PSYCH 1.1-1.3

Evolutionary Perspective

the 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

the process by which 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.(It explains how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time in response to environmental pressures.)

Nature “Genes”

are the inherent biological and genetic factors that influence an individual's psychological development, traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities.

Traits inherited from parents (like eye color)

How our brain is structured

Our natural temperament (like being shy or outgoing)

How smart we are

Our chances of having certain mental health conditions

Basic instincts we're born with (like crying when we're hungry)

Genetic disorders that affect our behavior or thinking

Nurture “Environment”

the environmental influences and experiences that shape an individual's psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive processes.

Early childhood experiences

Parenting styles and methods

Social relationships (friendships, family dynamics)

Surrounding culture (cultural norms, societal expectations)

Educational opportunities and experiences

Socioeconomic status and access to resources

Exposure to media and technology

Life events and significant experiences

Twin Studies

Examines similarities and differences between identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to assess the relative influence of genetics and environment on traits and behaviors.

Adoption Studies

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

Family Studies

Analyzes 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

the transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring.

Heritability in psychology helps us figure out how much of our traits come from our genes and how much comes from our environment.

Genetic Predisposition

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

Here's a list of some traits and behaviors that research suggests people may have a genetic predisposition for:

Anxiety disorders

Depression

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia

Alcoholism and substance use disorders

Autism spectrum disorders

Intelligence

Personality traits (e.g., introversion/extroversion)

Aggression or impulsivity

Obesity and body weight regulation

Risk-taking behavior

Chronic pain conditions

Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia)

Sensory processing sensitivity (e.g., sensitivity to sounds or textures)

Eugenics

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

This concept has historically been associated with discriminatory practices, including forced sterilization and selective breeding, based on flawed ideas of racial superiority and genetic determinism.

central nervous system

houses the brain and spinal chord, its job is to interpret all the info that comes in and send out orders to the body. “Control Center”!! Once the message is sent from your cntral nervous system, it goes into the peripheral nervous system(PNS).

the brain and spinal cord

peripherial nervous system(PNS)

acts as your messanger. it carries info in and out of your central nervous sytem. it includes 2 importante systems.

sensory and motor neurons

1-Somatic nervous system

controls voluntary movements of muscles like typing and walking.

the division of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles.

2- Autonomic nervous system

controls autonomic(involuntary) Functions like breathing, heartbeat, disgest.

division of the PNS that controls automatic functions such as breathing and your heart

Automomic nervous system has 2 systems in it

sympathic and parasympathetic nervous system

Synpathetic nervous system

prepares your body for action, stress, or emergencies

*fight or flight response.

fight or flight; arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

Parasympathic nervous system

calms your body down

*stores homostaisis

rest and digest; calms the body, conserving its energy

Neurons

transmit info

the basic unit in which the entire brain and nervous system are built.

Gilial cells

provide help with structure, insulation, communication, and waste transport.

provide nutrition and help protect neurons

reflex

A dedicated neural pathway that controls your reflex movements

Sensory, motor, interneurons ( the three types of neurons cluster into working networks)

Sensory Neurons( afferent)

carry incoming info from sense receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

neurons that carry incoming information from the body's tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Moton Neurons

carry info from the brain and spinal chord out to the muscles and glands.

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Interneurons

communicate within the brain and spinal cord and process info b/w the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

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

how can a signal be fired

to be fired- an action potential must be reached

resting potential

postive ions waiting to enter a polarized neuron

when and outside stimulus, like banging your leg occurs the positive ions go in the neuron then action potential occurs

what is depolarization

for another action potential to occur you have to wait.

a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired

where a neuron cannot fire. prevents one signal from combining with another

refractory period

dendrites

recieve signals from previous neurons.

branching extensions that recieve messages from other cells.

soma

houses the nucleus of the cell.

which it signals into axon

axon

bits of myelin shealth, that’s what’s its insulating.

passes messages away from the cell body to other neuron muscles or glands

Nodes of Ranvier

groups b/w myelin sheaths »».

axon terminal

the small, swollen end of a nerve fiber where an electrical signal is converted into a chemical message to communicate with other cells.

signals release a neurotransmitter

NEUROTRANSMITTER——-pushes neuron’s “accelorator”, makes a neuron more likely to reach action potential or pushes neuron’s “brakes”, makes a neuron less likely to reach action potential

dopamine - neurotransmitter

• movement, learning, attention, and emotion

• oversupply → schizophrenia

• undersupply → parkinsons

when there is reward, motivation

serotonin- neurotransmitter

• mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

• 90% found in stomach

• undersupply → depression

norepinephrine-neurotransmitter

• alertness and arousal

• releases glucose

• undersupply → depressed mood

• found in adrenal glands

endorphins- nerotransmitter

natural pain relievers and mood enhancers.natural pain relievers and mood enhancers

myelin sheath

a fatty tissue layer that covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

nervous system

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the PNS and CNS

a neural impulse; a brief electrical change travels down an axon

action potential

threshold

a level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

all-or-none-response

a neurons’ reaction of either firing or not firing

dendrites

what is structure A?

axon

what is structure B?

cell body

what is structure C?

node of ranvier

what is structure D?

myelin sheath

what is structure E?

terminal branches

what is structure F?

excitatory signal/neurotransmitter

pushes neuron’s “accelorator”, makes a neuron more likely to reach action potential

inhibitory signal/neurotransmitter

pushes neuron’s “brakes”, makes a neuron less likely to reach action potential

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Acetylcholine (Ach)- NT

enables muscle movement and memory

• enables muscle action, learning, and memory

• undersupply → Alzheimer’s

dopamine- NT

when there is reward, motivation

• movement, learning, attention, and emotion

• oversupply → schizophrenia

• undersupply → parkinsons

serotonin-NT

regulates mood, sleep and appetite

• mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

• 90% found in stomach

• undersupply → depression

epinephrine-NT

• energy and memory formation

• fight or flight

• in adrenal gland

norepinephrine-NT

• alertness and arousal

• releases glucose

• undersupply → depressed mood

• found in adrenal glands

GABA-NT

the main inhibitory neurotransmitter

• major inhibitory neurotransmitter

• calms the CNS

• natural tranquilizer

• undersupply→ seizures

Glutamate-NT

the main excitatery neurotransmitter. its important for learning and memory

• major excitatory neurotransmitter

• opposite of GABA

• oversupply → migraines

Substance P-NT

carries pain messages

• pain perception

• oversupply→ chronic pain

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity

alcohol, sedatives, benzodiazepines, opiates

barbituates

drugs that suppress the CNS; reduce anxiety and impair memory and judgement

opioids

depress neural activity, temporarily reducing pain and anxiety

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines

hallucinogens

drugs that distort perception and evoke sensory images w/o sensory input

LSD & marijuana

agonist

binds to receptor sites and mimics the effects of a specific neurotransmitter

antagonist

antagonist

reuptake inhibitors

block reabsorption of neurotransm leaving more neurtranmitters in the synpatic cleft. .

Hormones

are similar to neurotransmitters except they travel through the bloodstream

adrenline

triggers fight or flight by increasing heart rate and energy

leptin

signals safety and reduces appetite

Ghrelin

stimulate hunger

melatonin

regulates sleep-wake cycles

oxyton

promotes bonding, trust, and social connection