ap psych unit one vocab

temporal lobe

the region of the cerebral cortex above the ears (near temples) that is the primary receiving area for auditory information and enabling language processing

frontal lobe

the region of the cerebral cortex just behind the forehead; associated with muscle movement, language, higher order thinking, and executive functioning

parietal lobe

the region of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobe

the region of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head that processes visual information

Broca's area

an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Wernicke's area

a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

motor cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

corpus collosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center

reticular activating system (RAS)

regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal

cerebellum

the hindbrain's "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

pituitary gland

the endocrine system's most influential gland, the "master" gland; helps regulate growth, metabolism, and numerous other bodily functions and processes

hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage

amygdala

two lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

sleep-wake cycle

a daily, naturally occurring 24-hour circadian rhythm of sleep and wake states regulated by a biological clock

cicadian rhythm

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle

jet lag

a disruption of circadian rhythms due to crossing time zones

Shift work disorder

a circadian rhythm sleep disorder due to work shifts being regularly scheduled during the usual sleep period; work shifts overlap with all or part of the sleep period

sleep stages

Stage 1 (NREM), Stage 2 (NREM), Stage 3 (NREM - Deep Sleep), and REM (Rapid Eye Movement)

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

REM (paradoxical sleep)

(rapid eye movement) - a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur; known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

activation synthesis theory (dreams)

suggests that dreams are caused by the physiological processes of the brain; suggests dreams are a result of random brain activity (activation) being interpreted and synthesized into meaningful experiences by the brain

consolidation theory (dreams)

the dream theory that suggests the brain transforms short-term memories into long-term memories; essentially strengthening and stabilizing neural connections to store information for later retrieval

memory consolidation (sleep)

memories are put into long-term storage during sleep, improving retention, declarative memory, motor skills, and perceptual skills

restoration theory (sleep)

a theory that proposes that sleep replenishes psychological and physiological function

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks; the sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

REM sleep behavior disorder

a sleep disorder in which normal REM paralysis does not occur; sleepers have high levels of physical activity during REM sleep, especially during disturbing dreams

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

somnambulism

sleepwalking