ap psych - unit 1

Interaction

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).

Heredity

Also known as 'nature,' refers to genetic or predisposed characteristics that influence physical, behavioral, and mental traits and processes.

Environmental Factors

Also known as 'nurture,' refers to the external factors that one experiences.

Evolutionary Perspective

The study of how natural selection affects the expression of behavior and mental processes to increase survival and reproductive success.

Eugenics

The use of the evolutionary perspective to discriminate against others through selectively mating people with 'desirable' traits and weeding out those with 'undesirable' traits.

Twin Studies

A study conducted on identical twins.

Family Studies

A study which examines the patterns of a specific trait or behavior within a family.

Adoption Studies

A study which compares people in different family relationships to understand how heredity and environmental factors affect traits and behavior.

The Nervous System

The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Central Nervous System

Interacts with all processes in the body and includes the brain and the spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Relays messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body and includes the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

Autonomic Nervous System

Governs processes that are involuntary such as breathing and blood pressure, this system includes the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that helps the body respond to stress by preparing it for action.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that serves to calm the body, returning it to homeostasis.

Somatic Nervous System

Governs voluntary processes such as the movement of muscles.

Neurons

Neural cells that create and transmit electrical impulses between cells.

Glial Cells

Cells that provide structure, insulation, communication, and waste removal functions for neurons.

Reflex Arc

Involves both the PNS and CNS working together to coordinate a motor response.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Neural Transmission

The orderly process of transferring information between neurons, involving several phases including depolarization and reuptake.

All-or-nothing Principle

A neuron’s reaction of either firing with a full-strength response or not firing.

Depolarization

A shift in a neuron's electrical charge allowing an action potential to occur.

Refractory Period

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.

Resting Potential

The state when a neuron is not generating a neural impulse.

Reuptake

The absorption of the neurotransmitter into the terminal buttons of the sending neuron.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Multiple Sclerosis

A deteriorative condition affecting the myelin sheath, slowing communication to muscles.

Myasthenia Gravis

A chronic neuromuscular disease causing weakness in voluntary muscles.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that influence whether a neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Action Potential

The electrical impulse that travels down the axon releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Excitatory

Making an action potential more likely to occur.

Inhibitory

Making an action potential less likely to occur.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter influencing movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter affecting mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal, with low levels associated with depression.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with anxiety-related disorders.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters linked to pain reduction and pleasure, serving as the body’s natural painkillers.

Substance P

A neurotransmitter involved in pain signaling.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter enabling muscle action, learning, and memory.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

A hormone that increases heart rate and energy during the fight-or-flight response.

Leptin

A hormone that increases metabolism and decreases hunger.

Ghrelin

A hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach.

Melatonin

A sleep-inducing hormone released by the pineal gland.

Oxytocin

A hormone related to bonding, attachment, and stress reduction.

Agonists

Substances that mimic the actions of neurotransmitters.

Antagonists

Substances that inhibit or block responses to neurotransmitters.

Reuptake Inhibitors

Drugs that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters into the sending neuron.

Psychoactive drug

Drugs that influence neurotransmitter function, potentially leading to addiction.

Stimulants

Psychoactive drugs that increase neural activity and activate the sympathetic nervous system.

Depressants

Psychoactive drugs that decrease neural activity, leading to sedation or sleep.

Hallucinogens

Psychoactive drugs that cause distortions in perception and cognition.

Opioids

Psychoactive drugs that act as pain relievers and can create powerful withdrawal symptoms.

Tolerance

The phenomenon where drug effects lessen with repeated exposure.

Addiction

Compulsive craving for drugs or behaviors despite known adverse consequences.

Withdrawal

The discomfort following the discontinuation of an addictive drug or behavior.

Brain Stem

The central core of the brain responsible for basic life functions.

Medulla

The base of the brain stem controlling basic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Reticular Activating System

A nerve network that arouses the brain and is important for alertness.

Cerebellum

Controls coordination of movement and balance.

Cerebral Cortex

The fabric of neural cells covering the hemispheres of the brain.

Limbic System

Neural system associated with emotions and drives, located below the cerebral hemispheres.

Thalamus

Sensory control center that directs input to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates maintenance activities like eating and drinking, linked to emotion.

Pituitary Gland

The gland that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Hippocampus

Involved in creating and processing memories.

Amygdala

Linked to emotions such as fear and aggression.

Corpus Callosum

Bundle of nerves connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.

Frontal Lobes

Control higher-order functions such as thinking and reasoning.

Parietal Lobes

Control sensory perception and proprioception.

Occipital Lobes

Responsible for visual processing.

Temporal Lobes

Involved in auditory processing and language comprehension.

William syndrome

A disorder characterized by inability to recognize familiar faces.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections throughout life.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A technique for measuring brain wave activity.

fMRI

Functional MRI used to measure brain activity in specific areas.

Case Studies

Descriptive techniques studying individuals or groups in-depth.

Lesioning

A surgical technique that removes brain parts to treat illness.

Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Sleep

Periodic natural loss of consciousness.

Circadian Rhythm

The biological clock regulating bodily rhythms on a 24-hour cycle.

Jet lag

Disruption of circadian rhythm after traveling long distances.

Shift work

Disruption of circadian rhythm caused by night work.

NREM sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep that occurs in Stages 1 through 3.

Hypnagogic sensations

Hallucinations occurring as one enters Initial Stage 1 sleep.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep associated with dreaming.

Dreaming

Sequence of images and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind.

REM rebound

Increase in REM sleep following deprivation.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Theory suggesting dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of activity during REM sleep.

Memory Consolidation Theory

Theory suggesting sleep is useful for organizing memories.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks.

REM sleep behavior disorder

Acting out vivid dreams during REM sleep.

Sleep apnea

A sleep disorder causing breathing interruptions during sleep.

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking, a harmless sleep disorder.

Sensation

The process of detecting environmental stimuli.

Perception

The organization and interpretation of sensory information.