AP psych kunz class

hi mr.kunz this is plee message. pls dont fail me, you dah goat. You're a little strange but that's okay ig. We all are hoping for at least a 3-4, a 5 seems like a stretch.

Evolutionary perspective

Approach explaining behavior and cognition through natural selection and adaptive value across generations.

Natural selection

Process by which traits that support survival and reproduction become more common in a population over time.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes information and coordinates behavior.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

All nerves outside the CNS; connects brain and spinal cord to organs and muscles.

Somatic nervous system

Division of the PNS that controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement and sensory input from the body.

Autonomic nervous system

Division of the PNS that regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic nervous system

Branch of the autonomic system that prepares the body for action by increasing arousal and energy use.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Branch of the autonomic system that conserves energy and restores calm after arousal.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal bodily conditions necessary for survival.

Neuron

Specialized cell that receives, processes, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

Dendrites

Branch

Soma (cell body)

Contains the nucleus and maintains neuron functioning.

Axon

Long projection that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Myelin sheath

Fatty insulating layer that speeds neural transmission and protects axons.

Node of Ranvier

Gaps in myelin sheath that allow impulses to jump and travel faster.

Terminal buttons

Ends of axons that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Synapse

Junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.

Glial cells

Support cells that nourish, protect, and insulate neurons.

Resting potential

Stable negative electrical charge of a neuron when not firing.

Threshold

Minimum level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

Action potential

Rapid electrical impulse traveling down an axon after threshold is reached.

Depolarization

Change in membrane charge toward positive during neural firing.

Refractory period

Brief recovery period after firing when a neuron cannot fire again.

All

or

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger released by neurons to communicate across synapses.

Excitatory neurotransmitter

Chemical that increases likelihood of neuron firing.

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

Chemical that decreases likelihood of neuron firing.

Agonist

Substance that mimics or enhances neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

Substance that blocks neurotransmitter action.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters into the sending neuron.

Brainstem

Region controlling basic survival functions like breathing and heart rate.

Medulla

Part of brainstem regulating heartbeat and breathing.

Pons

Brainstem structure involved in sleep and wakefulness regulation.

Reticular activating system

Network that filters incoming stimuli and regulates alertness.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance, posture, and voluntary movement.

Thalamus

Sensory relay station directing information to appropriate cortex regions. playing a key role in consciousness, attention, and emotional regulation.

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis and regulates drives like hunger and temperature. F

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland controlling other hormone

Limbic system

Brain system involved in emotion, motivation, and memory.

Hippocampus

Forms new memories and converts short

Amygdala

Processes fear and emotional responses.

Corpus callosum

Band of fibers connecting the brain’s hemispheres. Enables communication to go from one to the other, allowing hemispheres to work together

Frontal lobe

Responsible for planning, personality, decision

Parietal lobe

Processes touch, spatial awareness, and body position.

Temporal lobe

Processes hearing, language, and memory.

Occipital lobe

Processes visual information.

Neuroplasticity

Brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.

EEG

Measures electrical activity of the brain.

MRI

Imaging method that shows brain structure using magnetic fields.

fMRI

Imaging method showing brain structure and activity through oxygen use.

PET scan

Imaging that shows active brain areas using radioactive glucose.

Circadian rhythm

24

REM sleep

Sleep stage with vivid dreaming and active brain patterns.

Non

REM sleep

Insomnia

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder involving sudden sleep attacks.

Sleep apnea

Sleep disorder involving repeated breathing interruptions.

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking during deep sleep.

Sensation

Detection of physical energy by sensory receptors.

Transduction

Conversion of stimulus energy into neural impulses.

Absolute threshold

Minimum stimulation detected 50% of the time.

Sensory adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to constant stimulation.

Weber’s law

Perceived change depends on proportional stimulus change.

Rods

Photoreceptors detecting light intensity and motion.

Cones

Photoreceptors detecting color and fine detail.

Blind spot

Area of retina without photoreceptors where optic nerve exits.

Trichromatic theory

Color vision based on three types of cones.

Opponent

process theory

Pitch

Perceived frequency of sound.

Amplitude

Height of sound waves determining loudness.

Olfaction

Sense of smell.

Gustation

Sense of taste.

Vestibular sense

Sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Kinesthetic sense

Sense of body position and movement.

Gate control theory

Theory that spinal cord regulates pain signals reaching brain.

Phantom limb

Sensation perceived in an amputated limb.

Psychoactive drug

Substance that alters mood, perception, or behavior by affecting neurotransmitters.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase nervous system activity.

Depressants

Drugs that slow nervous system activity.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perception and sensory experience.

Opioids

Drugs that reduce pain and produce euphoria.

Nature

Heredity; genetic influences on behavior

Nurture

Environmental influences like family, culture, education

Genetic predisposition

Increased likelihood of developing a trait or disorder based on genes

Evolutionary perspective

Explains behavior through natural selection and adaptation

Natural selection

Traits that help survival and reproduction are passed on

Eugenics

Attempt to control reproduction to improve genetic traits (discriminatory use of psychology)

Twin studies

Compare identical twins to examine genetic influence

Adoption studies

Compare adopted children with biological vs adoptive parents

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary movement

Autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary processes

Sympathetic nervous system

Fight or flight (speeds body up)

Parasympathetic nervous system

Rest and digest (calms body down)

Neuron

Cell that transmits information

Dendrites

Receive signals

Axon

Sends signals away from cell

Myelin sheath

Insulates axon and speeds transmission

Synapse

Gap between neurons

Glial cells

Support, protect, and nourish neurons

Resting potential

Neuron at rest with negative charge