Untitled Flashcard Set

Heredity

The predisposed characteristics which influence an individual’s physical, behavioral, and mental traits and processes.

Environment

The external factors that an individual experiences, such as a person’s family, friends, school, and other societal factors.

Evolutionary Perspective

Focuses on natural selection, the passing down of genes, and how many of our behaviors and mental processes actually come from our ancestors.

Eugenics

Improving the genetic quality of the human population by promoting the reproduction of individuals with desirable traits and discouraging or preventing reproduction among those with traits deemed undesirable.

Heredibility

A mathematical measure to estimate how much variation there is in a population related to its genes.

Epigenetics

Examines how the environment and a person’s behaviors affect a person’s genes and how they work.

Plasticity

When the brain changes and builds new neural pathways in response to a person’s experiences.

Twin Studies

Research methods that study the effects of heredity and environment on twin siblings.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Integrates information from different body systems using the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Includes skeletal muscle movements and five senses.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary activities.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living organisms.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body for action (fight or flight).

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and restores the body to resting state.

Afferent Neurons (Sensory Neurons)

Send signals from the sensory receptors to the CNS.

Efferent Neurons (Motor Neurons)

Send signals from the CNS to the PNS.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron.

Dendrites

Receive chemical information from adjacent neurons.

Axon

Carries a signal away from the soma to the neuron’s terminal branches.

Synaptic Cleft

The space between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that help with signal transmission and protection.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action.

All-Or-Nothing Principle

States that a neuron will only fire if the threshold is met.

Refractory Period

The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse.

Acetylcholine

Enables muscle action, learning, and helps with memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that helps with movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that impacts hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood.

Endorphins

Chemical messengers that help with pain control.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps with sleep and movement.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Psychotropic Drugs

Substances that affect an individual's perception, mood, or consciousness.

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity, increasing alertness and energy.

Depressants

Substances that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Hallucinogens

Substances that cause sensory distortions and alter perceptions.

Agonist Drugs

Drugs that enhance the effects of neurotransmitters.

Antagonist Drugs

Drugs that inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance.

Limbic System

A complex system involved in emotion, memory, and behavior.

Thalamus

The brain's relay station for sensory information except for smell.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and is involved in hormonal control.

Hippocampus

Crucial for the formation of new memories.

Amygdala

Involved in emotional processing, particularly fear.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level thinking.

Frontal Lobes

Regions of the brain involved in executive functions and higher-level thinking.

Temporal Lobes

Regions of the brain responsible for processing sounds and language comprehension.

Parietal Lobes

Regions involved in spatial awareness and sensory processing.

Occipital Lobes

Regions of the brain responsible for visual processing.

Phineas Gage

A famous case study that illustrated the role of the frontal lobes in personality.

Split-Brain Research

Studies showing lateralization of brain functions by severing the corpus callosum.

Lesion Studies

Studies involving the destruction of specific brain areas to observe effects.

Cognitive Development

How an individual’s skills and thinking change over time.

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

The framework that describes how children develop cognitive abilities in stages.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that individuals learn behaviors through observation and interaction with others.

Attribution Theory

Explains how people interpret causes of behavior.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and ignore situational factors in evaluating others' behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or attitudes.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules that dictate acceptable behavior in a society.

Conformity

The tendency of individuals to change their behavior to match the responses of others.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present.

Coping Strategies

Methods used to manage stress and emotional reactions.

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of what makes life worthwhile and fulfilling.

Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders

The process of identifying mental health issues based on symptoms.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Anxiety Disorders

Disorders characterized by excessive fear or anxiety.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Disorders that originate in the developmental period and can affect physical and cognitive functioning.

Depressive Disorders

Conditions characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Personality Disorders

A group of mental health disorders characterized by unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behavior.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A chronic anxiety disorder characterized by excessive worry about a variety of topics.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thought, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self.

Trait Theories

Theories that focus on measuring and identifying enduring personality characteristics.

Big Five Personality Traits

A model that identifies five core dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism.

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

A theory that explains how people are persuaded, focusing on the central and peripheral routes.

Self-Determination Theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of intrinsic motivation in driving behavior.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Suggests that behavior arises from physiological needs that cause tension.

Arousal Theory

Focuses on the relationship between arousal and performance.