction

the interplay that occurs when one factor depnds on another factor.

epigenetics

the study of how environment can influence genetic expression. ex. one kid cant reach full potential because of lacknervo of something

nervous system

bodys electrochemical communication network, consisting the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

Nerves

Bundle of axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles gland and sensory organs

sensory neurons afferent

Sensory neurons carry incoming information from body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

Motor neurons efferent

Carry outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

Inter neurons

Within the brain and spinal cord - communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Somatic NS

Division of the PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles ( voluntary movement )

Automatic NS

Division of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

Sympathetic NS

Division of the automatic NS that arouses the body mobilizing its energy

Parasympathetic NS

Division of the automatic NS that calms the body

Reflex

Simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus

Nerve

Basic building block of the nervous system

Cell body

The cells life support center

Dendrites

Receives messages from the other cells

Axon

Passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons muscles or glands

Myelin sheath

Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Glial cells

Cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintains their environment ( glue of nervous system)

Action potential

A neural impulse a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Threshold

Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Refractory period

A brief resting pause occurs after a neuron has fired. Action potential cannot occur until after it returns to its resting state

All or nothing response

A neurons reaction of either firing or not firing

Synapse

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the desirable cell body of the receiving neuron

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons. When released they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron.

Reuptake

A neurotransmitters reabsorption by sending neuron

Endorphins

Suppression of pain

Agonist

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action ex. Morphine

Antagonist

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action (ex. Haloperidol)

Endocrine system

The body’s slow chemical communication system ; a set of glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine gland travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues

Adrenaline

A hormone and neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal glands typically during stressful, exciting or highly emotional situations

Leptin

Released by fat cells that in concert with ghrelin to regulate appetite

Ghrelin

A hormone produced primarily by the gastrointestinal tract that helps to regulate appetite

Melatonin

Hormone released primarily by the brains pineal gland that regulates the body sleep wake cycle

Oxytocin

Produced by the hypothalamus and released by pituitary gland. Love hormone and plays in socializing romantic relationships and parent child bonding

Acetylcholine

Excited skeletal muscles inhibits heat action memory : Alzheimer’s disease

Dopamine

Movement learning attention motivation and reward : Parkinson’s disease ( too little) schizophrenia ( too much) substance abuse

Seratonin

Sleep arousal mood eating pain perception : depression chronic pain and eating disorders

Norepinephrine

Sleep arousal mood : depression

GABA

Chief inhibitor; regulates arousal : some anxiety disorders and some seizure disorders

Glutamate

Chief excitatory neurotransmitters many diverse functions : neural fealty following head injuries

Substance p

Carries pain signals : link to depression

Psychoactive drug

A chemical substance that alters the brain causing changes in perceptions and moods

Substance use disorder

A disorder characterized by continued substance use despite resulting life disruption

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol

Initial high but cause depression memory loss organ damage and impaired reaction

Barbiturates

Reduce anxiety but causes depressed NS and impairs memory and judgement

Opiates

Rush of euphoria relief from pain but kills endorphins and causes depressed physiology and agonizing withdrawal

Tolerance

Need to make more in order to experience same effect

Addiction

Compulsive substance use that continues despite harmful consequences

Withdrawal

Discomfort following after discontinuing the addictive drug

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Caffeine

Increased alertness and wakefulness but causes anxiety and insomnia

Nicotine

Arousal and relaxation but causes heart disease and cancer

Cocaine

Rush of euphoria and confidence but causes cardiovascular stress and depressive crash

Methamphetamine

Euphoria and alertness but causes cardiovascular stress irritability insomnia and hypertension seizures

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Ecstasy

Emotional elevation and disinhibition and cause dehydration overheating depressed mood and impaired cognitive functioning

LSD

Visual trip that causes risk of panic

Marijuana

Enhance sensation and relief of pain that causes impaired learning and Omer and increased risk of psychological disorders

Near death experience

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death often similar to drug induced hallucinations

Biological psychology

The scientific study of links between biological and psychological processes

Biopsychosocial approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological psychological and social cultural levels of analysis

Levels of analysis

Differing complementary views from biological to psychological to social cultural for analyzing any given phenomenon

Neuroplasticity

The brains ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

EEG

Measures electrical activity in neurons. Electrodes placed on the scalp to measure activity ( depression affects what part of the brain)

MEG

Head cool records magnetic fields from brains natural electrical currents (how ptsd affects brains current)

Ct scan

X rays of the head and can find damage in the brain (falling off bike without helmet would damage what part of the brain?)

Pet

Radioactive glucose injected and where the glucose goes shows which part of the brain is being used

MRI

Magnetic fields being used to provide a map of brain structure

FMRI

Measures blood flow to the brain region and how certain experiences affect blood flow to certain parts of the brain

Hindbrain

Consists of the medulla, pons and cerebellum and directs essential survival functions like breathing sleeping and coordination and balance

Midbrain

Found atop the brainstem connects the hindbrain with the forebrain and controls some motor movement and transmits auditory and visual info

Forebrain

Consists of the cerebral cortex thalamus and hypothalamus. Manages the complex cognitive activities and sensory and association functions and voluntary motor activities

Brainstem

Connection between spinal cord and brain (cerebellum)

Medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

Relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

Reticular formation

Helps control arousal

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such

Limbic system

Neural system located mostly in the forebrain that includes amygdala hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Amygdala

Linked to emotion

Hypothalamus

Controls maintenance functions such as eating helps govern endocrine system linked to emotion and reward

Hippocampus

Linked to conscious memory

Cerebral cortex

Ultimate control and information processing center

Frontal lobes

Problem solving, concentration and reasoning , planning and organizing, personality and behavior.

Pariental lobe

Extremely sensitive, perception, awareness, attention, calculations

Occipital lobe

Think optic, visual system , information processing and visual perceptors

Temporal lobe

Hearing, attention, verbal and visual memories. Helps with balance and understanding language

Motor cortex

Planning controlling and executing

Somatosensory cortex

Touch temp pain and awareness

Association area

Areas of cerebral cortex that isn’t involved in primary motor functions but more abt learning and remembering and speaking.

Neurogenisis

Formation of new neurons