AP Psych Unit 1

Nature vs. Nurture

Psychological issue that questions if our personalities and character traits are caused by our genes or our environment

Natural Selection

A evolutionary process where genes that are more fit for survival are selected and are passed on to the next generation

Evolutionary Psychology

A field of psychology that studies whether or not our psychological state genetically evolved to where it is today

Behavior Genetics

The relationship between genetics and shown behaviors

Mutations

A unsolicited change in genetic material that changes a person

Environment

The surroundings and conditions of a person

Heredity

The passage of genes and traits from one generation to the next

Genome

Collection of all 20,000 individual genes

Gene

Individual instruction packets for the body

Monozygotic Twins

Identical Twins

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal Twins

Interaction

Effects of genes and environment on each other and on behavior

Epigenetics

Way that our environment influences our genes, thereby influencing our development and behavior

Eugenics

Practice of weeding out those deemed “undesirable”, based on a flawed exaggeration of genetics role in behavior

Nervous System

A system of neurons that communicate across the body with neurotransmitters

Central Nervous System

Made up of the brain and the spine, makes decisions for the body

Peripheral Nervous System

All other nerves, gathers information from body parts and relays instructions from Central Nervous System

Nerves

Link the CNS with other body parts, acts as a cable to transmit information

Sensory Neurons

Carry messages to the CNS for processing. Also called Afferent Neurons

Motor Neurons

Carry messages from CNS for execution. Also called Efferent Neurons

Interneurons

Act as an in-between between sensory and motor neurons

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary muscle movements, is conscious

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls automatic muscle and gland functions like heart beat and hormone secretion, is unconscious but can sometimes be consciously overridden

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS, controls body arousal and mobilizes energy in emergency situations

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the ANS, calms body after emergency situations

Reflex Arc

An automatic response to stimuli, where a sensory neuron bypasses the brain and causes a reaction from a motor neuron to avoid danger. Movement occurs before brain gets info

Neurons

Building blocks of our neural information system. Made up of a cell body with dendrites that receive messages, and axons, which pass messages

Myelin Sheath

A layer of fatty tissue that encases axons, insulates and speeds them up. Degeneration causes lower control and reaction time

Glial Cells

Neurons helper cells, provide nutrients to neurons and insulate them. Help with memory and information transmission. Higher count correlates with higher intelligence.

Action Potential

An electrical charge sent by neurons to communicate with other neurons. These travel very quickly

Resting Potential

First stage of an action potential, where there is a positive charge outside of the neuron and a negative one inside, causing the “gate” to be closed

Depolarization

Second stage of an action potential, where the charge difference is eliminated, which causes the gate to open, causing the next charge difference to be eliminated, etc.

Excitatory Signals

An accelerator signal that increases the likelihood of an action potential

Inhibitory Signals

A brake signal that decreases the likelihood of an action potential

Threshold

A level of excitation that must occur for an action potential’s gate to open. Occurs when excitatory signals overpower inhibitory signals

Refractory Period

Rest period of a neuron after an action potential, where it must recharge before another action potential can occur

All or None Response

A description of an action potential’s power, since the neuron can either fire or not fire, and does not have different intensities

Synapse

A gap between two neurons, which ensures that axons and dendrites do not touch. Synaptic gap is where neurons communicate to each other and neurotransmitters are released. Has excitatory or inhibitory atoms to determine if the next neuron will fire or not

Reuptake

Process where excess neurotransmitters are either broken down by enzymes or are reabsorbed by the original neuron. Having more neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap increases their effect in the short term, but without reuptake the effect is decreased in the long term since they are not reused

ACh

A neurotransmitter with the function of muscle action, learning, and memory. Shortage can cause Alzeheimers

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter with the function of movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Shortage can cause Parkinsons while excess can cause schizophrenia

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter with the function of mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Shortage can cause depression

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter with the function of alertness and arousal. Shortage can cause worsening moods

GABA

A neurotransmitter with inhibitory functions. Shortage can cause seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter with excitatory functions and memory functions. Excess can cause migraines and seizures

Endorphins

A neurotransmitter with the function of regulating pain and pleasure. Synthetic excess due to opioid use can cause a shortage of natural endorphins

Substance P

A neurotransmitter with the function of pain perception. Excess can cause chronic pain

Myasthenia Gravis

A disease caused by an ACh deficiency, causes muscle fatigue and paralysis

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease caused by Myelin Sheath destruction and glutamate

Agonists

Drugs that mimic neurotransmitters effects

Antagonists

Drugs that block receptor sites, blocking neurotransmitter effects

Endocrine System

A secondary communication system interconnected with the nervous system. It secretes hormones which affect the brain and other biological processes. Some hormones are identical to neurotransmitters, but are slower to take effect while having a longer effect

Adrenaline

A hormone that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar in fight or flight situations. Similar to norepinephrine

Oxytocin

A hormone that causes orgasm, and causes labor and milk flow in women

Melatonin

A hormone that induces sleep

Leptin

A hormone that affects long term energy balance. Shortage can cause obesity

Ghrelin

A hormone that causes hunger. Excess causes more hunger and less of a satiated feeling

Pituitary Gland

A gland in the brain that secretes and controls hormones

Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs that affect and alter the brain

Substance Use Disorder

A psychological condition caused by use of psychoactive drugs that causes diminished control, social functions, or hazardous use

Tolerance

Condition where your body becomes so accustomed to drugs that a “normal” dose does not elicit a response, and the dose must be increased

Addiction

A psychological condition where your body relies on a drug and cannot go without it

Withdrawal

A medical condition where your body is not used to being off a drug, which causes intense physical symptoms

Depressants

Psychoactive drugs which calm neural activity and slow bodily functions

Alcohol

A depressant that causes relaxation and inhibition, and can cause depression, memory loss, organ damage, and impaired reactions. Lowers glutamate and raises GABA levels to cause an extremely inhibitory effect

Opioids

A depressant that depresses neural function and is used as a pain reliever. Can cause brain to stop producing endorphins and overdose

Heroin

A depressant and opioid that causes euphoria and kills pain. Can cause depression and loss of natural endorphins. Raises dopamine levels to cause euphoria

Stimulants

Psychoactive drugs which excite neural activity, cause pupil dilation, increase in heart rate, and increase in energy and self confidence

Nicotine

A stimulant that causes arousal and relaxation. Can cause heart disease and cancer

Caffeine

A stimulant that causes alertness and wakefulness. Can cause anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia

Cocaine

A stimulant that causes euphoria, confidence, and energy. Can cause cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, and a depressive crash. Uses up brain’s dopamine supplies and blocks reuptake to induce short term euphoria

Ecstasy

A stimulant and hallucinogen that causes emotional elevation and disinhibition. Can cause dehydration, overheating, depression, and immune functions

Hallucinogens

Psychoactive drugs which distort perception and evoke sensory images through hallucinations

Marijuana

A hallucinogen that causes enhanced sensation, lowers pain, distorts time, and causes relaxation. Can cause impaired learning, memory, and increases risk of psychoactive disorders. Raises dopamine levels to cause euphoria

Near Death Experience

An altered state of consciousness that often features tunnels, bright lights, replays of old memories, and out of body sensations. Very similar to hallucinogenic drugs

Biological Psychologists

People who study the links between biological and psychological processes

Biopsychosocial Approach

Combination of three levels of analysis to come to conclusions

Neuroplasticity

The act of the brain changing in response to life events, can include rewiring due to damage or drug use. Very strong in childhood

Lesions

Damaged brain tissue, can be studied to see how the brain works

EEG

Amplified readout of electrical activity in the brain. Helps pinpoint where specific activity occurs

CT Scan

An X-Ray of the brain. Helps reveal where damage is

PET Scan

A scan of the brain that tracks a tracker molecule. Shows what parts of the brain are active.

MRI

Magnetic scan of the brain, which shows detailed photos of soft tissue. Can help show detailed parts of the brain

fMRI

A series of MRIs that shows blood flow during events. Can help show what parts of the brain are active

Brainstem

A structure that connects the brain to the spine. Controls unconscious actions like breathing, heart beat, and metabolism. Damage causes death

Medulla Oblongata

The connection between the brainstem and the spine

Thalamus

The control center of the brain, receives all non-smell sensory information and sends it to the correct brain part to analyze. Damage causes loss of senses

Reticular Formation

A filter for sensory information that goes to the thalamus. Controls arousal and alertness. Damage causes coma

Cerebellum

Voluntary and complex movement controller, sits beneath the brain. Damage causes loss of dexterity and smooth and complex movement skills

Limbic System

Brain system that controls emotions, drives, and memory

Amygdala

Part of the brain that enables aggression and fear. Damage causes less fear/anger, and more mellowness. Stimulation causes increased fear OR anger

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, body temperature, and other behaviors. Tunes into blood chemistry and other brain parts to secrete hormones that trigger pituitary gland action or neurotransmitter release. Also acts as a pleasure center that rewards evolutionary activities like sex and eating, but cannot be easily stimulated in humans

Hippocampus

Part of the brain that processes and contains conscious and explicit memories. Damage affects ability to formulate memory

Cerebrum

Part of the brain that enables perception, thinking, and speaking. Made up of two hemispheres and is the majority of the brain

Cerebral Cortex

A thin layer of neurons that covers the cerebrum and enables higher capacity of thinking

Frontal Lobe

A lobe that enables linguistic processing, muscle movement, higher order thinking, and executive functioning

Occipital Lobe

A lobe that enables vision

Parietal Lobe

A lobe that enables touch

Temporal Lobe

A lobe that enables hearing. Receives information from opposite side ear

Motor Cortex

A cortex that controls voluntary movement. Right hemisphere controls the left body and vice versa. Movements can be predicted from electrical activity, which can enable cognitive neural prosthetics. Found in frontal lobe