Biopsychology: Understanding the Brain and Behavior

A complete glossary of vocabulary terms covering Module 3 notes on biopsychology, neuroanatomy, brain imaging, neurotransmitters, nervous systems, and genetics.

Observer Bias

 skewing of observations to align with experimenter expectations in descriptive research.

Confounding Variable

An unmeasured factor that can cause systematic movement in variables of interest during correlational studies.

Double-Blind Study

An experimental procedure where neither researchers nor participants know which group received the treatment, controlling for experimenter bias and placebo effects.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure across repeated trials or testing occasions.

Validity

The accuracy of a measurement tool in truly assessing what it was designed to measure.

Neuroplasticity

The human brain's ability to rewire and form new neural connections throughout life.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division of the nervous system comprising the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Glial Cells

Nervous system cells that provide physical and metabolic support to neurons, including insulation, communication, and nutrient and waste transport.

Neuron Structure

The interconnected information processors of the nervous system, consisting of dendrites, a soma (cell body), an axon covered by a myelin sheath, and terminal buttons.

Synapse

The small space between two neurons that acts as the site of chemical communication.

Resting Potential

The state of readiness of a neuron membrane when inactive, characterized by a net positive charge in extracellular fluid and a net negative charge in intracellular fluid.

Action Potential

The dramatic change in electrical charge across a neuron's membrane when a signal is transmitted down the axon.

Reuptake

The process of moving a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft back into the axon terminal from which it was released.

Acetylcholine

A major neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory, which increases arousal and enhances cognition.

Beta-Endorphin

A neurotransmitter involved in pain and pleasure, leading to decreased anxiety and decreased tension.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and learning, causing increased pleasure and suppressed appetite.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

A neurotransmitter involved in brain function and sleep, leading to decreased anxiety and decreased tension.

Glutamate

A major neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning, resulting in increased learning capacity and enhanced memory.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in heart function, intestines, and alertness, leading to increased arousal and suppressed appetite.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood and sleep, causing modulated mood and suppressed appetite.

Agonist

A drug or chemical that mimics a neurotransmitter at the receptor site, strengthening its normal effects.

Antagonist

A drug or chemical that blocks the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at its receptor site.

Lobes of the Brain

The four divisions of the forebrain cerebral cortex: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

Motor Cortex

Region located in the frontal lobe that is involved in planning and coordinating movement.

Prefrontal Cortex

Region in the frontal lobe responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning.

Broca's Area

Region located in the frontal lobe that is essential for language production.

Somatosensory Cortex

Topographically organized region in the parietal lobe that processes sensory information from across the body.

Wernicke's Area

Region located in the temporal lobe that is important for speech comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Lobe of the forebrain containing the primary visual cortex, retinotopically organized to interpret visual information.

Thalamus

Limbic structure that serves as the relay center of the brain where most incoming senses are routed for processing.

Amygdala

Limbic system structure involved in the experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to memories.

Hippocampus

Limbic system structure associated with learning and memory formation.

Hypothalamus

Limbic structure regulating sexual motivation, behavior, and homeostatic processes, serving as an interface between nervous and endocrine systems.

Substantia Nigra

Midbrain structure containing cell bodies that produce dopamine and are critical for movement control.

Reticular Formation

Midbrain region important for regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity.

Medulla

Hindbrain structure controlling automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Pons

Hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebellum

Hindbrain structure that controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills.

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of neural fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

Imaging technique that takes X-rays of a particular section of a person's body or brain.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Brain imaging technique using a mildly radioactive tracer to track blood flow and create a rough map of active/inactive brain areas.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Brain imaging technique tracking changes in neural activity over time by measuring blood flow and oxygen levels.

Somatic Nervous System

Subdivision of the PNS transmitting sensory and motor signals to and from the CNS to control voluntary actions.

Autonomic Nervous System

Subdivision of the PNS controlling involuntary functions of internal organs and glands.

Sympathetic Division

Division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight or flight responses.

Parasympathetic Division

Division of the autonomic nervous system associated with rest and digest functions under normal, relaxed conditions.

Endocrine System

System of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate mood, growth, development, and metabolism.

Behavioral Endocrinology

The study of the interactions between psychology and the endocrine system.

Genotype

The underlying genetic makeup of an individual organism.

Phenotype

An individual's observable physical characteristics, resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental influences.

Heritability Coefficient

A statistical measure estimating how strongly differences among individuals for a trait are related to differences among their genes.

Range of Reaction

The concept that genes set definite limits on potential while environmental factors determine how much of that potential is achieved.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors cause the same gene to lead to different physical or behavioral results without altering DNA sequence.