AP PSYCHOLOGY 1.1-1.3 VOCAB

Psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes

Nature

the influence of genetic inheritance and biological factors on human behavior, physical traits, and mental processes

Evolutionary Perspective

an approach that explains human behaviors, thoughts, and mental processes by how they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce through natural selection

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest; the principle that the inherited traits of an organism influence its survivability and reproduction chance

Behavior Genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetics and environmental influences on behavior

Mutations

a random error in gene replication that leads to change

Environment

every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to our experiences with people and things around us

Heredity

the passing down of traits from parents to offspring

Genes

the biochemical units of heredity

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism

Nuture

all of the environmental factors that influence the development of behavior and mental processes

Eugenics

the idea that the human population should and can be improved though selective breeding with the desirable traits, while the unfavorable traits dying off with no offspring

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split into two, creating two genetically identical offsprings

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

individuals who developed from a separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but they shared a prenatal environment

Interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

Epigentics

the study of molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression without a DNA change

Nerves

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

Reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus with no control

Sensory neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s sensory receptors to the spinal cord then brain

Motor Neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from brain to spinal cord then to the muscle and glands

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord; they communicate intenally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Nervous System

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

Central Nervous System

the brain and the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

Autonomic Nervous System

the part of the peripheral that controls the glands and the muscles of interior organs such as the heart

Sympathetic Nervous System

A part of the autonomic NS that arouses the body, giving bursts of energy

Parasympathetic Nervous System

a part of the autonomic NS that calms the body, conserving its energy

Somatic Nervous System

a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the skeletal muscles

Neurons

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous systemCe

Cell Body

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus; the cell’s life support center

Dendrites

the receivers in a neuron that integrate messages to the cell body

Axon

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or other mucles/glands

Myelin Sheath

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enabling faster transmission speed of action potential through the axon

Glail Cells

cells in the nervous system that support neurons, helping learning, memory, and thinking

Synapse

the junction between the end and the head two neurons

Reflect Arc

a fast, autonomic neural pathway that controls an involuntary response to a stimulus without requiring conscious thought

Action Potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

All or Nothing Principle

the principle that a neuron either fully fires or doesn’t fire at all

Depolarization

the process where a neuron/s internal charge becomes less negative as positive ions rush into the cell, triggering a potential action

Reuptake

the reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Multiple Sclerosis

a chronic neurological disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheath, slowing electrical signal transmissions

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons, binding into receptors which could trigger a neural impulse, or uptake

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

a neurotransmitter that makes the receiving neuron more likely to fire an action potential

Dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion (motivation)

Nonrepinephrine

a neurotransmitter that stimulate the effects of adrenaline

GABA

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter (calming)

Substance P

pain perception

Serotonin

mood, hunger, sleep, arousal

Glutamate

a major excitatory neurotransmitter with memory

Endorphins

relieve pain and stimulate pleasure

Acetylcholine

muscle control and memory

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through blood streams, and affect other tissues

Adrenaline

fight or flight

Oxytocin

love hormone in birth, bonding, trust, and empathy

Leptin

Turning off hunger

Ghrelin

turning on hunger

Melatonin

helps you sleep

Testostorone

boost arousal and competitionc

Cortisol

stress hormone that influence development such as puberty, and menstrual cycle for women

Endocrine System

the body’s “slow” chemical communication network’s a set of glands and fat tissue that secrete hormones into the blood stream

Refractory Period

a brief resting pause after a neuron’s firing and actin potentials can’t fire until axon return to resting

Resting Potential

the electrical state of a neuron when it is not actively firing at a negative charge of -70 millivolts relative to the outside

Threshhold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a firing

Myasthenia Gravis

A chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerve and muscle cells

Inhibitory Transmitters

a neurotransmitter that prevents the receiving neuron from firing an action potentialP

Psychoactive Drugs

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perception and mood

Substance Use Disorder

a disorder characterized by the repeated use of drugs despite the body’s deterioration

Antagonist

substances that blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Agonist

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s actions

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up the body’s functions

Caffeine

a drink that increases alertness and wakefulness

Cocaine

a highly addictive drug that gives a rush of euphoria, confidence, and energy in terms of dopamine, nonrepinephrine, and serotonin

Methamphetamine

a drug that gives a sense of euphoria, alertness, energy through dopamine

Ectasy

a highly addictive drug that elevates emotions, calming, and disinhibition through blocking reuptake of serotonin

Opioids

opium and its derivatives, that lessen pain and anxiety as a depressant

Heroin

a depressant with a rush of euphoria, relief from pain

Addiction

compulsive substance use and for dysfunctional behaviors like gambling, that have harmful consequencesR

Reuptake inhibiter

drugs that block the reuptake of neurotransmitters

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and body function

Barbiturates

drugs that depress the central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety, but impairing memory and judgement similar to alcohol

Alcohol

a depressant that gives a high followed by relaxation and disinhibition (lack of restraint)

Hallucinogens

mind-manifesting drugs that distort perception and evoke sensory images with no sensory input

Near-Death Experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Marijuana

a drug with THC that gives an enhanced sensation, relief from pain, distortion of time, and relaxation

LSD

Visual trip, extremely strong sensations

Tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring a stronger dose to feel its effects

Withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follows after stopping the use of a drug or behavior