Ap Psychology unit 1

Nature

genes and hereditary factor

Nutue

Environmental variables

Heredity

the genetic passing of characteristics between generations

Environment

All non-genetic influences on behavior- prenatal nutrition

Genes

segments of DNA that provide us the “biological instructions for life”

Genetic predisposition

increased chance of developing a given trait based on genetic makeup

Psychological genetic predisposition

mental health disorders and personality

Biological genetic predisposition

eye color, height, lifespan, hair texture

Medical genetic predisposition

heart disease, asthma and cancer

Behavior genetics

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

the presence of a gene does not guarantee the expression of that trait

in many cases, genes are “turned on” by the environment

a gene many remain “silent” without the appropriate environment influence

What environmental factors might affect gene expression?

prenatal environment, socialization, nutrition, stimulation, traumatic experiences

Epigenetics

the study of environmental influence of gene expression that occur with DNA change

Interaction

the effect of one factor (environment) depends on another factor (heredity)

Twin studies

are one of the best ways to study the nature vs nurture questions

Fraternal twins

genetically close as siblings, shared a fetal environment, developed from two different eggs

Identical twins

genetically identical, one egg split into two

Evolutionary perspective

explores how natural selection affects the expression of behavior and mental process to increase survival and reproductive success.

Natural selection

organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than others

Eugenics (good + genics :genes)

-selectively mating people with “desirable “ traits

-aims to reduce human suffering by “breeding out” disease, disabilities and “undesirable” characteristics from the human population

Nervous system

bodily system that sends messages back and forth between the brain and the body

involves the brain, spinal cord, and complex nerve

allows us to move, breathe, think 

Central

brain & spinal cord

spinal cord is the “pathway” from the CNS to the PNS

Peripheral

sensory and motor neurons, regulates basic bodily functions, nerves

The peripheral NS sketal (somatic)

voluntary body movements

bodies, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments

walk, run, dance and swim

The peripheral NS autonomic

involuntary process

control slandse muscles

HR, digestion, arousal, blood pressure

The Autonomic NS sympathetic

fight- or- flight

arouses body in stressful situations

delivers blood to parts to the body that need more oxygen to get out of a dangerous situation

the autonomic NS parasympathetic

-rest and digest

-calms the body to conserve energy

-relax and recover from flight or fight mode

Nerons

-smallest “building block” of the nervous system

-neuron sends and receives signals in order to communicate

-there are about 100 billion in the human body

-a single neuron could be connected to 10,000 others

sensory neurons

-also called afferent neurons

- receive information for sensory receptors

-send information to the brain to be processed

Motor neurons

-also called efferent neurons

-send information from the brain to the body

-tells our body how to move

Interneurons

-part of the CNS

-connect signals between sensory and motor neurons

Reflex arc

3 types of neurons work together in the spinal cord to control reflexes

Glial cells

type of brain cell

that support cells by providing structure, insulation, communication, and waste transport

Schwann cells

important type of glial cells

build myelin in the peripheral nervous system

Multiple sclerosis

chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin, causing numbness, weakness, trouble walking and other motor difficulties

Neural transmission

electrical communication process between neurons is an electrical process

neurons are kind of like wires

Synaptic gap

space between the terminal button and dendrite of two neurons

Synapse

connection between two neurons

Resting potential

-a lot of the time, there is no electricity flowing through the neuron

-what that happens the neuron is “at rest”

-RP=-70mv

-this means the neurons is ready for an electrical change at anytime

Action Potential

+40 mv

when this happens the neutral impulse travels through the neuron 

+55 mv threshold

level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

all or nothing law

when a neuron reaches the -55mv threshold, it will fire

neurons fire at one strength and intensity 

there is no such thing as a strong action potential

Refractory period

time post-firing in which another action potential cannot occur while the neuron rests

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that travel across the synaptic gap between neurons

bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron to continue the message

Excitatory

stimulate neuron firing (fire more frequently and send messages faster)

Inhibtory

slow neuron firing (messages communicated more slowly)

Acetylcholine

excitatory NI that plays a role in learning, memory, attention, and triggers muscle contraction

oversupply- muscle spasm (muscles moving when you don’t want them to )

undersupply- Alzheimer’s diseases :progressive neurological disease that causes brain cell death, leading to problems with memory, thinking and behavior changes

Myasthenia gravis

the body makes antibodies that block/destroy receptor sites for ACH. Fewer receptor sites: muscles set fewer nerve signals making movement more difficult

Dopamine

excitatory and inhibitory NT- that is responsible for reward and pleasure. Influence movement, learning and attention

oversupply- schizophrenia (disorder associated with a loss of touch from reality)

undersupply- Parkinson Disease : loss of DA neurons causes tremors, slowed movements, muscle rigidity, and other movement changes

Schizophrenia symptoms 

delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking

Positive symptoms

a behavior thought, or feeling that’s not typically present, adding something to a person’s experience

-hallucinations

-delusions

-disorganized thoughts

delusions of persection

someone is out to get you

Delusions of grandeur

especially impressive/important

Delusions of disorganized speech/behavior

word salad: incomprehensible speech or writing; a jungled mix of words and phares with no logical connection

Catatonia

Muscular rigidity, bizarre posture and reductor in movement

Negative symptoms

Decrease in or absence of typical behaviors, emotions, or thoughts

Flat affect

A noticeable lack of emotional expressions

Monotone voice

Minimal facial expressions

absences of body language

appears emotionally detached

causes of schizophrenia

Genetics- Neurochemical differences: high BA- structural brain differences: enlarged brain ventricles

Epigenetics

onset could be triggered by the environment- exposer to virus in utero- Trama or abuse

Antipsychotics

The most effective medication for treating schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptors

Tardive dyskinesia

neurological side effects of antipsychotics

Endorphins

inhibitory opiate- like NTS linked to pain control and reward. They relieve stress and help improve mood. 

oversupply- inadequate pain response

undersupply- linked to addiction

Gaba

inhibitory NT that regulated the sleep-wake cycle

most prevalent inhibitory NT

oversupply- sleep disorders; dysfunctional Gaba release is associated with insomnia

Glutemate

excitatory NT that is the basis for learning and long-term memory

most abundant excitatory NT

oversupply- migraines and seizures: too much glutamate can overstimulate neurons

undersupply- very rare and specific problems, but can cause general problems with concentration, sleep, and fatigue

Norepinephrine

excitatory NT associate with the autonomic NS (fight or flight response)

oversupply- anxiety: increased HR and BP, irritability, stress and insomnia

undersupply- depressive symptoms: low mood, low motivation, lack of energy, trouble concentrating

Serotonin

inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulated mood (calming) also helps regulate appetite, sleep, and mood

exposure to AM sunlight boosts production of serotonin and melatonin

oversupply- hallucinations; seeing or hearing things that others do not, intense happiness, elation

undersupply- depressive symptoms :low mood, low motivation, lack of energy, trouble concentrating

NTS are always being released, it’s not just one at a time and there is a overlap, but here the main difference between “happy” NTS

Depressive disorders

a category of mental health disorders marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest, worthlessness, fatigue, etc.

Major depressive disorder symptoms

persistent low mood or anhedonia ( loss of interest in pleasures)

symptoms

problems with memory or concentration 

anger/irritability

5+ symptoms for 2+ weeks cause impaired functioning

Persistent depressive disorder

-depressed mood days for 2+ years, plus 2 of the following

symptoms- low self esteem, insomnia or hypersomnia, overeating

symptoms have not stopped for more than 2 months with no time

Causes of depressive disorders

genetics, neurochemistry, ability status, stress, trauma,

Treating depressive disorders

biological, psychological and lifestyle changes

Antidepressants

increase availability of serotonin & norepinephrine

selective serotonin- lexapro

selective norepinephrine- cymbalta

must taper on and off

side effects- weight gain, dizziness, hypertension

Effectiveness of antidepressants

-20-40 out of people who take antidepressants noticed symptoms improvement in 6-8 weeks

-40-60 out of 100 people who took an antidepressant noticed symptom notice improvement in 6-8 weeks

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

an non invasive technique that use a magnetic field to influence brain activity in a specific area, potentially treating conditions like treatment- resistant depression by stimulating neurons through electromagnetic induction

Biological treatments :depressive disorders

electro conclusive therapy

a brief electric shock is deliberately induced in the brain to produce a seizure, primarily used to treat severe treatment resistant depression or other Psychiatic disorders that have responded to other therapeutic

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions.

mainly associated with dopamine

• increases alertness and energy

• increase BP and HR

• feelings of euphoria

Type of stimulants- Caffeine

increased alertness

Type of stimulants- Nicotine

relaxation and pleasure

Type of stimulants- Amphetamines

energetic and “euphoric high”

What happens in the brain when you drink coffee?

Caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist

Psychological dependence

psychological need for a drug like a craving and restlessness

Tolerance

diminishing effect of a substance with regular use

Dependence

is different from misuse or addiction

Misuse

pattern of substance use interfering with one’s daily life regardless of physical symptoms

Addicton

compulsive drug use or behaviors despite harmful consequences, interfering with a person’s life, often characterized by physical symptoms

Imparied control

use in larger amounts or for longer periods of time than intended and excessive time spent using drugs

Social impairment

failure to fulfill major obligations

Risky use

recurrent use in physically hazardous situations

pharmacological

tolerance and withdrawal

Reasons why people use substances

to feel good, to do better, to explore, and to feel better

Why do people misuse substances?

Biological, psychological, and social culture