Exam 2 Study Guide: Chapters 2 & 5 (Biological Psychology & Developmental Psychology)

These flashcards cover key concepts from Biological Psychology and Developmental Psychology, summarizing important terms and theories needed for exam preparation.

What are the three main parts of a neuron and their functions?

The three main parts are the dendrites (receive signals), soma (cell body, processes signals), and axon (transmits signals).

How do action potentials work?

Action potentials are electrical impulses that travel along the axon, triggered by changes in the neuron's membrane potential.

Give examples of at least three neurotransmitters and their main functions.

Examples include serotonin (mood regulation), dopamine (reward and pleasure), and acetylcholine (muscle activation and memory).

What happens when neurotransmitter systems are imbalanced?

Imbalances can lead to mental health issues such as depression (low serotonin) or schizophrenia (high dopamine).

What are the central and peripheral nervous systems?

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system includes all other neural elements.

Differentiate between the somatic and autonomic systems.

The somatic system controls voluntary movements, while the autonomic system regulates involuntary bodily functions.

How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together in a 'fight-or-flight' response?

The sympathetic system prepares the body for action, while the parasympathetic system calms the body after the threat is gone.

How does the endocrine system interact with the nervous system?

The endocrine system releases hormones that can signal and influence neural activity and behavior.

What role do adrenal glands play in stress responses?

They produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that prepare the body for fight-or-flight during stress.

What methods are used to study the brain?

Methods include EEG (electroencephalography), fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), PET (positron emission tomography).

What are the key functions of the brainstem?

The brainstem controls basic life functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and sleep-wake cycles.

What are the key functions of the thalamus, reticular formation, and cerebellum?

The thalamus relays sensory information, the reticular formation regulates arousal, and the cerebellum coordinates movement.

What roles do the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus play?

The amygdala processes emotions, the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and hormones, and the hippocampus is crucial for memory formation.

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their major functions?

Frontal (decision-making), parietal (sensory processing), temporal (auditory perception), occipital (visual processing).

Where are the motor and somatosensory cortex located and what do they control?

The motor cortex is at the back of the frontal lobe (controls voluntary movement) and the somatosensory cortex is at the front of the parietal lobe (processes tactile information).

Why are association areas important for higher mental functions?

They integrate information from different modalities and are crucial for complex processes such as reasoning and planning.

What is brain plasticity, and why is it stronger in children?

Brain plasticity is the ability of the brain to reorganize itself; it is stronger in children due to their developing neural networks.

What happens in split-brain research?

Split-brain research examines how the two hemispheres of the brain operate independently when they are disconnected.

What are the main stages of development across the lifespan?

The stages include prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood.

What are the main stages of prenatal development?

The stages are zygote (fertilized egg), embryo (developing organism), and fetus (developing human).

What is a teratogen, and what are some examples?

A teratogen is an agent that causes malformation of an embryo; examples include alcohol and certain medications.

What reflexes are newborns born with?

Newborn reflexes include rooting, sucking, grasping, and the Moro reflex.

How do researchers study newborn abilities?

Researchers use methods such as habituation and looking time to observe newborns' responses and preferences.

How does neural pruning and growth occur in early years?

Neural pruning eliminates unused synapses, while growth enhances neural connections based on experiences.

What are Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development?

The stages are sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.

Define object permanence and conservation.

Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not visible; conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape.

What did Harlow’s monkey studies show about attachment?

The studies showed that infants bond with caregivers for comfort and security, not just for nourishment.

What is secure vs. insecure attachment?

Secure attachment is marked by trust and stability, while insecure attachment involves anxiety and avoidance.

What are Baumrind’s three main parenting styles?

The styles are authoritative (responsive and demanding), authoritarian (demanding but not responsive), and permissive (responsive but not demanding).

What happens during puberty?

Puberty is marked by physical and hormonal changes leading to sexual maturity.

How does brain development continue in adolescence?

Brain development involves ongoing maturation of structures, enhanced connectivity, and pruning of unused pathways.

How did Piaget and Kohlberg explain changes in thinking and morality in adolescence?

Piaget noted that cognitive development leads to abstract thinking, while Kohlberg identified moral reasoning stages that evolve during this period.

Which stage corresponds to adolescence in Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages?

The stage of identity vs. role confusion corresponds to adolescence.

What is emerging adulthood, and why is it considered a new life stage?

Emerging adulthood is the period from late teens to mid-20s, marked by exploration of identity before taking on adult roles.

How do physical, cognitive, and social changes occur in adulthood?

Changes in adulthood include gradual physical decline, cognitive development, and evolving social relationships.

What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in aging research?

Cross-sectional studies compare different age groups at one time, while longitudinal studies track the same individuals over time.