AP Psychology Unit 1

Evolutionary Psychology

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

• seeks to understand universal human behaviors and mental processes through the lens of evolutionary principles

Natural selection

organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to future generations.

Nature “genes”

biological and genetic factors that influence an individual’s psychological development: traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities

concrete example:

• how smart we are

• genetic disorders

• natural temperament

Nurture

environmental influences and experiences that shape an individuals psychological development; behaviors, traits and cognitive process

Concrete example:

• culture

• socioeconomic status

• access to resources

• exposure to media

Twin studies

examines similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to assess the relative influence of genetics and environment on traits and behaviors.

Concrete examples:

• jim twin study

Adoption studies

examines similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families to assess the impact of genetics verses environment on traits and behaviors.

Family studies

examines similarities and differences among family members, including parents and siblings, to understand the interplay of genetics and environment in shaping traits and behaviors within a family unit.

Heredity

transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring

concrete examples:

• heritability: helps us figure out how much of our traits come from our genes and how much comes from our environment

Genetic predisposition

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

concrete example:

• anxiety

• depression

Eugenics

The belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable ones

concrete example:

• Nazi movement

• selective breeding

mnemonic:

• “good in birth”

Cerebal cortex

outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making

• highly folded to increase it’s surface area, allowing for complex neural processing and integration of information and is divided into two hemispheres with four distinct lobes.

Concrete example:

• grey matter is where the brain’s “thinking” happens containing the cell bodies of neurons

• white matter acts as the brains wiring

mnemonics:

• grey matter = processor

• white matter= cables

Lobes of the brain

refer to the four main regions or sections into which the cerebral cortex, outer layer of the brain is divided

• frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal

• FPOT

Association centers

parts of the brain that take information from all over the place- like what see, hear, smell, and touch and put it together to help us understand the world around us

Concrete examples:

• primary motor complex

• primary auditory area

• primary visual cortex

Mnemonics

• associates

Frontal lobe (executive control center)

Located at the front of the brain and involved in high-level cognitive functions including decision- making, problem solving, planning, and personality expression

Prefrontal cortex

region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning

concrete examples:

• plan

• organize

• regulate emotions

• focus attention

• manage time

Motor cortex

region of the brain located in the frontal lobe responsible for planning, executive, and controlling voluntary movements of the body

concrete examples

• walking

• talking

• grasping

Parietal lobes (sensory processing hub)

located at the top of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing sensory info from the body such as touch, temperature, and spatial Awareness

mnemonic:

“GPS” for body awareness

Somatosensory cortex

region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensation from the skin, muscles, and joints

concrete examples:

• walking on the beach

Occipital lobes (visual processing center)

located at the back of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes

Mnemonic:

• eyes in the back of your head

Temporal lobes (auditory center)

located on the sides of the brain and are involved in processing auditory info, language comprehension, and memory formation

• interprets sound signals from the ears

• houses memories, emotions, and language comp

Corpus callosum

thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and info between the 2 hemispheres

Brain stem

responsible for basic-life sustaining functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep wake cycles

• divided into 3 structures stacked on top of other

Medulla

vital structure located at the base of the brain stem regulating functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure

Reticular activating system

a network of neurons located in the brain stem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness

concrete example:

• waking up with alarm

Cerebellum

located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture

Concrete examples

• walking in a straight line

Limbic system

set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation

Reward center

network of brain structures primarily located in the limbic system, that processes the pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them

concrete examples:

• food

Thalamus

a relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory info such as sight, sound, touch, and taste to the cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

small structure located below the thalamus responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep-wake cycle

Mnenomic:

TANHATS

Thirst

Apetite

Neurohypothesis

Hunger

Autonomic

Temperature

Sexual

pituitary gland

small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, referred to as the “master of gland” due to it’s central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body

concrete example

• Lincoln and his abnormal height

Hippocampus

region of the brain located in the temporal lobe primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories

concrete examples:

• studying for a test

Amygdala

small, almond shaped structure located deep withing the brain’s temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions, particular fear and aggression

concrete example:

• fight or flight

Mnemonic:

• fighting Aime

Nervous system

The body’s communication network consisting of a complex system of nerves, neurons, and specialized cells

Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord command the center of the body responsible for processing information, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions.

peripheral nervous system

consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. Serves as communication network transmitting sensory info to the CNS.

Autonomic nervous system

Division of the peripheral nervous that regulates involuntary bodily functions, it operates automatically, without conscious control. Contains two main branches: sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

Mnemonic:

• Automatic

Sympathetic nervous system

Responsible for activating the body’s “fight or flight” response in times of stress or danger.

Concrete examples:

• sweating

• pupils dialate

• muscle strength goes up

Parasympathetic nervous system

Responsible for promoting relaxation and restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger

Mnemonics:

• rest and digest

Somatic nervous system

Division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary movements and relaying sensory info from the body to the CNS

Neurons

Specialized cells that serves as the building block of the nervous system, transiting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body. Consists of 3 main parts: the cell body, dentrities, and axon

Gilal cells

The “support cells” of the nervous system provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to the neurons. Maintaining brain health and supporting neuronal function.

Mnemonic:

• construction crew

Motor neurons

nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.

Mnemonic:

• motor = message sender

sensory neurons

Specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors such as those in the skin, muscles, and organs to the CNS

Mnemonic:

• message receivers

Interneurons

Nerve cells that serve as connectors within the CNS relaying signals between sensory neurons and Motor neurons

Mnemonic:

• message processors

Reflex arc

neural pathway that controls reflex actions allowing for rapid, automatic responses to sensory stimuli without conscious thought