AP Psychology Unit 1

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71 Terms

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evolutionary psychology

study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival

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natural selection

organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment

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nature

biological and genetic factors that influence psychological development

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nurture

environmental influence that shape’s individuals development

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twin studies

similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to assess influence of genes and environment

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adoption studies

similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families

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family studies

similarities and differences between generations and family members

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heredity

transmission of genetic information to offspring

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genetic predisposition

inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or conditions due to genetic factors

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eugenics

belief in improving genetic quality of human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits

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cerebral cortex

outer layer of brain; responsible for higher-level thinking, preceiving, and decision making

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association areas

parts of brain that take info from all over to make up what you see, smell, hear, and movements

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frontal lobes

front of brain; higher level cognitive function

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prefrontal cortex

higher-level functions and executive functioning

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motor cortex

controls voluntary movement and sends signals to muscles

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parietal lobes

responsible for processing sensory information

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somatosensory cortex

responsible for processing sensations from skin, muscles, and joints

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occipital lobes

processes visual info received from eyes

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temporal lobes

processes sounds, language comprehension, and memory function

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corpus callosum

thick band of nerve fiber that connects left and right hemispheres to share information

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brain stem

oldest and most primitive part of brain; life-sustaining functions

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medulla

regulates heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure

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reticular activating system

role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness

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cerebellum

responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture

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limbirc system

involves emotion, memory, and motivation

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reward center

processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors

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thalamus

relays senses to the cerebral cortex

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hypothalamus

respnosilbe for regualating body functions, homeostasis

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pitutiary gland

“master gland”, regulates hormones

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hippocampus

responsible for forming and consolidating memories

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amygdala

processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression

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nervous system

body’s communication network consisting of complex system of nerves

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central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

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peripheral nervous system

consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord

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autonomic nervous system

division of peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions

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sympathetic nervous system

responsible for activating the body’s “fight or flight”

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parasympathetic nervous system

responsible for relaxation and restoring body to calm state

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somatic nervous system

division of peripheral nervous system, voluntary movement and sensory information

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neurons

serves as building block to transmit electrical and chemical signals

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glial cells

support cells of nervous system provide structoral suppose, insulation, and nourishment

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motor neurons

transmit signals to muscles, glands, and organs controlling movements

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sensory neurons

transmits sensory information from skin to nervous system

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interneurons

serve as connectors within central nervous system, relay signals

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reflex arc

neural pathways that control reflex actions for rapid response

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neural transmission

process by which neurons communicate with each other

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threshold

level of stimulation required to trigger action potential in neuron

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action potential

electrical impulse that travels down the axon of neuron

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all-or-nothing principle

once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, the neuron either fires or does not

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depolarization

phase of action potential where inside or neuron becomes less negative compared to outside

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refractory period

period following an action potential during which neuron in unable to generate another action

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resting potential

stable, negative electrical charge when not transmitting signals

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reuptake

process which neurotransmitters that have been released into synapse are reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron

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multiple sclerosis

chronic autoimmunee disease that affects central nervous system, body attacks myelin sheath

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myasthenia gravis

affects neuromuscular junction where nerve impluses are transmitted to muscles

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neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons allowing for communication

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excitatory neurotransmitters

chemicals released by neurons that increase likelihood of action potential

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glutamte

primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS playing role in synaptic transmission and neuronal communication

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inhibitory transmitters

chemicals released by neurons that decrease likelihood of action potential

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GABA

neurotransmitter that act as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS; promotes relaxation

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dopamine

neurotransmitter that plays role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement

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serotonin

neurotransmitter that plays vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress

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endorphins

neurotransmitters produced by brain that act as natural pain relievers

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substance p

neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain signals in nervous system

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acetylcholine

neurotransmitter that plays role in both CNS and peripheral nervous system

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hormones

messengers produces by glands in endocrine system that travel through bloodstream and regulate physiological behaviors.

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ghrelin

hormone produced by stomach and small intestine that stimulates appetite and hunger

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leptin

hormone produced by fat cells that regulates energy balance and appetite

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melatonin

hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms

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oxytocin

hormone and neurotransmitter that plays key role in social bonding

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adrenaline

hormone and neurotransmitter that plays key role in body’s stress response; “fight or flight”

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norepinephrine

neurotransmitter that functions as both hormone and neurotransmitters; involved in body’s “fight or flight,” regulating arousal, attention, and stress