AP Psych - Unit 1 Vocab

Hereditary

The genetic factors that are passed down from biological parents to their offspring

Nature

The genetic or hereditary influences on an individual’s development and behavior (inherited from the biological parents)

Nurture

The environmental factors and experiences that shape an individual’s traits and behaviors

Genetic Predisposition 

An increased likelihood of developing a particular trait or condition due to inherited genetic factors

Evolutionary Perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on how human behavior is shaped by evolution (natural selection)

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest

Eugenics 

The science of improving a human population controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics 

Twin Studies

Research designs used to measure the influence of genetic factors on human behavior by comparing identical (monozygotic) twins with fraternal (dizygotic) twins

Family Studies

Research conducted among siblings, parents, or children to assess evidence for genetic links for characteristics or outcomes

Adoption Studies

Adoption studies compare biological relatives with adoptive relatives in order to understand both genetic and environmental influences 

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for processing information received from all parts of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

This consists of all the nerve tissues in the body outside of the CNS. It connects all parts of the body to the CNS. 

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, breathing rate. It maintains homeostasis.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the Autonomic Nervous System responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the Autonomic Nervous System responsible for the “rest and digest” functions of the body which returns the body to a state of balance (homeostasis) after stress

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of skeletal muscle movement and relaying sensory information (like touch, pain, and temperature) to the Central Nervous System

Neurons

A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

Glial Cells

Non-neurological cells in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system that support and protect neurons

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action. It consists of a sensory neuron, an interneuron, and a motor neuron

Sensory Neurons

Nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism’s environment into internal electrical impulses

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles, glands, and other effector organs

Interneurons

Neurons located entirely within the central nervous system that act as an intermediaries between sensory neurons and motor neurons

Neural Transmission

Neural transmission occurs when a neuron is activated, or fired (sends out an electrical impulse)

Action Potential

Brief electrical impulses that travel along the axon of a neuron

All-or-Nothing Principle

The concept that a neuron fires completely or does not fire at all in response to a stimulus

Depolarization

A shift in a neuron’s electrical charge that allows an action potential (nerve impulse) to occur

Refractory Period

A period immediately following stimulation during which a nerve or muscle is unresponsive to further stimulation

Resting Potential

The electrical potential across the plasma membrane of a neuron when it is in the nonexcited, or resting, state

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters molecules that have been released at a synapse are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron that released them

Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Multiple Slerosis

A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to the destruction of the protective myelin sheaths around nerves. This disrupts communication between the brain and body

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the nervous system that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential, effectively promoting the transmission of signals across synapses (send signals that stimulate the brain)

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire an electrical signal (send signals to calm the brain down and create balance)

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical responsible for sending messages between the brain and different nerve cells of the body (known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter)

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that has many functions throughout the body (helps with mood stabilization & helping one feel a sense of happiness and content)

Norepinephrine

A hormone and neurotransmitter involved in stress response - released from the sympathetic nervous system. It increases heart rate, releases glucose from energy stores, and increases blood flow to skeletal muscle)

Glutamate

An excitory neurotransmitter that increases brain activity and plays a key role in learning and memory

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that reduces neural activity and helps to reduce anxiety and stress levels

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters produced by your brain and nervous system during times of stress or pain

Substance p

A neuropeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter and is primarily associated with the transmission of pain signals in the nervous system

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory, learning, attention, arousal, and involuntary muscle movement

Hormones

Chemical substances produced in your body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs

Adrenaline

A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress like fear or injury

Leptin

A hormone produced primarily by adipose (fat) tissue that plays a crucial role in regulating hunger, appetite, and energy balance within the body

Ghrelin

A hormone your stomach produces and releases. It stimulates hunger when your stomach is empty and it’s time to eat (increases between mealtimes and decreases when your stomach is full)

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland in our brain. It regulates our sleep-wake cycles

Oxytocin

A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It plays a significant role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth

Pituitary Gland

Considered the “master gland” of the endocrine system because it controls other glands. It’s a small pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that cause changes in the normal activities of the central nervous system (can alter perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior by changing the brains neurochemistry)

Agonist

Substances that bind to and activate receptors in the brain, causing an increase in neural activity (initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor)

Antagonists

A substance that blocks or inhibits the function of a neurotransmitter in the brain

Reuptake Inhibitors

A class of drugs that work by blocking the reabsorption, or reuptake, of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to an increase in their availability and enhanced signaling between neurons

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the body and brain, enhancing alertness and energy levels

Caffeine

A stimulant that blocks the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that produces sleep and relaxation

Cocaine

A powerful stimulant drug that increases levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and movement, in the brain’s reward circuit

Depressants

Drugs that can reduce arousal and stimulation in certain areas of the brain by slowing down bodily functions and neural activity