1/81
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
Evolutionary Perspective
Study of how psychological traits & behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival & reproductive success. (flight or fight)
Natural Selection
Process by which organisms w/ traits that are better suited to their environment = more likely to survive & reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to future gens (traits/behaviors have evolved overtime in response to environmental pressures)
Nature “Genes”
Inherent biological & genetic factors that influence an individual’s psychological development, traits, behaviors, & cognitive abilities.
Nurture “Environment”
Environmental influences & experiences that shape an individual’s psychological development, behaviors, & cognitive abilities.
Twin Studies
Examines similarities & differences b/w identical (monozygotic) & fraternal (dizygotic) twins to assess the relative influence of genetics & environment on traits & behaviors.
Adoption Studies
Investigates similarities b/w adopted children & their biological adoptive families to assess the impact of genetics vs. environment on various traits & behaviors (nature vs. nurture)
Family Studies
Analyzes similarities & differences b/w strong family members, including parents & siblings, to understand the interplay of genetics & environment in shaping traits & behaviors within a family unit.
Heredity
Transmission of genetic info from biological parents to offspring. Helps figure out how much of our traits come from our genes & how much comes from our environment.
Genetic Predisposition
Inherited likelihood of developing specific traits/conditions due to genetic factors from biological parents.
Eugenics
Belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits & decrease undesirable ones.
Cerebral Cortex
Outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including perceiving, & decision making.
Highly folded to increase its surface area, allowing for complex neural processing & integration of info.
Lobes of the Brain
4 main regions/sections which cerebral cortex (outer layer of brain) is divided. Inc frontal, parietal, temporal, & occipital lobes
Association Area
Parts of the brain that take info from all over the place (what we see, hear, smell, & touch) & put together to help us understand the world around us.
Frontal Lobes
Located at the front of the brain, they are involved in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, & personality expression.
Prefrontal Cortex
Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions & executive functioning (set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, regulate emotions, & manage time efficiently)
Motor Cortex
Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing, & controlling voluntary movements of the body.
Sends signals to the muscles, enabling us to perform actions such as walking, talking & grasping objects.
Parietal Lobes
Located @ top of brain, responsible for processing sensory info from the body, such as touch, temperature, & spatial awareness
Somatosensory Cortex
Region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from skin, muscles, & joints.
Interprets touch, pressure, temperature, & pain signals from diff. Parts of the body, allowing us to perceive & respond to sensory stimuli.
Occipital Lobes
Located at the back of the brain, responsible for processing visual info received from the eyes.
Contains primary visual cortex (interprets visual stimuli & helps us perceive shapes, colors, & motion)
Temporal Lobes
Located on the sides of the brain, involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, & memory formation.
Contain auditory cortex (interprets sound signals from the ears).
Corpus Callosum
Thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left & right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication & info sharing b/w 2 hemispheres.
Brainstem
Oldest & most primitive part of the brain, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions (breathing, heart rate, & sleep-wake cycles)
Serves as a pathway for neural signals traveling b/w brain & rest of body, connecting the cerebral cortex → spinal cord.
Medulla
Vital structure located @ base of brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure)
Serves as relay station for nerve signals traveling b/w brain & spinal cord, controlling involuntary bodily processes crucial for survival.
Reticular Activating System
Network of neurons located in brainstem that plays critical role in regulating arousal, attention, & consciousness
Filters sensory info & modulates overall brain activity, helping maintain wakefulness & alertness
Cerebellum
Located @ back of brain, below cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, & posture
Receives input from sensory systems & other parts of brain to ensure smooth coordination
Limbic System
Located beneath the cerebral cortex, set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, & motivation.
Reward System
Located in limbic system, network of brain structures that processes pleasurable experiences & reinforces behavior associated w/ them
Thalamus
Relay station in brain that processes & relays sensory info (sight, sound, touch, & taste) → cerebral cortex
Gateway for sensory input, directing signals → appropriate areas of brain for further processing
Hypothalamus
Small but powerful structure located below thalamus, responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions (hunger, thirst, body temp, & sleep-wake cycle)
Control center that helps maintain homeostasis in body
Pituitary Gland “Master Gland”
Small pea-sized gland located @ base of brain, plays central role in regulating hormone production & secretion throughout body
Plays key role in coordinating hormonal activity & maintaining homeostasis in body
Hippocampus
Curved structure located w/in the brain’s temporal lobes, responsible for forming & consolidating new memories.
Amygdala
Small, almond-shaped structure located deep w/in brain’s temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions (esp fear & aggression)
Plays central role in brains threat detection system, triggering body’s fight-or-flight response in response to perceived danger
Nervous System
Body’s communication network, consisting of a complex system of nerves, neurons, & specialized cells.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Consists of the brain & spinal cord. Serves as command center of body, responsible for processing info, coordinating responses, & regulating bodily functions.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Consists of all the nerves & ganglia outside the brain & spinal cord. Serves as a communication network, transmitting sensory info from the body → CNS.
Autonomic Nervous System
Division of the PNS that regulates involuntary bodily functions. Operated automatically, w/o conscious control.
2 main branches: sympathetic nervous system & parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
Responsible for activating the body’s “fight or flight” response in times of stress/danger.
Inc heart rate, dilates airways, & redirects blood flow to essential organs, preparing the body to respond to perceived threats. (arousal)
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Responsible for promoting relaxation & restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger.
Slows heart rate, constricts airways, and enhances digestion, allowing the body to conserve energy and recover from stressors. (resolution)
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the PNS responsible for controlling voluntary movements & relaying sensory info from the body → CNS.
Neurons
Specialized cell that serves the building block of the nervous system, transmitting electrical & chemical signals throughout the body.
Consists of 3 main parts: cell body (soma), dendrites, & axons.
Glial Cells
“Support cells” of the nervous system. Provide structural support, insulation, & nourishment to neurons.
Play essential roles in maintaining brain health & supporting neuronal function.
Motor Neurons
Nerve cells that transmit signals from the CNS (brain & spinal cord) to muscles, glands, & organs, initiation & controlling voluntary/ involuntary movements.
Receive commands from the brain/spinal cord & convey these signals to muscles, causing them to contract/relax.
Sensory Neurons
Specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory info from sensory receptors (such as those in skin, muscles, & organ) → CNS (brain/spinal cord)
Detect various stimuli, inc touch, temp, & environmental changes, & convert these stimuli → electrical signals that can be processed by brain
Interneurons
Nerve cells that serve as connectors w/in the CNS, relaying signals b/w sensory neurons & motor neurons.
Reflex Arc
Neural pathway that controls reflex actions allowing for rapid, automatic responses to sensory stimuli w/o conscious thought (primitive reflexes)
Detect stimuli & send signals → spinal cord. Interneurons relay this info → motor neurons, which trigger reflexive muscle/gland responses
Protect body & enable quick reactions to potential dangers
Neural Transmission
Process which neurons communicate w/ each other through electrical & chemical signals.
Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in neuron. (Min amount of stimulation necessary to produce response)
Action Potential
Brief electrical impulse that travels along axon of a neuron.
Occurs when neuron receives stimulus that causes inside of cell to become more pos charged than outside
All-or-Nothing Principle
Once neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, it will fire an action potential @ full strength
If stimulus = strong enough to trigger action potential → neuron will respond w/ full-strength impulse
If stimulus = below threshold -→ neuron will not fire an action potential at all
Depolarization
Phase of action potential where inside of neuron becomes less neg compared to outside due to influx of pos charged ions (sodium) through ion channels in cell membrane
Change in electrical charge triggers neuron to fire an action potential, initiating transmission of an electrical impulse along neuron’s axon
Refractory Period
Brief period following an action potential during which neuron is unable to generate another action potential
Period occurs bc neuron’s sodium channels = temporarily inactivated & cell membrane returns → resting state
Resting Potential
Stable, neg electrical charge that exists across cell membrane of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting signals
Maintained by unequal distribution of ions, w/ more sodium ions outside cell & more potassium ions inside
Reuptake
Process which neurotransmitters that have been released into synapse are reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron from which they were originally released.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Chronic autoimmune disease that affects the CNS, inc the brain & spinal cord.
Occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath (fatty substance that surrounds & insulates nerve fibers), causing inflammation & damage.
Myasthenia Gravis
Chronic autoimmune disorder that affects neuromuscular junction, where nerve impulses = transmitted to muscles
Occurs when immune system produces antibodies that block/destroy receptors for acetylcholine (neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction)
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that transmit signals b/w neurons, allowing for communication w/in nervous system
Released from presynaptic neurons → synaptic cleft, where they bind to specific receptor sites on postsynaptic neurons, initiating/inhibiting a neural impulse
Glutamate
Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, playing a key role in synaptic transmission & neuronal communication.
Involved in various brain functions, inc learning, memory, & neural plasticity (change function in response to stimuli)
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released by neurons that decrease likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.
GABA
Neurotransmitter that acts as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Promotes relaxation & reduces anxiety.
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, & movement
Dopamine pathways in brain = implcated in experience of pleasure & reward, making it a key neyrotransmitter in brain’s reward system
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, & stress.
Serotonin pathways in brain influence mood & emotional well-being, making it key for mental health.
Endorphins
Neurotransmitters produced by brain & CNS that act as nautral pain relievers & mood enhancers
Released in response to stress, pain, or intense physical activity, such as exercise or excitement
Substance P
Neurotransmitter involves in transmitting pain signals in nervous system
Binds to specific receptors on nerve cells in spinal cord & brain, where it amplifies pain signals & contributes to perception of pain
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in both the CNS and PNS.
Involved in muscle contraction, memory, & learning.
Hormones
Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to target cells/organs, where they regulate various physiological processes & behaviors.
Ghrelin “Hunger Hormone”
Hormone produced primarily by the stomach & small intestine that stimulates appetite & promotes hunger.
Its levels inc before meals & decrease after eating
Leptin
Hormone produced primarily by fat cells that regulate energy balance & appetite. Acts on the hypothalamus in the brain to suppress appetite & increase energy expenditure.
Melationin
Hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycle & circadian rhythms in body
Plays a curical role in maintaining body’s internal clock & ensuring restful sleep
Oxytocin “Love/Bonding Hormone”
Hormone & neurotransmitter that plays a key role in social bonding.
Involved in forming emotional connections, trust & intimacy
Adrenaline (“Flight or fight” Response)
Hormone & neurotransmitter that plays key role in body’s stress response
Adrenaline levels surge during times of stress, fear, or excitement, helping the body adapt to challenging circumstances
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter that functions both as a hormone & neurotransmitter in the body. Involved in “flight or fight” response, regulating arousal, attention, & stress.
Plays a critical role in increasing heart rate, blood pressure, & alertness during times of stress/danger
Plasticity
Brain’s ability to reorganize/adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, & environmental changes.
Through processes like synaptic pruning, sprouting of new connections, & changes in neural pathways, brain can adapt & rewire itself to regain lost functions/learn new ones.
Split Brain Research
Studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callosotomy, which disconnects the 2 hemispheres of the brain. Done as a treatment for severe epilepsy.
Contralateral Hemispheric Organization
Phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.
Sensory info received by one side of the body is processed by the opposite hemisphere of the brain.
Linguistic Processing
Complex cognitive processes involved in understanding & producing language.
Broca’s Area
Located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe. Responsible for speech production & language processing.
Plays a crucial role in the formation of grammatically correct sentences & coordination of the muscles involved in speech
Broca’s Aphasia
Language disorder caused by damage to the Broca’s area in the left hemisphere, often resulting from stroke/brain injury.
Have difficulty producing fluent speech & forming grammatically correct sentences.
Speech may be slow, effortful, & characterized by shortened phrases/words
Wernicke’s Area
Located in the left hemisphere, specifically in the temporal lobe. Involved in language comprehension & understanding spoken & written language.
Interprets the meaning of words & sentences, allowing individuals to comprehend & process language.
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Language disorder caused by damage to Wernicke’s area in left hemisphere of the brain, typically resulting from stroke/brain injury
Exhibit fluent speech but have difficulty understanding spoken & written language, as well as producing meaningful & coherent speech.
May use nonsensical/inappropriate words/sentences, making communication challenging.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain. Involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect & measure the electrical signals produced by newtons in the brain. Commonly used to diagnose/monitor various neurological conditions.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow/oxygen levels. Provides detailed images of the brain structure & function, allowing researchers to observe which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks/stimuli.
Lesioning
Research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging/destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals. Can be achieved through methods such as surgical removal, chemical injection, or electrical stimulation.