Psych It Up! - Unit 1

psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes

nature-nurture issues

debate over genes versus environment

natural selection

traits helping survival are passed on

evolutionary psychology

study of behavior through evolution

behavior genetics

study of genes and behavior

mutations

random changes in DNA

environment

surroundings and experiences affecting someone

heredity

passing traits through genes

genes

DNA units that determine traits

genome

complete set of genetic information

identical twins

twins from one fertilized egg with same DNA

fraternal twins

twins from two different eggs with different DNA

interaction

combined effect of genes and environment

psychoactive drugs

chemicals that affect the brain and behavior

substance use disorders

harmful dependence on drugs or alcohol

depressants

drugs that slow body functions

tolerance

needing more of a drug for the same effect

addiction

compulsive need for a substance or behavior

withdrawal

unpleasant symptoms after stopping a drug

barbiturates

depressants causing relaxation and sleepiness

opioids

pain-relieving drugs producing euphoria

stimulants

drugs that increase alertness and energy

hallucinogens

drugs that distort perception and reality

near-death experience

unusual experiences during close encounters with death

biological psychologists

psychologists studying brain and body links to behavior

biopsychosocial approach

approach combining biological, psychological, and social factors

levels of analysis

different ways to examine behavior

neuroplasticity

brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt

lesion

damaged brain tissue

EEG

test measuring brain electrical activity

MEG

scan detecting magnetic brain activity

CT

X-ray brain imaging scan

PET

scan showing brain activity using radioactive tracers

MRI

detailed brain imaging using magnets

fMRI

MRI showing brain activity and structure

neurogenesis

creation of new brain cells

corpus callosum

nerve fibers connecting brain hemispheres

split brains

condition after corpus callosum is cut

consciousness

awareness of ourselves and surroundings

cognitive neuroscience

study of brain activity linked to thinking

dual processing

information processed consciously and unconsciously

blindsight

responding to visual stimuli without awareness

parallel processing

processing many things at once

sequential processing

processing one thing step-by-step

sleep

natural state of reduced awareness and activity

circadian rhythm

body’s 24-hour biological clock

REM sleep

dream-heavy sleep with rapid eye movement

alpha waves

relaxed brain waves during wakefulness

NREM sleep

non-REM stages of sleep

hallucinations

false sensory experiences

hypnagogic sensations

feelings experienced while falling asleep

delta waves

slow brain waves during deep sleep

SCN

brain region controlling circadian rhythms

insomnia

ongoing difficulty sleeping

narcolepsy

disorder causing sudden sleep attacks

sleep apnea

disorder with interrupted breathing during sleep

REM sleep behavior disorder

acting out dreams during REM sleep

dreams

sequences of images and thoughts during sleep

REM rebound

increased REM sleep after deprivation

reticular activating system

brain network controlling alertness

brainstem

oldest brain region controlling basic survival functions

medulla

brainstem area controlling heartbeat and breathing

spinal cord

pathway carrying signals between brain and body

pons

brainstem area helping regulate sleep and movement

cerebellum

brain region controlling balance and coordination

hippocampus

brain area important for memory

amygdala

brain region involved in emotion and fear

hypothalamus

brain region controlling body maintenance and hormones

thalamus

brain’s sensory relay station

pituitary gland

endocrine gland controlling other glands

basal ganglia

brain structures involved in movement

substantia nigra

brain area linked to movement and dopamine

serotonin

neurotransmitter affecting mood and sleep

dopamine

neurotransmitter linked to reward and movement

norepinephrine

neurotransmitter involved in alertness and arousal

GABA

neurotransmitter that reduces neural activity

endorphins

natural chemicals reducing pain and stress

glutamate

major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter involved in muscle action and memory

substance p

neurotransmitter involved in pain signals

prefrontal cortex

brain area for decision

anterior cingulate cortex

brain region involved in emotion and attention

limbic system

brain system involved in emotion and motivation