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evolutionary psychology
study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival
natural selection
organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment
nature
biological and genetic factors that influence psychological development
nurture
environmental influence that shape’s individuals development
twin studies
similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to assess influence of genes and environment
adoption studies
similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families
family studies
similarities and differences between generations and family members
heredity
transmission of genetic information to offspring
genetic predisposition
inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or conditions due to genetic factors
eugenics
belief in improving genetic quality of human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits
cerebral cortex
outer layer of brain; responsible for higher-level thinking, preceiving, and decision making
association areas
parts of brain that take info from all over to make up what you see, smell, hear, and movements
frontal lobes
front of brain; higher level cognitive function
prefrontal cortex
higher-level functions and executive functioning
motor cortex
controls voluntary movement and sends signals to muscles
parietal lobes
responsible for processing sensory information
somatosensory cortex
responsible for processing sensations from skin, muscles, and joints
occipital lobes
processes visual info received from eyes
temporal lobes
processes sounds, language comprehension, and memory function
corpus callosum
thick band of nerve fiber that connects left and right hemispheres to share information
brain stem
oldest and most primitive part of brain; life-sustaining functions
medulla
regulates heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure
reticular activating system
role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness
cerebellum
responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture
limbirc system
involves emotion, memory, and motivation
reward center
processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors
thalamus
relays senses to the cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
respnosilbe for regualating body functions, homeostasis
pitutiary gland
“master gland”, regulates hormones
hippocampus
responsible for forming and consolidating memories
amygdala
processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression
nervous system
body’s communication network consisting of complex system of nerves
central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord
autonomic nervous system
division of peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions
sympathetic nervous system
responsible for activating the body’s “fight or flight”
parasympathetic nervous system
responsible for relaxation and restoring body to calm state
somatic nervous system
division of peripheral nervous system, voluntary movement and sensory information
neurons
serves as building block to transmit electrical and chemical signals
glial cells
support cells of nervous system provide structoral suppose, insulation, and nourishment
motor neurons
transmit signals to muscles, glands, and organs controlling movements
sensory neurons
transmits sensory information from skin to nervous system
interneurons
serve as connectors within central nervous system, relay signals
reflex arc
neural pathways that control reflex actions for rapid response
neural transmission
process by which neurons communicate with each other
threshold
level of stimulation required to trigger action potential in neuron
action potential
electrical impulse that travels down the axon of neuron
all-or-nothing principle
once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, the neuron either fires or does not
depolarization
phase of action potential where inside or neuron becomes less negative compared to outside
refractory period
period following an action potential during which neuron in unable to generate another action
resting potential
stable, negative electrical charge when not transmitting signals
reuptake
process which neurotransmitters that have been released into synapse are reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron
multiple sclerosis
chronic autoimmunee disease that affects central nervous system, body attacks myelin sheath
myasthenia gravis
affects neuromuscular junction where nerve impluses are transmitted to muscles
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons allowing for communication
excitatory neurotransmitters
chemicals released by neurons that increase likelihood of action potential
glutamte
primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS playing role in synaptic transmission and neuronal communication
inhibitory transmitters
chemicals released by neurons that decrease likelihood of action potential
GABA
neurotransmitter that act as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS; promotes relaxation
dopamine
neurotransmitter that plays role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement
serotonin
neurotransmitter that plays vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress
endorphins
neurotransmitters produced by brain that act as natural pain relievers
substance p
neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain signals in nervous system
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter that plays role in both CNS and peripheral nervous system
hormones
messengers produces by glands in endocrine system that travel through bloodstream and regulate physiological behaviors.
ghrelin
hormone produced by stomach and small intestine that stimulates appetite and hunger
leptin
hormone produced by fat cells that regulates energy balance and appetite
melatonin
hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms
oxytocin
hormone and neurotransmitter that plays key role in social bonding
adrenaline
hormone and neurotransmitter that plays key role in body’s stress response; “fight or flight”
norepinephrine
neurotransmitter that functions as both hormone and neurotransmitters; involved in body’s “fight or flight,” regulating arousal, attention, and stress