ap psych vocab unit 1 whole test

What is psychology defined as?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

How do biological systems influence psychology?

Biological systems influence our physical and mental actions and responses.

What is the role of neuronal communication in psychology?

Neuronal communication is key to understanding how biological mechanisms drive psychological phenomena.

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

It is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres.

What does the cerebral cortex involve?

It is involved in complex mental processes such as thinking.

What are the four lobes of the brain?

Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes.

What does the evolutionary perspective in psychology examine?

It looks at how human behaviors helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

What is natural selection?

The process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently.

What basic functions does the brainstem support?

It supports basic life functions, including heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

What is the role of the medulla in the brainstem?

It controls vital life-sustaining functions like heartbeat and breathing.

What does the reticular activating system regulate?

It regulates wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.

What is meant by 'nature' in psychology?

The influence of genetic factors on traits and behaviors.

What is meant by 'nurture' in psychology?

The influence of environmental factors on traits and behaviors.

What does the cerebellum coordinate?

It coordinates voluntary movements like posture, balance, and coordination.

What are the functions of the frontal lobes?

They are involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling behavior.

What is the prefrontal cortex responsible for?

It is involved in planning complex behaviors and expressing personality.

What is executive functioning?

Higher order processes including planning, organizing, and regulating behavior.

What do twin studies investigate?

They compare the similarities between identical and fraternal twins to understand the influence of genetics versus environment.

What do adoption studies aim to understand?

They compare biologically related people, including those raised apart, to understand genetic influences.

What is the limbic system involved in?

It is involved in emotion, motivation, and memory.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

It is essential for learning and memory.

What does the amygdala process?

It is involved in emotion processing, particularly fear and aggression.

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

It regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic systems.

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

It is the master gland of the endocrine system that regulates other glands.

What is the role of neurotransmitters?

They are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for?

It controls involuntary bodily functions.

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

It activates the body's resources during stress and emergencies.

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

It conserves energy and restores the body to a calm state.

What is the definition of consciousness?

The awareness of internal and external stimuli.

What is the refractory period in neural activity?

A period immediately following stimulation during which a nerve or muscle is unresponsive to further stimulation.

What is the all-or-nothing principle in neural transmission?

The rule that neurons are either on or off.

What are depressants?

Substances that reduce neural activity and slow body functions, like alcohol.

What is alcohol classified as?

A depressant that is commonly used and socially accepted but can impair reasoning and motor skills.

What characterizes REM sleep?

A sleep stage marked by rapid eye movement and dreaming; brain waves are similar to wakefulness.

What is REM rebound?

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation.

What is insomnia?

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

What is narcolepsy?

A disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep.

What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

A sleep disorder where individuals act out vivid dreams with physical movements.

What is sleep apnea?

A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

What is somnambulism?

Sleepwalking, typically occurring during deep sleep.

What are hallucinogens?

Drugs that cause perceptual distortions and heightened sensory experiences.

What is marijuana classified as?

A commonly used hallucinogen that also has some depressant and stimulant effects.

What are opioids?

Drugs that act on the nervous system to relieve pain; includes heroin.

What is heroin?

An opioid drug that causes euphoria but is highly addictive and dangerous.

What does the Activation-Synthesis theory suggest about dreams?

Dreams are caused by the brain's attempt to make sense of neural activity during sleep.

What are psychoactive drugs?

Substances that affect the mind, altering consciousness, perception, or mood.

What are agonists?

Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter.

What are antagonists?

Drugs that block the action of a neurotransmitter.

What are reuptake inhibitors?

Drugs that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, increasing their levels.

What does the Consolidation Theory state about dreams?

Dreams help to cement memories and learning.

What is tolerance in relation to drug use?

A condition in which more of a drug is needed to achieve the same effect.

What is addiction?

A psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance.

What is withdrawal?

Symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing intake of a drug to which one has become addicted.

What is memory consolidation?

The process by which temporary memories are converted into a stable form.

What are stimulants?

Drugs that increase brain activity, such as caffeine and cocaine.

What is caffeine?

A mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, and some sodas.

What is cocaine?

A powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

What is the Restoration of Resources theory?

The theory that sleep helps to restore physical and mental resources depleted during wakefulness.

What is sensation?

The process by which sensory receptors receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.

What is transduction?

The conversion of one form of energy into another, particularly in sensory processing.

What is the retina?

The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye.

What is a blind spot?

The point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye, creating a 'blind' spot because no receptor cells are located there.

What are ganglion cells?

Neurons that relay information from the retina to the brain via the optic nerve.

What is the fovea?

The central focal point in the retina, around which the eye's cones cluster.

What is sensory adaptation?

Adjustment in sensory capacity after prolonged exposure to unchanging stimuli.

What does Weber's Law state?

To perceive their difference, two stimuli must differ by a constant proportion, not a constant amount.