Studied by 5 people
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
