Master Psych

psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes

nature the contribution that genes make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

evolutionary perspective

the study of the evolution of the brain and the mind, using principles of natural selection

natural selection

the principle that the inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed onto succeeding generations

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to our experiences of the people and things around us

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parent to offspring

genes

the biochemical units of heredity

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism

nurture

the contribution that experience makes to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

eugenics

selectively breeding humans to promote certain characteristics

identical (monozygotic) twins

individuals that developed from a single fertilized egg that split into two, creating two genetically identical individuals

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs, and genetically no closer than ordinary siblings outside of sharing a prenatal environment

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

epigenetics

"in addition to" genetics, or the study of the molecular mechanism by which environments can influence genetic expression without changing the DNA

nervous system

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

nerves

bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk reflex

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs, divided into the sympathetic which arouses and the parasympathetic which calms

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system with the rest of the body

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles (also called the skeletal nervous system)

neurons

a nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system

cell body

the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus, the cell's life support center

dendrites

a neuron's often bushy branching extensions that receive and integrate messages, conducting impulses toward the cell body

axon

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles/glands

myelin sheath

a fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons, enabling vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron, the tiny gap created is called the synaptic cleft

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons, also playing a role in learning, thinking, and memory

reflex arc

a simple spinal reflex pathway consisting of a single sensory and motor neuron that communicate through interneurons

sensory or afferent neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body's muscles and sensory receptors towards the brain and spinal cord

motor or efferent neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord back to the muscles and sensory receptors

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord which communicate internally to process information between the two neurons

action potential

the neural impulse, or a brief electrical charge, which travels down the axon

all-or-nothing principle

the principle that when neurons either fire with a full-strength response or don't fire at all - no in between or varied strengths

depolarization

the process of the neuron losing the -70 charge and becoming positive

reuptake

the sending neurons process of reabsorbing the neurotransmitters

multiple sclerosis

the deterioration of myelin sheaths leading to diminished control and slower reaction time due to slow communication

neurotransmitters

chemical messages that cross the synaptic gap between neurons when released by a sending neuron that travels across the synapse and binds to receptor sites of the receiving neuron, influencing whether a neural impulse generates

excitatory neurotransmitters

molecules that increase a neurotransmitter's action

dopamine

a neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion - linked to schizophrenia

norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal

refractory period

the period after a neuron fires in which the neuron rests to return to the initial state or charge, not allowing more action potentials to occur

resting potential

the positive outside of negative inside charges of the neuron at a neutral state

threshold

the level of stimulation that is needed to trigger a neural impulse

myasthenia gravis

a neuromuscular disease that inhibits muscles from contracting due to ACh transmission being blocked

inhibitory neurotransmitters

molecules that inhibit or block the action or neurotransmitters

serotonin

a neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

glutamate

a major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory

endorphins

neurotransmitters that help feed either feelings of pain or pleasure

acetylcholine

a neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory

GABA

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

substance P

a neurotransmitter involved in pain perception and immune responses

hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

leptin

a protein hormone secreted by fat cells in the abdomen - STOPS you from eating

melatonin

a sleep-inducing hormone found in the hypothalamus

endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system composed of a set of glands and fat tissues that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

adrenaline

also known as epinephrine or a hormone that increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar

ghrelin

the hunger hormone - GRRRRR

oxytocin

a hormone that enables orgasm, labor contractions, lactation, and social support

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in the perception in mood of the individual

substance use disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance use despite disruptions in daily life

antagonist

molecules that inhibit or block a neurotransmitter's action

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

caffeine

a stimulant that increases alertness and wakefulness

cocaine

a powerful addictive stimulant derived from a plant that results in a rush of euphoria, confidence, and energy

methamphetamines

amphetamines that stimulate neural activity and result in euphoria, alertness, and energy

ecstasy

a street name for a type of methamphetamine that acts as a stimulant with mild hallucinogenic traits, leading to emotional elevation and disinhibition

opioids

opium and its derivatives, responsible for depressing neural activity temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

heroin

a type of opioid that results in a rush of euphoria and relief from pain, its synthetic counterpart morphine is used as a painkiller

addiction

an everyday term for impulsive substance use and sometimes dysfunctional behaviors that continue despite harmful consequences

agonist

molecules that increase a neurotransmitter's action

reuptake inhibition

drugs or molecules, typically stimulants, that block the reuptake of stimulants leading to an increase in energy from extra dopamine and serotonin

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

alcohol

a psychoactive substance that results in an initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory image

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

marijuana

a mild hallucinogen that contains THC, responsible for enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, and relaxation

LSD

an acid that acts as a hallucinogen by generating a visual trip

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of drug, requiring large doses before experiencing the same feeling

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress associated from discontinuing the addictive drug or behavior

biological psychology

psychology that focuses on the biological components (genetics, neural, hormones) of psychological processes

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

levels of analysis

the differing views from various points to analyze and phenomenon displayed

neuroplasticity

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood or damage, by reorganizing or by building new pathways with experience

EEG

a brain scan that measures the waves of electrical activity across the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp

MEG

a brain scan that measures magnetic fields from the neural activity

MRI

an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of soft tissue, showing the anatomy of the brain

CT

an imaging technique that uses x-ray photographs from different angles to construct a slice of the brain

PET

a technique used for detecting brain activity by tracking radioactive glucose in the brain

fMRI

a technique used for showing the blood flow in the brain, and therefore, showing function and structure

lesion

tissue destruction to the brain that occurs naturally or intentionally to experiment the effects

brain stem

the central core of the brain which begins at the end of the spinal cord into the cell and is responsible for autonomic survival functions

hindbrain

the medulla, pons, and cerebellum which directs essential survival functions such as breathing, sleeping, wakefulness, coordination, and balance

midbrain

atop the brainstem which connects the hindbrain to the forebrain, mainly responsible for controlling some motor movement but mainly transmitting auditory and visual information

forebrain

the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus which manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor movement